Say What?

Sometimes I am amazed at some of the language that comes out of people’s mouths. Often, if they are church-goers, I have asked, “Do you take communion with that mouth?” That usually causes them to pause and think.

I have been out looking for a car to buy. According to some car salesmen I talk to, there isn’t a bad car on the lot. They were all driven by old ladies who drove it to church. One actually tried that on me today. A few have felt compelled to add some crude language into their sales pitch with one of those, “this is between us men” winks. I smirk and let them know I am the new pastor at Cornerstone. After that they often gulp and refuse to make further eye contact. Not sure why.

And while car salesmen have often gotten a bad reputation for their stretching of the truth, many are good, upstanding, honest guys who want to help us find a car. But what about we people of faith? How does our talk and our walk go together? I once had a guy in my church who was just a great guy who taught class, worked with the youth, helped in worship. And then he entered into his “public life.” I was told often that as a coach he would talk down to the kids, curse at the umpires, and generally make a fool of himself.

Sadly, I’ve even had pastor friends who, when alone, would tell crude jokes, talk sensually about females, and think it’s OK. Paul Wetstone said, “Never separate the life you live from the words you speak.” Pretty clear. Right to the point, huh? But do we do it?

Luke 6:45 says, “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.”

I need to remind myself that nothing get’s past God. My speech, my actions, even my thoughts. And before I speak, I better be sure that my language not only pleases God, but glorifies Him as well.