Practice What You Preach, Sister!

A sweet little girl came running to me almost out of breath, said, “Mrs. Loyd the boys are cussing, all of them!” ALL OF THEM? What did that mean? 

EU'PHEMISM, n. Gr. well, and to speak. A representation of good qualities; particularly in rhetoric, a figure in which a harsh or indelicate word or expression is softened, or rather by which a delicate word or expression is substituted for one which is offensive to good manners or to delicate ears.

Dealing with youngsters and their words can be quite interesting, almost comical at times especially when they just “spit it all out” and begin telling on others and their parents. Children will repeat what they hear and most of the time it is during a time of the day when they feel most relaxed like during recess or at lunch. BUT……don’t we do the same? The more comfortable the setting, the more “words” come flowing that maybe, just maybe don’t need to flow. Before long a conversation has moved into criticism, gossip and downright rebellion against an authority in our lives. Oh me, we have ALL been guilty, right?

Too many words will bring too many problems to too many people! Be careful of your words!

The more we take advantage of getting to know our Lord, the more we will know and understand words we use and the ones we should discard from our mouths. I believe the most influential person in my life that helped me the most was Marlene Evans. If Mrs. Evans were alive today, she would turn me on her knee and beat me with a belt for the times I abuse my “words” and spit out a few euphemisms every now and then. I shiver to think of the Lord at my judgment. How are YOU doing?

It is just time to stop and begin thinking more on Godliness and less on the world wouldn’t you agree? I sat in my church during prayer meeting,Wednesday night thinking on the statement my Preacher said, “If we walk in the flesh, we will walk in false doctrine.” What a spiritual truth! I do not want to be tempted to go astray in doctrine, do you? It can happen if we lean toward the flesh. A little leaning will eventually cause us to fall!

Growing up in the 50’s and 60’s brings back memories of a certain kind of music, and you all know what I’m talking about……which is probably more conservative than much of what we hear even in our churches today. The lyrics to those songs will forever be in my memory bank not only because they were allowed in my home, but because I used to sing them. Some of the love songs are really beautiful but the enemy’s desire is to get our minds away from good to bad to worse. Be careful because you and I can be in a mess before we can blink an eye.

2Sa 12:14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.  

1.      Our words could open a door to the enemy and cause us to blaspheme, appearing as an enemy of Christ. Don’t give the enemy any room to move around and multiply his evil tongue by using our tongues!

Ro 16:17 ¶ Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

2.      Get out of there! Don’t look back, but run forward. God will lead you to truth!

Ro 16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

3.      Get in control of your mind. Get away from them before you are snatched away by false doctrine.

Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

4.      You know the Word of God! Get into it! Search it out and don’t be fooled. Make up your mind to stay with truth. Don’t be deceived! If you hang around it, you catch the smell of it and before long you are hooked. If you are “hooked” and read this, get “unhooked” by applying the Word of God. Mt 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.

5.      Get in Truth! The Word of God is Truth and will expose untruth. Think in terms of scripture. Speak scripture. Live scripture. Become scripture.

The euphemisms children use are our euphemisms, aren’t they? They have enough to contend with because of the world’s influence wouldn’t you agree? Words like dang it, OMG, Oh my gosh, darn it, crap, heck, etc. don’t really seem that bad but they are! May our children hear uplifting words as we “lift up” the name of Jesus. We desire for them to remember us for our good and not for our worldly speech.

Ok, Sharon…..practice what you preach, sister!!! Until next time, Lord willing!

Sharon