What I hear.

Communication is mainly about language and how it is used. For a truck driver you can use words/anacronymns like "DOT," "FMCSA," dispatcher, consignee, steers, drives, tandemns, "HOS," "bear" and "bear with a customer". The driver would know exactly what you are talking about. For teachers and students you say: detention, tardy, parent/teacher meeting, recess, or grades and they have the pictures in mind. For Pastors, words like confession, doctrine, absolution, worship, counseling and catechism, bring to mind all the hours that are spent each week in dealing with each one. Those in construction would know all about grade, pitch, slump, board feet, tensile strength and square footage. No matter what the profession, we all have our own jargon and language.

All too often, in some professions more than others, those words are accompanied by other words and language that is easy to say and be understood by all, even 4-year-olds. However, it grates on those not accustomed to hearing it and they are offended when they hear it. It is easy to find oneself following the examples of those around them and start using those very same words to fit in and get the point across. It is usually spoken to add some sort of emphasis or authority to what is said. Young people also think it makes them sound cool. Neither of those are true.

This gives us another area in which we can let our lights shine before men. James in chapter 3 of his Epistle writes: "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be."

It takes a great amount of attentive effort to work at this. The place to start is by first recognizing how guilty each of us is in not using proper language/words in our daily life. Turn to the Lord with a repentant heart and ask for his forgiveness. Also, be willing to ask for that same forgiveness of those we have offended by the loose tongue we exercised. Go forward in that forgiveness and challenge yourself to use words that flow from a heart that has been washed and made white with the blood of Jesus. It is a task that is not easy. But, it is worth the effort. People will recognize and be more willing to listen to sweet words of love than words that cut and grate.

I had an ex-sailor tell me one time that he had earned the right to use any kind of language he wanted to. My initial response to that was, "You will have to answer to the Lord for your language." Since then, I have come up with another response: "You have also earned the right to not use that language." Take some time and think of what you might say to those who use harsh language around you. But first, be an example to them by the language you use/don't use on a regular basis. Then they might be more willing to listen to your admonition and guidance.