When a grandchild gives instruction, I listen.
Our youngest
grandchild celebrated his second birthday this year. Though he was slow
beginning to talk, he has caught up nicely. Over the last few weeks, he
has begun talking in sentences-which has made his grandparents' job a
little more difficult as we try to understand what he's saying. From the
beginning, we taught him not to say "shut up." "Hush" was a better word
choice in our opinion.
Enter our mouthy Chihuahua who needs to be
told that numerous times each day. As I issued those instructions one
day, my grandson politely said, "No, you don't say dat word."
"What should I say," I responded.
"You say, 'Be quiet,'" he said.
Where he learns some of the things he says, we're not quite sure.
They don't come from us, his mother, or any television show he is
watching. Saying comical things just seems to be a way of life for him.
Then again, there are some things he picks up from media sources that we
wish he wouldn't.
One translation uses the word unwholesome
instead of foul or abusive. At first glance, I might associate this with
the third commandment: Do not misuse the name of the LORD your God.
(Exodus 20:7 NLT) In other words, don't cuss. But the instruction goes
much farther than four-letter words, so avoiding cursing won't let me
off the hook. And while I think more about bad actions grieving God's
Spirit, unwholesome language will do the trick also.
Speaking
words that reflect bitterness toward another person is unwholesome.
Gossiping will accomplish the same thing, whether what I say is true or
not. Some things are just better left unsaid. Processing anger in
unwholesome ways is also a part of the mix. As is just having a bad
attitude and letting my words reflect it so everyone else can see it
plainly as well.
Asking whether what I'm about to say is
necessary, true, and uplifting is a good place to start, but I can't
stop there. Examining the root source my words are arising from and
considering the words I'm acting out in pictures are important too. If I
don't get to the source, I'll keep saying "dat word."
What are
your words saying about you to others?
Prayer: Father, may the
words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing in
Your sight.
Martin Wiles
Hodges, South Carolina, USA
