Language: Is cursing bad?

With ministers on the news using G_ _ D_ _ _ _ from the pulpit and a popular preacher threatening to cut off a Presidential Candidates genitalia, it brings to mind how so many people have a bad impression of us Christians.

A while back, I was talking to another preacher here locally, whose name I will not mention. I knew he was a preacher, but he did not know that I was. He was cussing like a sailor. But when he found out that I was a preacher, his whole attitude changed, and he cleaned up his language. He is popular around here, and I was surprised that he acted that way while not behind the pulpit. Another man I was with told me that was why he did not go to church. When I reminded him that I don't talk like that, he said I was the exception.

Now, I am not perfect; I am far from it. Just the other day I was working in my shop with two of my sons, and smashed my toe with a sledge hammer. I let loose an impressive string of choice words that would have made any sailor proud. Yesterday, I caught one of the same sons cussing on the phone with one of his friends. I corrected him, and he said, "Dad, you cuss, and your a preacher. I didn't use one of the forbidden words."

And that proves my point. People are watching us Christians every day, and delight every time we screw up. The Pharisees make it even worse, as they project us as strict conformist that never sin. The Bible says "Do not let unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up, according to their needs..."

That explains itself. We are Christ's ambassadors on Earth. We are supposed to represent Him in every thing we do. Are you?

I heard a preacher say it this way once. " Imagine you are having a routine day at home. You receive a phone call from Jesus, telling you He will be at your house in five minutes to visit (kind of like a modern day Zacheauss). Would you run to the door in great anticipation and await your Lord's arrival, thrilled that He was coming? Or would you rush through the house, changing the TV channel to a Christian station, turn the radio to K-Love, close your kids room so He could not see the posters on the wall, and hide your DVD or CD collection?"

Well, which would you do? I challenge you today to make a commitment to represent Christ well in every thing you do. Of course, you can never be perfect, but you can live live to its fullest the best way you know how. That is what the Holy Ghost is here for: to teach you and show you how to live your life.

Can you do it, or is it too much trouble?

Jesse