September 21, 2004
(ML #3505, GN 1094)
FD/MM/FM August 2004
ML #2891:90-95‚ Lifelines 21
90. (Mama:) I'm disappointed to hear about the dreadful language you teens have gotten in the habit of using. It's very sad to think that young people in our Family would be in the habit of swearing ’ using profanity! I wonder what your little brothers ' sisters think? Do you hear our adults speaking like that? I would certainly think not! And if not, then where do you get that kind of language?
91. I believe this drastic change in your language is also partly a result of System music, as judging from all I've heard about modern rock music, it's full of atrocious language, lots of swearing of the worst kind! Believe me, if you listen to that kind of input enough, either through System music or movies or whatever, then it's only natural that those words will come to your mind. And pretty soon they'll come out your mouth!
92. Such language is certainly not becoming of young ladies or gentlemen‚ but then maybe it surprises you to hear that we expect our young people to behave like ladies ' gentlemen. Good manners, courtesy, kind words, loving ' considerate language are all part of showing love, ' part of our sample of the Lord's Love. If I were you, girls, I'd tell those guys, your teen friends, that you don't want to hear their foul language ’ swearing, that it turns you off, it's gross ' disgusting, it's disrespectful‚ it makes you feel cheap. And as for your own language, girls, well, let me say that Grandpa would be very disappointed to hear our beautiful girls "talking dirty" ' using swear words. It's against our principles ' it greatly takes away from your beauty ' femininity, bringing you down to the level of the ungodly worldlings—but at least they don't know any better.
93. Granted, once in a while you might hear someone use a "cuss word" when saying something like‚ "Lord, damn these wicked enemies who are causing us so much trouble!" But that use of the word "damn" is very different from the type of swearing that is common to the people of the World. Maybe there would be rare occasions where you might use a swear word for shock value or to make a point or to become one to be able to relate to ' win others‚ like Grandpa did with the hippies. But swearing ' using the System's foul language in your casual conversations around our Heavenly Homes is a different thing entirely!
94. I want to assure you teens ' YAs that swearing is not the new "in thing" for our young people. In fact‚ you should be turned off by such vulgarity, ' ashamed of that kind of sample, knowing that such language is not what the Family is all about! So clean it up! From now on, that foul language is out!
95. If you've gotten in the habit of swearing, it might take a little while to break that habit. You may accidentally slip now ' then‚ ' when that happens I don't want you to feel under condemnation or like you're such a terrible, crude, awful person. There's a big difference between purposely, deliberately swearing, ' unintentionally saying something you didn't really mean to say. If you sincerely pray ' ask the Lord to help you, ’ you put forth a conscious effort to change, He'll come through for you ' eventually you'll be able to break those old bad speech habits. But in the meantime, if you blow it every now ' then ' say something you shouldn't‚ because you accidentally slipped back into this bad habit, please don't feel condemned. Just keep fighting! You teens ' YAs will need to try to help ' support each other in your campaign to purge this bad language from your conversations.
ML #3182:19-21, GN 787
19. (Dad: ) In movies, there's also foul language. You know foul language is bad. You know that I've talked about it in the Letters. You know that the Lord wants the words that come out of your mouth to be pure. You know that the Lord wants you to speak of the good things. You know that the Lord wants you to choose the good and eschew the evil. Still, with this constant input from movies, through the constant replaying of these words, this unloving speech starts to become a part of you.
20. If you hear foul words long enough, over and over again, they start coming out of your mouth before you even realize it. It starts to become a habit for you‚ too. At the very least, if they don't start coming out of your mouth, you start to lose your conviction for standing up for Godly ways of speech.
21. This foul language is garbage that defiles both you and those that hear it! And if you take it in continually on screen, you'll find yourself spewing it out in person, like that saying: "Garbage in, garbage out!" So avoid such language‚ and for God's sake don't use it yourself and spread garbage to others!
ML #3185, GN 790
1. (Mama: ) Speaking positively and in a way that glorifies the Lord is an area we could all probably use some improvement in‚ and the Lord has been pouring out some very good messages along those lines, asking us to make a push to be more on guard about our words.
2. This first message is from Dad about foul language. I've been very saddened to hear about the use of such distasteful language in some of our Homes, and I pray that those of you who are guilty will be convicted by this GN and go on the attack to cleanse your vocabulary—and your hearts. As Dad brings out, it's not merely a bad speech habit, but one which pollutes your spirit as well. That's rather sobering when you think about it.
3. Now, I'm not necessarily saying that all those of you who have been guilty of using bad language have serious spiritual problems, because maybe some of you haven't realized its negative effects. Maybe the Enemy has been telling you that speaking like this is just a way to assert your independence, shock people, or relieve your frustrations. What the Enemy doesn't tell you is that with it come many undesirable attitudes and spirits. Dad makes it clear that by speaking such words you are letting the Enemy in.
4. So if you've been slipping in this area—whether it has become a full–blown bad habit for you, or whether you've just begun compromising in this area by listening to it from your friends and occasionally participating—I suggest you take Dad's message to heart and desperately ask the Lord to help you, and go on the attack against it!
5. The Enemy might tell you that we're trying to take away your "freedom of speech"—which I know is very important to some of you, especially you young people. But let's talk about our freedom of speech for a moment. What are we here for? In other words, what have we dedicated our entire lives to accomplishing?—Isn't it sharing the Lord's love with others‚ and helping them to know Him? A quote that comes to mind is, "The only Bible the world reads is the one bound in shoe leather—you and me!" (ML #208:10).
6. If we're representing the Lord to the world, not to speak of representing Him to our own children and to our younger brothers and sisters, that should give us a good standard as to what we're "free" to do! Dad once said, "You're free!—Free to love the Lord and free to preach the Gospel!" We have freedom that the Lord has given us to serve Him and to make our burdens lighter. But He expects us to use that freedom for His glory. That's what we in the Family are dedicated to doing—lifting up Jesus and bringing others to Him. So if we have given our lives and blood, sweat and tears to something, it's naturally disturbing when we see it being torn down.
7. Well, that's what the Enemy is trying to do. Through this foul language that has entered our Homes, bringing with it more negative and worldly attitudes and spirits, he's trying to tear down our sample, disgrace us in the eyes of those we're supposed to be ministering to, and ruin the beautiful sample that our children and young people can be. Like Dad says, we're not going to stand for it in our Homes anymore, because it's tearing down the work of God!
8. So please, let's unite to rid our Homes of this foul language, and go on the attack with this positive speech revolution to speak loving, uplifting‚ Godly words that will edify others! Praise the Lord? I love you!
The State of Your Mouth Shows the State of Your Heart!
9. (Dad speaking:) Out of the abundance of the heart‚ the mouth speaketh. So if you're filling up your heart with good, encouraging, strengthening, faith-building thoughts from God's Word‚ then you're not going to have to worry about what comes out of your mouth. If you're filling your heart to the brim with good spiritual truths and jewels and fresh wonders from Heaven, then you won't have to worry about your words or your speech being contemptible.
10. Sad to say, I've been hearing some pretty contemptible words and foul language coming out of the mouths of some of you! Let me tell you, that shows what's in your heart and what you're allowing to abound in your spirit, and it's not a very good sign! If your intake is not what it should be—inspiring, uplifting, positive and edifying—then the words that come out of your mouth aren't going to be encouraging, uplifting or positive either!
11. I'm sorry‚ but it's time for me to put my foot down and tell you what I think about this foul language that has crept into our Homes and is slowly gaining control and getting out of hand. I hate it! God hates it! I won't stand for it‚ and neither will God!
12. You'd better be a whole lot more prayerful about what comes into your heart and what goes out of your mouth! If you've got a problem with spouting off unwholesome, vulgar, crude, degrading‚ negative, ungodly words, if this has become a habit for you, then you'd better get down on your hands and knees and desperately ask the Lord to set a watch over your mouth and help you to guard your thoughts and words!
Bad Language Is a Bad Reflection on the Family!
13. Folks in the System watch their words too. It's not polite nor courteous to use such words in most places or with most people. If you do, they're apt to look down on you as a lower–class lout without enough education and vocabulary to know how to speak properly!
14. Even Christians in the world won't stand for foul language, cussing and swearing. If those in the churches can have conviction about such an elementary lesson as not swearing but being polite and Godly in their speech‚ how much more should we? You are they unto whom much has been given—so much Word, so much counsel, so many riches from the spirit world, so many uplifting word pictures, and so much freedom. Therefore, much is required of you.
15. The Lord requires a lot of you, and right now He's requiring—and I'm requiring—that you quit being a reproach to the cause of Christ! This foul-mouthing has got to stop now! Not only are you being a bad sample of pure, simple Christianity, but you're also reflecting negatively on the Family.
Let the Lord Control Your Spirit and Your Tongue!
16. You're not ruling your own spirit. You're not being prayerful. You're not keeping your thoughts and words in subjection. You're not controlling your anger. You're actually following after the world and its ways when you speak as they speak, cuss as they cuss‚ swear as they swear, pull down as they pull down, and mock sweet, good things and people, just like they do!
17. Ultimately, either the Lord or the Devil has rule over your spirit‚ according to the choices you make and which one you want to yield to. You're choosing what you want to have rule in your life—the good or the bad. It's as simple as that. In the case of foul language, you need to start ruling your own spirit by letting the Lord have control. You need to rule your own spirit by choosing to let the Lord take hold of your tongue.
18. All you have to do is make the choice‚ determine in your heart that you want the Lord to rule over your tongue, and then ask Him for the willpower to stick to that decision. Then He will give you the power to overcome the bad habit of badmouthing and using foul, dirty language to criticize things, people and situations. But it's up to the individual to choose—you choose what you want to rule your life, and in this case what you want to rule your tongue. The best way you can rule your own spirit is by yielding your all to the Lord.
Are You Damning the Devil's Dirty Works, Or Speaking Like the System?
19. Probably some of you are thinking, "But Dad, we thought it was okay to use this kind of language. We're just following your example. You used to say 'Damn this' and 'Damn that.' You used to say 'shit' and it was okay for you, so why are you getting so heavy on us?"
20. I'll tell you what‚ the only time I used those kinds of words was when I was filled with the righteous anger of God! I would damn the church system! I would call the Devil's lies "shit"! I called a spade a spade‚ and I exposed the machinations of the Enemy for what they really were! The Enemy is full of shit‚ and I'll say it again and again! God damn the System! God damn the Devil! God damn this inroad that has almost become a part of some of our Family Homes—this inroad of bad language, filthy language, vulgar language, unedifying language that has just got to stop!
21. If I heard you Family kids damning the System and all of its wickedness‚ or if I heard you calling the Devil's lies shit instead of listening to them, I wouldn't be getting on your case! You have my permission to call the Goddamned System what you damned well please! You have my permission to call the Goddamned Devil what you damned well please! But if you use that sort of language, you'd better use it with a purpose, not just because you think it sounds cool to damn the System and you want to use these words to impress your friends.
22. The Devil and his whole System are going to Hell one of these days real soon‚ so I'd actually be happy if I saw some of you waking up to what the System is really all about! I'd be happy if you woke up to what the Enemy's devices really are—and that's so bad that one word couldn't even describe it adequately!
23. But instead of damning the System, you're going along with it, like blind little sheep. You're speaking like the Systemites do in the movies. You're speaking like the people you meet out in the malls. You're speaking like the people you meet out witnessing. You've brought this System lingo into our once pure, Heavenly Homes, and you're polluting the sanctuary of strength! You're polluting our havens of love and peace! Don't you see what you're doing? Don't you see what you're allowing in your own life? Don't you see what an effect you have on others?
24. The Lord has given us the freedom to use some of these words that the System considers foul when they're used in their proper context. In other words, we use the word "fuck" as the brief Anglo-Saxon equivalent of the term "having intercourse with." It's more precise than saying "making love," because that includes all sorts of various lovemaking acts, not just fucking, and it sure sounds a Heaven of a lot less fancy and intellectual than saying "intercourse" or "copulation" or some of the other words the System has for the act!
25. If you're using fuck in the right way, then it's a perfectly legitimate term—although you still wouldn't use it around outsiders! But if you tell someone "fuck you" or "fuck off" or "fuck" this, that or the other thing, that's the wrong use of the word‚ see? Outsiders use it as a curse word, or because they want to sound cool or because others are using it, and it's used in anger rather than in love. Use it in the right way, or don't use it at all. And for some of these other dirty words I'm talking about, there is no right way to use them. So just don't use them—period!
The Spirits and Attitudes That Accompany Foul Language!
26. The spirits and demons that tag along with foul language are many! Along with foul language comes the spirit of lethargy. If you're speaking in such a crude ungodly way, then you are obviously pretty lethargic in spirit and aren't at all concerned about how your actions or words affect those around you. You basically don't care about your own spirit or the spirit of others around you.
27. Foul language brings in a spirit of wishy-washiness, because you no longer have the conviction to stand up against any of the evils of the System! If you can't stand up and resist this one System attitude that is so blatantly wrong and so completely against the Lord and His ways, then how are you going to have the courage and guts to stand up against any other ungodly System way? Most of you who have let your guard down in this area of language and have begun using rotten words that stink and pollute no longer have the strength to keep your guard up in any other area of your life either.
28. Foul language brings with it a spirit of anger. Most of the time when you swear it's because you're angry, and therefore you're not controlling your spirit. When you swear and cuss, you're not allowing the Lord to cover your life and mind and thoughts and spirit with His perfect love. You're not allowing Him to give you the grace you need, when your brother or sister rubs you the wrong way or does something that hurts or offends you.
29. Instead of asking the Lord to help you and give you the grace to lovingly work out your differences, you snap back in this ugly way and pour out all of these ugly words that have built up in your vocabulary. Folks, this has got to stop!
30. Foul language also carries a real spirit of murmuring and unthankfulness. When something doesn't go your way or when you're faced with a disappointment, instead of looking to the Lord for His Romans 8:28, your first reaction is to blame the Lord, blame someone else, or murmur in your heart with your words. If you swear when something goes wrong‚ you're basically saying you know better than the Lord, and if you were Him you would do things differently!
One Day You'll Have to Give Account of Every Word!
31. This foul language is bad news, folks, and it's gotta stop! Period! That's all there is to it! If you want to live like a Systemite and talk like a Systemite and act like a Systemite, then you might as well be a Systemite! If you're going to cuss and swear like a Systemite, if you're going to mimic the Systemites and do as they do‚ then you might as well go out there and become one with them! You might as well go and walk around their little rut with them.
32. We're dropped-out revolutionaries, and this Family was built on the spirit of the Revolution! We're iconoclasts, idol-smashers! We want to smash the idols of the System, not help them carve them! This army is full of revolutionaries! This army is full of disciples! And revolutionaries and disciples don't pull down the other members of their Home and pollute the children that they live with by their foul mouths.
33. Every one of you is a leader in some way, whether it be to your children, to your peers, to your sheep, to your younger brothers and sisters, or to your childcare group. Each one of you is responsible to the Lord, and one day you will have to give account before the Lord for every word that has come out of your mouth. Did you hear that? Maybe I should say it again in case some of you weren't listening.
34. One day the Lord is going to make you give account for every word that you speak, every word that comes out of your mouth! That's pretty heavy, if you think about it, isn't it? I'm sorry to say that some of you are going to have an awful lot to give account for one day‚ and if you're smart, then you'll get desperate with the Lord right now and ask Him to help you.
Ask for Prayer!
35. With some of you, speaking this way has almost become a part of you. You've let your guard down so drastically that the Enemy has really gotten in, and he's not going to give up easily and surrender the ground he's gained. It's gotten so bad in some cases that some of you are going to have to ask the Lord for a real miracle, a real turnaround‚ and a real revolution in your lives!
36. If you have a problem with dirty language, then I'd suggest you come before the body‚ come before the whole Home, and ask for prayer. Ask your friends and Home members to help remind you to be loving, kind and positive in your speech.
37. I know this will be pretty humbling for some of you, especially since foul language also carries with it a spirit of pride, rebelliousness and independence‚ but the humbling is part of the key to victory. The humbling is part of the breaking of the chains of this habit that have bound you. Humility, coupled with united prayer and a personal determination to fill your heart with inspiring, faith–building, encouraging things, will bring about the victory that you seek.
Foul Language Is Finito!
38. The final word from me is that I will not stand for this type of behavior and language any longer! Mama and Peter wouldn't tolerate it in their Home, and I never would have tolerated it either! Just think, if the Lord was right there with you throughout the day, would you say half the things you do now? Well, He is with you all day long, every day of your life!
39. Even though you think little of your contemptible speech, He sees it all‚ and one day He's going to ask you why. What will you answer then? Will you have a good excuse? I dare say you won't have any excuse, because there is no excuse!
40. There's just no excuse for this kind of language, this kind of foul speech‚ this use of vulgar, crass, unedifying sound bites, phrases and words! Did you hear me? There's no excuse whatsoever! Mama and Peter wouldn't stand for it in their Home, and they won't stand for it in any of our other Homes around the world.
41. You're all one Family, and what one does affects another. No man is an island, and everything that you do, whether negative or positive, affects someone else. So this bad language is finito! Done! Terminated! Outta here!
42. If you want to go and be an island, then that's fine. Go and do your thing somewhere else! You can go somewhere else and speak the way you want to speak and live the way you want to live, if that's what you want and if that's what you think will make you happy. But for God's sake, don't use such filthy language in our Homes of love! It's like filthy menstruous rags, and we don't want to even hear about it.
43. These are the cold bare facts. This is the law that I'm laying down right this very moment‚ right this very second, and from now on you have no excuse for not abiding by this. You've heard what I think about it, you know what the Lord thinks about it, and we don't want to hear about it anymore! That's all there is to it! That's the final word from me!
44. Yes, I'm pretty upset! I'm pretty disappointed in those of you who haven't had the conviction to stand up against this inroad of the Enemy that is so blatantly evil and wrong. I certainly hope this little talk will get you moving in the right direction, if you're one of the guilty ones.
45. If you're a young person, then you'd better pull up your britches, because you've got younger brothers and sisters following you and watching your every move. You'd better be a good sample to them and lead them in the right direction or you're going to be held partly accountable for their strayings. And if you of the older generation are still swearing and using bad language, then my, oh my, you'd better snap out of it right quick! That's a dandy bad example! Foul language is a dandy bad example to anyone that we're witnessing to, to anyone that sees us‚ as well as to our children.
46. This warning also goes for gestures that mean crude things, like giving someone the finger. In one Home in the States, I saw a two–year-old girl who already had this gesture down pat and was using it. Where do you think she got that? From her older brothers and sisters, no doubt! My, oh my, I can't do the subject justice! This out-of-it behavior has just got to stop! I ban foul language and I don't want to hear any more of it! Got it?
47. And don't go pushing the limits and trying to see what you can get away with by using other words that are disgusting, disagreeable and offensive, but which don't quite qualify as foul language. So don't go around saying something "sucks" or using other System slang words just because you think they're cool or you want to be a little rebellious and see how far you can go. Let me tell you, the thing that sucks is your spirit and your language! Clean up your act all the way! I don't want to have to list every variety of foul System term here. You folks should be eager to obey rather than eager to see how far you can go without it being direct disobedience!
48. I know that it's possible to make a U-turn! If I didn't think it was possible to have a turnaround, then I wouldn't be wasting my breath getting all worked up about this issue. I know it's possible to get rid of this bad habit that has almost become an ingrained part of some of you folks' lives. I know it's possible to rid our Homes of this ungodly, unedifying language—you just have to take a stand against it.
49. You have to take a stand against it on a personal level‚ and make a commitment before the Lord. You have to take a stand against it as a Home, and try to help lift each other up with positive words of encouragement and love, rather than pulling others down with the destructive words of the Enemy.
50. Follow hard after God and fill your heart up with all of His love. "Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things" (Phil. 4:8). If you think on these things, then they're naturally going to come out of your mouth, because out of the abundance of your heart, the mouth speaks.
51. Let's have a positive speech revolution! Let's be iconoclasts and smash the idols of foul language! We'll burn this problem to the ground and it will be no more. It may take a little smashing, a little burning, a little hard work and determination, conviction and stick–to-itiveness, but the Lord's going to empower you. Praise the Lord!
52. Be a revolutionary positive-speaking iconoclast who isn't afraid to live in love and speak in love!—So that we can all live and love together—forever! (End of message from Dad.)
53. (Mama:) Praise the Lord! Thank you, Dad, for delivering your soul and giving us the message! Even if it's a bit uncomfortable to receive it, we really need it! Lord, help us to shape up and be the samples You've called us to be!
Foul Language via Movies and Videos!
54. Following is another message from Dad‚ which he gave when we asked what we can do specifically about this problem with our children. We know we need to change and go on the attack—the Lord's made that very clear—but often human nature is such that if there is no consequence, we don't make the effort and thus don't make the progress that we should. Although this was given mostly with parents and shepherds in mind, there are good lessons for all of us.
55. Dad suggests cutting back on movies which contain any kind of foul language if those watching them are picking up on the bad language and not controlling their words. That doesn't just go for our children; it's a good recommendation for any of you who have compromised in your speech habits. Here's what Dad had to say:
56. (Dad speaking:) A lot of the foul language is picked up through movies, or through older brothers and sisters who pass it on to the younger ones.
57. Foul language is something that needs to be nipped in the bud. It's a habit, and, like any other habit, it's extremely hard to break, especially when these words become a part of the kids' vocabulary. If the parents were to cut the problem off at the very beginning and solve the problem then and there by enforcing some kind of discipline for it and rectifying the situation‚ then it should never escalate into a full-scale problem. But if the parents let it slide, then it's bound to just get worse and worse, and pretty soon it's totally out of control and the parents don't even know what to do about it!
58. One thing that the parents could do if their children are starting to use bad language is really monitor the videos and movies that they watch, or take away some of these things unless the kids change their manners and word usage.
59. Unfortunately, sometimes the parents themselves have a problem with swearing and bad language, so it's almost hypocritical for them to order their kids to stop it when they have a problem too. In this case, it's a matter of the parents getting themselves right with the Lord first‚ and then their children will see that they're practicing what they preach and they're not expecting their children to do something that they're not willing to do themselves.
60. If the parents can't control their kids in this area, then it makes you wonder how they're doing in every other area of their life, or how closely they're following the Letters or the counsel in the Word. If they're letting their children get away with these disobediences‚ then chances are they're trying to get away with some things in their own lives too. Usually when people excuse someone else, it's because they want to be excused themselves, and they don't want to have to make the effort to change either. I'm not just referring to foul language here; it could be anything—any Huddersfield that they're not willing to give to the Lord.
61. Foul language is a subtle yet dangerous attack of the Enemy that creeps in slowly but surely. None of our folks or our children should ever be heard speaking in such an ugly way! It's a bad testimony and a very poor witness! We shouldn't allow this in any of our Homes. All of our children and adults need to fight against this inroad of the Enemy and not take it lying down! (End of message from Dad.)
Verses on Cursing and Foul Language [Excerpts from Word Topix:]
Cursing will defile and corrupt you and others.
Psalm 109:17. As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him.
Matthew 12:36,37. But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak‚ they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
1 Corinthians 15:33. Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
2 Timothy 2:16. But shun profane [irreverent] and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
James 3:6,9. The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members‚ that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of Hell. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men‚ which are made after the similitude of God. [See also Psalm 109:17,18.]
Cursing is a chink in your armor, an inroad for the Enemy.
Proverbs 15:4. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
Take a positive stand against cursing, both in your own life and in your associations with others.
Psalm 17:3b. I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
Psalm 39:1. I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle.
Psalm 141:3. Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
Proverbs 4:24. Put away from thee a froward [stubbornly contrary and disobedient] mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.
Proverbs 8:13. The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride‚ and arrogancy, and the evil way‚ and the froward mouth, do I hate.
Ephesians 4:29. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Colossians 3:8. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
Don't let others' cursing provoke you to retaliate or resort to foul language.
James 3:10. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
1 Peter 3:9,10. Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing [insult for insult]: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called‚ that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile [deceit].
ML #3188:30-58, GN 793
30. (Dad:) It's time to check your hearts, folks! Are you blessing God and cursing men at the same time with your tongue? "Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be." Anyone in our Homes who is going around with a loose tongue‚ spouting off whatever comes to mind without prayerfully considering the consequences, had better get down to brass tacks and study up on what God's Word has to say about the tongue!
31. My mother used to preach on the power of the tongue, and she'd always remind her audience that there are seven things that God hates. If you don't think that God is capable of hating, read what it says in His Book! God hates evil, beloved! You'd better believe it! And do you know that of the seven things that God hates, nearly half of them have to do with the tongue? Can any of you name the seven things that God hates?
32. Open those Bibles to the Book of Proverbs, chapter 6: "Six things doth the Lord hate; yea, seven are an abomination unto Him ... a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren" (Pro.6:16-19).
33. There you have it! Out of that list of seven things, three of them have to do with the tongue! Almost half of all the things the Lord hates are caused by that little tongue! He hates "a lying tongue," "a false witness that speaks lies," and "he that sows discord among the brethren!" Watch out if this is a picture of you! If you're badmouthing your brethren, watch out! If you're twisting the truth, distorting the facts, and thus sowing discord among our brethren, watch out! If you're talking about others to their hurt and the hurt of their reputation, you're guilty of partaking of the things that God hates!
34. There's so much in the Bible about the tongue and the evil it can cause, I just can't do the subject justice! It's almost unbelievable to think that anyone in the Family could be caught up in this snare‚ this trap of the Enemy to the hurt of others‚ when we're supposed to have the love of Jesus!
35. If you want to keep your soul from trouble‚ you'd better learn to keep your tongues! Read what the Word has to say: "He that keeps his tongue keeps his soul from troubles!" (Pro. 21:23). Now, here's a thought to ponder—and I want you folks to think on this, and think on it long and hard:
36. Words are real things. They bless or they curse; they lift up or they knock down. Real things! Jesus Himself had plenty to say about the words that we speak! His Own Words are spirit and life—they bring hope and life; whereas the Devil's twisted truths bring discouragement, despair‚ doubt, disillusionment, death and destruction.
You'll Have to Give Account of Every Word
37. The Lord said that it's not what goes into a man that defiles him‚ but what comes out of a man. What comes out of your mouth is what will bring you success or ruin! Do you realize that you're gonna have to give account for every idle word that comes out of your mouth? I want you to think about that the next time you're tempted to say an unkind word to or about your brother or sister! Every idle word! That's E-V-E-R-Y—every word! How's that for an awesome thought! This is not an exaggeration, folks! The Lord means what He says! Every idle word!
38. Do you know what an "idle word" is? An idle word is anything that doesn't minister faith, hope, or love to the hearer. An idle word is one that curses instead of blesses‚ that tears down instead of builds up, that ministers hurt and harm instead of peace and joy.
39. By the words that you speak, you're gonna be justified or condemned. "By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." Jesus Himself said it, and you can read it in Matthew 12:34-37. Now, if that's not a sobering thought to wake you up and knock some sense into your heads and put some good healthy fear of the Lord into your hearts, I don't know what will! I hope this will wake you up, shake you up, and knock those blinders off your eyes that the Devil has put there!
40. It's all being written down in a great big book, folks—every word that you say! If you're fool enough to think that you'll not be held accountable for your words and your actions, you've got a mighty big surprise coming! The Devil never lets this cat out of the bag when he's tempting folks with all this coolness and criticism and idle thoughts and harmful words that he puts in your mind. He always tries to blind your eyes to what's around the corner and tempts you to just live for the moment—but believe me, in the end you're gonna have to pay! All the while the Devil tempts you to give your tongue over to his dirty work‚ he tries his hardest to distract you from the reality that you're gonna have to give account for every word that comes out of that mouth of yours!
Fill Up on the Lord's Words and Filter Your Words
41. What you folks need to learn is to filter the thoughts that come to your mind. You're not to spout off every single thought you have, but you've got to filter them. Measure each one against the standard of the Word. Pray and seek the Lord to see if it be true or not, to see if it's worth repeating or not. Some of those thoughts of yours aren't even your thoughts! That's the Devil's business‚ he's always casting darts—and this includes twisted thoughts, unedifying comments, and cutting words and comments that come to your mind that he tempts you to repeat! The only way to stay free from them is to stay filled up with the right words and the right thoughts by spending time with Jesus and keeping your mind on His Word!
42. If you want to think the Lord's thoughts, you've got to spend time with Him! Do you want your conversation to be full of the superficiality of the world or the truth of God? Do you want to spread the light and warmth of His divine love, or promote cruel, unkind words that bring hurt and harm and death? It comes down to this—does Jesus control your tongue, your heart, and your spirit, or have you become a fool?
43. Oh, there's so much in the Word about your words, the mouth and the tongue! It would do you well to study up on it. You're not to be rash with your mouth. That means you're not to speak off the top of your head‚ without praying first. "Be not rash with thy mouth‚ and let not thine heart be hasty to utter anything before God: for God is in Heaven‚ and thou upon Earth, therefore let thy words be few" (Ecc.5:2). And here's another good one: "He that hath knowledge spareth his words" (Pro.17:27). So that's really being wise—sometimes the best thing you can do is spare your words. Wisdom is being silent sometimes. "He that refraineth his lips is wise" (Pro.10:19). So if you want to get smart, learn to keep your mouth shut at the right times!
44. You don't always have to spout off what you're thinking, and you'd certainly better not spout off ugly things and unkind words that are gonna cause hurt to someone, lest you be found a fool! Which do you want to be like—the fools the Bible talks about, or the wise that the Lord said He would reward?
45. Open your Bible and read what it says, folks! If you'd read and study the Word more, you might not be so quick to badmouth your brethren! Do you want to be a fool or do you want to be wise? The mouth of fools pours out foolishness! He who utters a slander is a fool! A fool's lips cause contention, and a fool's mouth brings his own destruction. A fool's lips are the snare of his soul! (Pro.15:2; 10:18; 18:6,7). Read it! It's all right there in your Bible! Open it up and read what the Proverbs have to say!
Tears in Heaven Over Hurtful Words Here
46. Are you gonna let that tongue of yours bring a snare to your soul? Do you know what a snare is? It's something that gets you all tangled up! Is that where you're headed? Do you want to be all caught up in the Devil's snare, his trap for fools‚ causing hurt and harm to others with your unkind words? Are you gonna have to hang your head in shame when you arrive over Here on this side and it comes time to give account for all those idle words? I've seen it happen time and again since arriving Here in Heaven. I've personally witnessed the sad, sad story of those souls who've arrived Here and have had to meet their fate, as they meet with all the ones they hurt with their unruly tongue!
47. You'll be mighty sorry then when you have to face all those who you've hurt and maimed, all those whose hearts you've been responsible for wounding, all those you've given deep‚ dark, ugly scars to! You'll be sorry then for the cutting remarks and cross words. You'll be ashamed then that you didn't pray more and filter those thoughts, and refrain from speaking those words that were so hurtful. You'll regret that you acted in haste and uttered your mind without praying!
48. There are still some tears up Here in Heaven, folks! If there weren't, the Lord wouldn't have to wipe them away. And, oh, the tears that have been shed when people stand before God to give account, not only for every idle word they've said, but for every hurtful word, every cutting remark from a backbiting tongue, a bitter tongue, a foolish tongue‚ a slanderous tongue! Every word you utter will either justify you or condemn you. Jesus said so!
49. The Lord says that His Word will not return to Him void, that it will accomplish all that He sends it to do, and that's true. But I've got news for you—your words will also return to you! They're not lost, but they're all being counted up, tallied up‚ and in the day of reckoning they will either justify you or condemn you! Not one word that you speak is lost. All man's words either bless or curse; they're either accomplishing good or bad—every word! You're gonna have to give account for every idle word! Jesus said it! Read it! Think about it! And act on it! Clean up that tongue of yours!
What Sort of Words Will You Choose?
50. Which do you want to be—a fool or a wise man? "A fool uttereth all his mind, but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards" (Pro.29:11). Which will you choose today—the tongue of the wise that ministers grace to the hearers, or the tongue that speaks lying words that have no profit for good?
51. Your words will bless or they will curse—which do you choose to utter? Are you speaking vanities, words that are causing hurt? Are you badmouthing others, uttering all your mind like a fool? Are you cursing others with your tongue? Are you giving your mouth to evil by speaking deceitful and proud things about your brothers and sisters? Are you smiting another with your tongue? Are you gossiping or slandering with your tongue? Is your tongue like a sword, wounding the hearts of others? Are you speaking mischievous things? Is your mouth speaking foolishness, to where your tongue is causing mischief? Are you causing madness with your tongue? (See Ecc.5:7; Pro.29:11; Psa.10:7; 50:19; Pro.10:18; 12:18; Psa.38:12; Pro.17:20; Ecc.10:13.)
52. Or are your words pleasant like the honeycomb, sweet to the soul and health to the bones? (Pro.16:24). The tongue of the wise gives health‚ folks! Which do you want to give—hurt or health? Remember, you possess the power of life and death in your tongue! Your very health, or the health of those around you‚ could be dependent on the words that you speak! Which do you want to bring—life or death? A wholesome tongue, one that speaks kind words, is like a tree of life. A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver (Pro.15:4; 25:11).
53. There's a lot to be said about the words that we speak. They're either encouraging and lifting up, or they're condemning and breaking down. Which will you choose—that which gives grace, hope, comfort and encouragement to the hearers, or that which breaks down and hurts?
54. David prayed and asked the Lord to let the words of his mouth and the meditation of his heart be acceptable in the Lord's sight—and you'd do well to do the same, beloved! We used to pray that little prayer at the end of the day. We'd add it on to our closing prayer whenever we were gathered together with the family, and I think we'd do well to institute that practice again. "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart‚ be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer" (Psa.19:14).
55. Can you pray that and mean it with your whole heart now? I sure hope so! That oughtta be the prayer on your lips each and every day of your life—lest you arrive Here to a rude awakening when you have to give account of every idle word!
56. Will you be a fool or a wise man? There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof is destruction! Don't let it happen to you! Don't let your tongue run wild, wreaking havoc and destruction upon those around you! Don't let your tongue become bitter and critical to your own hurt or the hurt of others!
57. Fill up your heart and mind with Jesus and you won't have any trouble knowing what to say. Keep full of His Words—that's the best safeguard you've got! Don't be found a fool! God help you if you are! Remember, you have the power of life and death in your tongue, so use it wisely. Use it to minister faith‚ hope, love and peace.
58. For the sake of others‚ watch your words! For your own sake—your very life's sake—watch your words! They'll bless or curse, they'll lift up or tear down. What are your words doing? Will you pray this prayer along with me and make it your prayer each and every day of your life? "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer!" Hallelujah!
Love, Dad (End of message from Dad.)
Word Basics
"Death ' life are in the power of the tongue" (Pro.18:21)
A. Loving, wholesome speech has a great effect:
2Chr.10:7If thou be kind unto this people...’ speak good words to them, they will be thy servants forever
Pro.15:1aA soft answer turneth away wrath
Pro.15:23A word spoken in due season, how good is it
Pro.25:15By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, ' a soft tongue breaketh the bone
B. Wise speech is health ' life:
Pro.10:11aThe mouth of the righteous man is a well of life
Pro.12:18bThe tongue of the wise is health
Pro.15:4aA wholesome tongue is a tree of life
Pro.16:24Pleasant words are...sweet to the soul, ’ health
C. Other points on wholesome speech:
Pro.8:6The opening of my lips shall be right things
Pro.14:3bThe lips of the wise shall preserve them
Pro.31:26bIn her tongue is the law of kindness
Eccl.10:12aThe words of a wise man's mouth are gracious
Jam.3:2If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect (complete, mature) man
(See also Psa.37:30; Pro.10:31; 15:7; 24:26; Mal.2:6,7.)
D. Speaking the right things at the right time:
Pro.10:32aThe lips of the righteous know what is acceptable
Pro.25:11A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver
Eccl.8:5bA wise man's heart discerneth both time ' judgment
E. Speaking encouraging words to strengthen others:
Gen.50:21bAnd he comforted them‚ ' spake kindly unto them
Deut.3:28aEncourage him, ' strengthen him
Job 4:4Thy words have upholden him that was falling, ’ thou hast strengthened the feeble knees
Job 16:5I would strengthen you with my mouth
Isa.35:3,4Strengthen the weak hands...say to them, Be strong
Isa.50:4Speak a word in season to him that is weary
F. Speaking ’ talking about the Lord's Word:
Deut.6:6‚7Thou shalt talk of (the Word) when thou sittest...when thou walkest...when thou liest down...' risest up
Psa.119:172My tongue shall talk of Thy Word
Jn.6:63The Words I speak unto you, they are spirit, ’...life
Eph.5:19Speaking to yourselves in psalms ' hymns '...songs
1Pet.4:11If any man speak‚ let him speak as the oracles of God
G. Sharing testimonies about the great things God has done:
Psa.9:11Sing praises...declare among the people His doings
Psa.35:28My tongue shall talk of Thy righteousness ' of Thy praise all the day long
Psa.66:16I will declare what He hath done for my soul
Psa.145:1-7,I will speak of...Thy majesty, ’ of Thy wondrous works
10,12,21...make known to men His mighty acts
Acts 12:17He...declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison
(See also Psa.37:30; 40:9,10; 71:17; Isa.12:4.)
H. Have a sense of humor ' be able to laugh:
Pro.17:22A merry heart doeth good like a medicine (See also Pro.15:13,15)
Psa.126:2Then was our mouth filled with laughter (See Job 8:21)
(See also Gen.21:6; Eccl.3:4; 10:19a.)
Eccl.3:7[There is] a time to keep silence, ' a time to speak
A. The dangers of speaking too much:
Pro.10:19aIn the multitude of words there wanteth (lacks) not sin
Pro.14:23In all labor there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury (poverty)
B. The wisdom of being slow to speak:
Jam.1:19Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak
Pro.18:13He that answereth a matter before he heareth it‚ it is folly ' shame unto him
Eccl.5:2,6Be not rash (hasty) with thy mouth...wherefore should God be angry...’ destroy the work of thine hands?
Jn.8:1-9[Example of Jesus avoiding being rushed into answering]
C. It is usually wise to speak little:
Pro.17:27He that hath knowledge spareth his words
Eccl.5:3bA fool's voice is known by multitude of words
(See also Mat.5:37)
D. It is often wise not to speak at all:
Job 13:5O that ye would altogether hold your peace. And it should be your wisdom
Pro.10:19bHe that refraineth his lips is wise
Pro.11:12bA man of understanding holdeth his peace
Pro.17:28Even a fool‚ when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: ' he that shutteth lips is...a man of understanding
Pro.21:23Who keepeth...his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles
E. Watch your words:
Psa.39:1bTo...sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me
Psa.141:3Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep...my lips
Pro.13:3aHe that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life
Mat.12:36Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment
F. Keeping secrets:
Pro.11:13A talebearer (gossip) revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter
Pro.25:9Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself; ’ discover (disclose) not a secret to another
Mic.7:5Keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom (See also Judg.14:15-17; 16:4-6; 15-21.)
Mat.9:30Jesus straitly charged them...See that no man know it
Mat.12:14–16(Jesus) charged them they should not make Him known
Mk.1:43-45See thou say nothing to any man (See also Mat.8:4a)
Mk.9:9,10(Jesus) charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen (See also Mat.17:9; Lk.9:36.)
Lk.8:56He charged them that they should tell no man what was done (See also Mk.5:43)
Lk.9:20,21He...commanded them to tell no man that thing (See also Mat.16:20)
Acts 23:22Tell no man that thou hast shewed these things to me
(See also Josh.2:14,20)
G. Learning how to be quiet:
Job 6:24aTeach me, ’ I will hold my tongue
1Thes.4:11Study to be quiet, ' to do [mind] your own business
H. The foolish simply cannot keep their mouth shut:
Pro.15:2bThe mouth of fools poureth forth foolishness
Pro.20:3Honor...to cease...but every fool will be meddling
Pro.29:11aA fool uttereth all his mind
A. An uncontrolled tongue will defile you ' others:
Mat.15:11That which cometh out of the mouth...defileth a man
Mat.15:18Those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; ’ they defile a man
Jam.3:6The tongue is...a world of iniquity...it defileth the whole body
B. A talebearing (gossiping) tongue is a fire:
Jam.3:5,6The tongue is a fire...it setteth on fire...' is set on fire of hell
Pro.16:27Ungodly man...in his lips there is as a burning fire
C. A slanderous, wicked tongue is deadly poison:
Jam.3:8The tongue...is...full of deadly poison
Psa.140:3Adders' poison is under their lips
Eccl.10:11The serpent will bite without enchantment; ' a babbler is no better
Rom.3:13bThe poison of asps is under their lips
D. A vainbabbling tongue destroys like cancer:
2Tim.2:16,17Profane ' vain babblings...their word will eat as doth a canker (cancer)
E. A sharp, malicious tongue can inflict deep wounds:
Pro.12:18aThere is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword
Pro.25:18Man that beareth false witness...is a maul, ' a sword
Pro.26:22The words of a talebearer are as wounds, ' they go down into the innermost parts (deep)
F. A malicious tongue destroys ’ kills:
Pro.11:9aAn hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbor
Pro.18:21Death ' life are in the power of the tongue
Pro.26:28A flattering mouth worketh ruin
G. It destroys love ' friendship:
Pro.16:28bA whisperer (gossiper) separateth chief friends
Acts 14:2Made their minds evil affected against the brethren
A. Evil speech comes from an evil heart:
Pro.15:2bThe mouth of fools poureth out foolishness
Pro.15:28bThe mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things
Mat.12:35bAn evil man out of (heart) bringeth forth evil things
B. Evil, foolish speech corrupts ' stinks:
Eccl.10:1Dead flies...send forth a stinking...so doth a little folly in him that is in reputation for wisdom
1Cor.15:33Evil communications corrupt good manners
C. The perverse (polluted) ' froward (defiant) tongue:
Pro.8:13The froward (defiant, contrary) mouth do I hate
Pro.15:4Perverseness [in a tongue] is a breach in the spirit
Pro.26:18,19As a madman who casteth firebrands ' death, so is the man that deceiveth...’ saith, Am not I (joking)?
D. Foolishness ' vain talk leads to mischief ’ ungodliness:
Pro.14:7Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge
Pro.15:14bThe mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness
Eccl.10:13The beginning of (his) words...is foolishness: ' the end of his talk is mischievous madness
2Tim.2:16Shun profane ' vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness
E. An uncontrolled tongue brings disaster:
Psa.109:17–20As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him
Pro.10:14bThe mouth of the foolish is near destruction
Pro.10:10bA prating (idly chattering) fool shall fall
Pro.12:13aThe wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips
Pro.13:3bHe that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction
Pro.17:20He that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief
Pro.18:7A fool's mouth...' his lips are the snare of his soul
Eccl.10:12bThe lips of a fool will swallow up himself
A. Refrain from corrupt communication:
Pro.4:24Put away from thee a froward mouth, ' perverse lips
Eph.4:29aLet no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth
Eph.5:4Neither filthiness (obscenity), nor foolish talking, nor jesting, but rather giving of thanks
Col.3:8Put...filthy communication out of your mouth
1Tim.6:20aAvoiding profane ' vain babblings
B. Speak edifying things, not corrupt:
Eph.4:29No corrupt communication....but that which is...edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers
Col.4:6Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt
Tit.2:8Sound speech, that cannot be condemned
Pro.8:8,9All the words of My mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them
(See also Rom.15:2)
C. You can't control your own tongue by yourself:
Jam.3:8The tongue can no man tame
D. Only God can, so yield to Him:
Psa.45:1bMy tongue is the pen of a ready writer [the Lord]
Pro.16:1The preparations of the heart of man, ’ the answer of the tongue‚ is from the Lord
Isa.50:4The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I...know how to speak [an encouraging] word
Lk.12:12The Holy Ghost shall teach you...what ye ought to say
1Pet.4:11aIf any man speak‚ let him speak as the oracles of God
E. Read ' obey God's Word‚ ' let it change you:
Psa.119:9(How) shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed...to Thy Word
Jn.15:3Now ye are clean through the Word
Eph.5:26That He might sanctify ' cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word
1Pet.1:22aYe have purified your souls in obeying the truth
(See also Pro.6:20-23; Heb.10:22.)
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