By TONY HOSS
Words are like windows to the heart that reveal insight to our true character. The words we use are the core of who we are regardless of whether we are teachers, preachers, leaders, or liars, complainers, or gossipers. The Bible teaches that each of us will be judged according to the fruit we bear (Heb. 13:15; Gal. 5). We should understand that the speech we use is a form of bearing fruit.
James declares just how powerful the human tongue can be in doing either good or evil (James 3:1-12). Like a bit in the horse’s mouth, the rudder on a ship, or just a small fire, the tongue is a powerful tool given to us by God. Mankind must learn to control the tongue if we are to be pleasing to God.
Using the tongue properly is a great challenge. Jesus declared, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.” We learn from the words of Jesus that not using our tongues is as sinful as not using it properly. Christians have a responsibility to use their tongues to glorify God by declaring God’s Word truthfully.
The tongue can be a great source sin of and manifested in ways. Gossip, lies, foul language and profanity are a few. One often unrecognized way we fail with our tongues is the use of euphemisms. A euphemism is a substitution of an inoffensive or more pleasant term for one that is considered to be offensive, explicit or otherwise foul. However, we should realize that not all euphemisms are sinful. One example is when Jesus declared that Lazarus was sleeping (John 11:11). In our language today we may use terms like overweight or big-boned rather than fat. Others may refer to someone as follicle challenged rather than bald. There is nothing inherently sinful in these types of terms.
While some euphemisms present no real danger for the Christian there are some that do. Consider the following examples: an affair rather than adultery (Matt. 5:19), pro-choice rather than murder (Prov. 6:17), gay rather than homosexuality (Jude 1:7, Rom. 1:26-27).
Some people use euphemistic terms to socially legalize their foul and offensive language, consider a few: when using God’s name in vain some will use terms such as gosh and golly. In social media some use terms such as (omg) to evoke the name of God in an ungodly manner. However, God is to be honored and praised (Psalms 119:161, 67:3, 1 Peter 4:11, Rev. 19:5).
There are those who use so-called non-offensive words to swear, curse, or damn someone; these are unacceptable to the Child of God. (Romans 12:14). Some bless and curse with the same tongue; James declares that the Christian should not do so (James 3:9-12). Other euphemisms may include dang for damn, heck for hell. Space limits the examples that could be cited but the ones given should give us a good idea of what a Christian should never say. When in doubt about using terms perhaps we should consider the principles set forth by Paul. He said, “Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you” (Titus 2:6-8 KJV).
(Tony Hoss is minister at the Centerview Church of Christ, Elizabethton. He can be contacted at 423-737-2287 or e-mail: tmagho1@comcast.net )