Censor Ourselves for Christ (A Devotional on Not Cussing)

Date​

July 8, 2024 | Clean for Christ​

Verse​

Colossians 3:8 (NIV): "But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips."

Matthew 15:10-11 (NIV): "Jesus called the crowd to him and said, ‘Listen and understand. What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.’"

James 1:26 (NIV): "Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless."

James 3:3-10 (NIV): "When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be."​

Explanation​

These four passages from the Bible emphasize the importance of our words and their impact on ourselves and others. They provide guidance for thinking before speaking, taming our mouths, and avoiding profanity, as well as instructions for how we can conduct ourselves in a controlled, approachable manner to avoid judging harshly or offending others, especially within the context of preaching.

In Colossians 3:8, Christians are called to rid themselves of anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from their lips. This passage highlights that our words can be destructive if they contain negative emotions like anger or malice, which is why we should strive for a peaceful tongue.

Matthew 15:10-11 emphasizes the idea that it's not what goes into our mouths but rather what comes out of them that defiles us. This verse teaches us to be mindful of our speech and ensure it aligns with Christian values, as our words can have a profound impact on others.

James 1:26 reminds believers who consider themselves religious yet do not control their tongues that they are deceiving themselves, implying the importance of taming one's mouth to live authentically as Christians.

In James 3:3-10, the author uses various examples like horses and ships to illustrate how a small part can have a significant influence on the whole. The tongue is compared to a restless evil full of deadly poison, emphasizing its destructive potential. However, the passage also notes that other animals are tamed by mankind but no human being can tame the tongue—this suggests the difficulty in controlling our speech but the necessity of doing so as followers of Christ.​

Societal Relevance​

To apply these teachings in today's modern world, Christians should aim to practice self-control and patience before speaking, avoid cussing or offending others, and strive for humility when judging others. As preachers within the Catholic Church, it is essential to conduct oneself in a controlled, approachable manner that encourages rather than discourages others from following Christ's teachings. In fact, Jesus in Matthew 5:22 warns against calling others “fools”, or “raca”, as name calling is viewed just as bad as murdering someone according to Christ.

In summary, these passages remind us of our responsibility as Christians to use our words wisely and kindly. By taming our tongues, we can live authentically as followers of Christ and serve as a positive influence on those around us in the modern world.

For myself, I rarely cuss, but do struggle with judging others quickly. Lately, saying prayers has helped me judge others less, but this will probably be a lifelong journey. As our tongues are rudders, one small move can make a huge difference in how a person perceives us. Sometimes, for myself, people can be turned away from what I have said, as my thinking can be very polarized on a one-track mind or jump to conclusions before getting to know someone or even trying out something new. God can help though, as Jesus can guide us onto the right path. Because of my personality, things can be taken very literally for me, though nowadays, I am working on approaching life with more nuance.​