&%*$#@*&!

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.
James 3:9-10

In the past week I've heard two people use words I had never heard them use before. Don't get me wrong, it's not like I've never heard people swear before, it was just surprising and very uncharacteristic for these people so it's something that's been on my mind. I think about all of the little "substitutes" we (myself included) use to avoid using those "forbidden" terms. However, in my opinion, it's no better to use a substitute, since it still represents a carelessness and lack of control on our part. Think about it-- what are the most common reasons for swearing? Anger, frustration, and pain. Often, it also arises from a desire to fit in and be "accepted," as it did for me. While we do experience changing emotions, we don't have to let them rule us, and especially not our tongues. James talks about the tongue as the smallest member of our body, which also happens to be the hardest to control. In the same way that we control our bodies, and (usually) do not physically harm ourselves or those around us, we need to exhibit the same restraint on our language. Why? because foul language is a part of the world that we strive to separate ourselves from. We do not honor God in those moments, and that's anything but cool.

-AMR
check out today's devotional