by AIC Cresent Holiday
About once a week my 11 year and 15 year old sons come to see me during my prison visitation day. Though this is a difficult time in our lives, visitation brings much needed normalcy, lightheartedness and bonding for all of us.
Unable to attend church with them, I was delighted to hear my younger son announced that he had decided he was a Christian. Before I could ask any questions, my older son told him he couldn’t be because he cussed and that wasn’t very Christian of him. I was dismayed and even worse, I didn’t know how to respond. I assured my son that cussing didn’t stop one from being Christian, but I went to bed that night still troubled by my lack of an answer.
The next morning, still stumped, I turned to my Bible study. I came to 2 Corinthians 12:19;
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”
Despite our flaws, God is there. When we were still dead in our sins, God sent his Son to bear them. And when we err today, God still loves us and lets us turn to Him for forgiveness. We still stumble. We cuss. We make mistakes. We are weak. What is encouraging is God’s intent on forgiveness and our desire to follow His instructions.
After some consideration, my next conversation with my kids will look like this;
Language should be used to honor God and build others up. There is no need for harmful or unwholesome speech. Most curse words are associated with immoral acts, bodily functions, or private body parts, and can distract from the focus on positive values.
Honoring God’s gift of language: Language is a gift from God and should be used as such.
Focus on building others up: Ephesians (4:29) suggests that speech should be used for good, not causing harm or offense.
“Don’t use bad language.
Say only what is good and helpful to those you are talking to,
and what will give them a blessing.”
The potential for harm: Cussing is a way of expressing negativity and anger, and so easily create a harmful “domino” effect with others. How many times has this gone far beyond our intentions?
Focus on self-control and spiritual growth: How many times have we felt we needed to be heard, or maybe our vocabulary was so weak we needed shock value to get the point across? I need to seriously consider my lack of self-control and a need for spiritual growth.
Christians should use words that are full of grace, wisdom, truth, praise, and thanksgiving. I’m ready for my kids next visit!
“Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk.
Be gentle with one another, sensitive.
Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.”
Ephesians 4:32
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Notes from Dale:
OK, think about what you just read. Would it be helpful to adjust your impressions of a prisoner? How would you take next steps to do that?
You are invited to go into a facility with us! See for yourself who these folks are AND make new, personal discoveries. After that you can be sure doors open for new purposes!
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Your kids are lucky to have you. Thanks for sharing.