Grace Through The Walk

"Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God's favor) to those who hear it."
Ephesians 4: 29

I wonder how in our society it has become almost a status symbol to use profanity.  People I have never heard cuss are now using this type language.  I really have to watch my own self that I do not get caught up in it.  Hollywood uses our God's name in vain all the time.  We just allow it by going to the movies, watching television programs that say it, and hanging around people who use it.  We condone it by our actions.  I believe there is a commandment that says "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain."  Exodus 20:7. 

So now the question is are we responsible for what we listen to?  Yes we are!  Remember when you were a kid and you sang the song "Oh be careful little eyes what you see, Oh be careful little ears what you hear, and so on.  There is a reason we should not listen to these things because it goes into our spirit.  I want the fullness of my God.  I want to walk in His grace.  I just do not think that can happen when I am filling my spirit up with cussing, negative talk, and junk that is not pleasing to God.  I know that means I have to leave a movie or change the channel in the middle of a show or even stop a friend when they curse or talk negative.  I hate that but I want that grace to overflow in my life so I will give it to others.

There are always going to be people in your life who will drive you crazy with their "oh poor, pitiful me."  If you have not filled up on the Word of God and looked at the grace He has given you, then you will not be able to help that person in need.  It does not mean you help them in their pity, you have to show them the truth.  They need you to extend the grace of God to them.  It is called walking out your salvation by helping those who need that touch of the Father through you.  If you just put junk in, all that will come out is junk. 

I remember my Popee.  He was the most incredible man I have ever known.  He never met a stranger, he was always happy, funny and he never used foul language.  His wife was very negative and was always sick.  So he messed around outside, planting a huge garden, tinkering with his tools and gadgets.  His yard was a always beautiful.  Popee was a worker.  When he got Alzheimer, he had times of being mean and he
cussed pretty bad.  All those years of living with his wife, the mean things she said and did was in his spirit.  She cussed at him and that was there too and probably when he worked around men they probably cussed around him.  So somewhere deep in his spirit man was this junk and it came out.  I know he had no control over it but it was still there. My Mom would pray over him and read the Bible to him and he would stop all that and be real sweet and gentle.  The Word of God was more powerful than that junk so it drove it out.  I never want to allow things into my spirit that will hurt me.

When I think about the different ways I act at different times, I can see it is all about who I was with or what I watched or what I listened to.  Music plays such an important part in our lives.  I have decided to only listen to Christian music as a whole.  I want that positive message going in.  I cannot understand why anyone wants to listen to music that cusses, talks about killing, rape or having sex.  It makes no sense to me.  God wants a people who like David are "a man after God's own heart."  Does this mean we have to be sinless?  No, but we are striving to please God in every aspect of our lives.  It is called "walking out my salvation."  Try listening to Christian music and reading reviews on a movie before you go see it.  I know it takes time to do all that but is it not worth it?  I want to share Jesus with others not only by my words, but also by my actions and lifestyle.  Everyday is a new beginning.  Take advantage of it!  Put Jesus first in your life and He will help you with that everyday walk.