YOUR SPEECH!!!

"Put away perversity from your mouth: keep corrupt talk far from your lips". Proverbs 4:24.. My friend, be careful- I heard you!! "Garbage in- Garbage out" - Isn't it? The language we use reflects the attitudes of our hearts. As Christians our speech should be a testimony to our relationship with the Lord. According to God, what we say is important. Although some may not place much stock in their words, according to God, what we say is important. Our speech is an important part of His ideal for us. " It (tongue) corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell". James 3:5,6: Jesus put His finger on the crux of the matter when He told the Pharisees: "You brood of Vipers...For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks". Matthew 12:34. Jesus even went so far as to say that "men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned". Matthew 12:36-37. The question is "How then, should we speak?" New Testament offers a number of exhortation regarding our speech. Paul tells Christians to do away not only with obscenity but also foolish talk and coarse joking. Ephesians: 5:4. It is interesting that in Paul's mind filthy language followed close on the heels of anger, rage, malice, and slander". Colossians 3:8. " Let your conversation be ALWAYS full of GRACE, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone". Colossians 4:5-6. Hey hey, do you know that a large part of our witness to a watching world is our speech. The language of our surrounding culture is hard at times to screen out. Even the most guarded people can be influenced by speech of those around them. Be a careful gate keeper, Did you hear? That is not an excuse. Hey, you can refuse to listen to, read, or watch offensive material, can't you? You can say: "SAY WHAT? YOU NEED MOUTH WASH!!!" Can't you??