Nougat 19

Whether four letters or more, toxic words are dangerous to our spirits. Consider today’s Holy Nougat

“Don’t let any foul words come out of your mouth. Only say what is helpful when it is needed for building up the community so that it benefits those who hear what you say.” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭29‬ ‭CEB‬‬

“Who are you to judge someone else’s servants? They stand or fall before their own Lord (and they will stand, because the Lord has the power to make them stand).” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭14‬:‭4‬ ‭CEB‬‬

That which is neither helpful nor beneficial to the community can be seen as filthy lucre. Especially when it is criticizing or judgmental. I can’t speak for others of you, but I have been guilty of this even as I have had to rise above it. You see, as a hurting younger me, I mastered the art of cutting others down without swear words. I went for the jugular, sometimes with surgical precision.

And some of that was learned attitudes. There were teachers whose words cut deeper than any lashing. Role models – old and young – who used their wordsmith skills to shred the strongest egos. We were wounded souls, albeit believers. And soon, it was acceptable to master insulting and hurtful words. There was even a name for it among peers – we called it ‘carding’.

But what health is there in ridiculing the other? Does it reflect their need for Jesus or ours? For if our words don’t invite others to see Jesus within, maybe we are the ones in need of His mercy. When an adult deems a child ‘untouchable’ or ‘pariah’, tells them publicly that they are ‘low, so low that neither cockroaches nor rats wish to be near’ them, it remains on their psyche. And even the ‘cards’ we drew against each other intimated violence in immeasurable ways.

Those were foul words.

Moreover, we had not been given leave from God to judge or curse. Unfortunately it is spiritual, but that is not of God’s Spirit. Remember Miriam and Moses? She was banished and punished for a week. A worse fate met the children ridiculing Elisha and the soldier who assisted Saul commit suicide. I believe that this is one of the reasons Romans warns against bad mouthing another’s worker. Not ours to judge.

So that bit of gossip I want to share with you – foul language. Curse words to punctuate my story – filthy lucre. The insults hurled in anger yesterday – needs repentance. Just like the other rotten language mentioned. Lord help us all!

So Jesus

May the waters which flow from our lips be fresh and life giving, not foul and demeaning. I have been guilty of consciously tearing down rather than building up, even recently. Please forgive me.

Cleanse me dear God, fill me anew with Your Spirit. Heal those I have wounded. Restore them to Your love And please Jesus, help us break the cycles of oppressive words. Be glorified in our hearts and minds, in all our lives please Jesus.

Amen

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May all we seek be found in Christ