Sermon: Foul Language-Part 2
by Chris Cumming

Are you using foul language in your communications with others?  I am not necessarily speaking to rude, crass or profane words or what we call cussing, but words and phrases that do not stand up to the Word of God.

My purpose, with this sermon, is to expose the negative idioms and phrases we might be using in our communications and encourage the positive ones.

Invoke positive language while eliminating foul language.

In Part One of this sermon we read through the list of both the negative and positive idioms and phrases.  We then took the first one from the negative list and exposed it as “foul language” and something we want to remove from our vocabulary and communications.  That first one was, “Looking at the World through rose-colored glasses:”   Today we will go back to this list and continue.  Here is a portion of that list:

NEGATIVE IDIOMS AND PHRASES

1] Looking at the World through rose-colored glasses:  […handled in Part 1 of this sermon]
--Cheerful or optimistic, especially to an excessive degree: took a rose-colored view of the situation.
--With an unduly cheerful, optimistic, or favorable view of things: see the world through rose-colored glasses.

Note: There are eighteen [18] items in this list.  We will handle items 2-6

2] Beat around the bush.
--Avoiding the main topic. Not speaking directly about the issue.

3] Cut corners.
--When something is done badly to save money.
--To save effort or money by finding cheaper or easier ways to do something.

4] Drastic times call for drastic measures.
--When you are extremely desperate you need to take drastic actions.

5] I heard it on the grapevine.
--This idiom means 'to hear rumors' about something or someone.

6] In the heat of the moment.
--Overwhelmed by what is happening in the moment.

What we are going to see and continue to see in this series on Foul Language, is that these phrases and idioms are not just language, but procedures, attitudes and belief systems.  They all need to be destroyed and controlled.

2] Beat around the bush.
--Avoiding the main topic. Not speaking directly about the issue.

What can we conclude from just this two sentence definition of this phrase?
a) It is deception and actually a form of lying. 
b) It is not honest.  It is not the truth.
c) It gives rise to miscommunication and misunderstanding.
d) It wastes time.
e) It hurts relationships.
f) It hides the truth.

Scriptures:
These scriptures speak to lying.  Do not look at them in this instance as outright lying but not being forthright in your communication; not speaking directly to the issue on the table.

Proverbs 12:19
The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

Proverbs 12:22
Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.

Proverbs 13:5
A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.

Proverbs 17:7
Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

The New Living Translation has this as:
Eloquent words are not fitting for a fool; even less are lies fitting for a ruler.

The International Standard Version has it as:
Appropriate speech is inconsistent with the fool; how much more are deceitful statements with a prince!

Zechariah 8:16
These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates:

Matthew 5:37
But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

Ephesians 4:15
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

Ephesians 4:25
Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

Colossians 3:9
Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

2 Timothy 2:15 [see Lesson]
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Quotes
“Today not only in philosophy but in politics, government, and individual morality, our generation sees solutions in terms of synthesis and not absolutes. When this happens, truth, as people have always thought of truth, has died.”

"The worst distance between two people is misunderstanding."

"Maturity is the ability to think, speak and act your feelings within the bounds of dignity."

"Never let us be guilty of sacrificing any portion of truth on the altar of peace."

"I believe that in the end the truth will conquer."

"As a matter of honor, one man owes it to another to manifest the truth."

Let us stop beating around the bush and get rid of this phrase from our lives.

The next one is the phrase, "cut corners" or "cutting corners"

3] Cut corners.
--When something is done badly to save money.
--To save effort or money by finding cheaper or easier ways to do something.

This is also known as the easy way or lazy way.

Scriptures:
How many of you remember the, "counting the cost" scripture?

Luke 14:28 
For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

Any indication here that one would be considering cutting corners or going cheap?

Notice this scripture from Proverbs:

Proverbs 24:27 
Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.

This is a stewardship scripture and there are no shortcuts in stewardship.

Notice the accounts of Noah building the ark according to the detailed plans of God.  Then read the accounts of the building of the tabernacle in the wilderness.  These are great examples of stewardship and not taking the easy way.  Speaking of the "easy way" go to Matthew 7:13-14

Matthew 7:13-14
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

The narrow way is not the easy way.

Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Does God take shortcuts?

Notice Proverbs 13:4 and what it says about the easy way.

Proverbs 13:4
The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

Proverbs 21:25
The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.

When it comes to the Salvation Process, can you cut corners?

James 1:22
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Ecclesiastes 9:10
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might [firmness, vigor]; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

Does anyone here see a shortcut in God's admonition to us to invoke fervency, diligence, zeal or perseverance?

Quotes:
"The right way is not always the popular and easy way. Standing for right when it is unpopular is a true test of moral character."

"The road to success is not easy to navigate, but with hard work, drive and passion, it's possible to achieve the American dream."

"Anybody can become angry - that is easy, but to be angry with the right person and to the right degree and at the right time and for the right purpose, and in the right way - that is not within everybody's power and is not easy."

"Happiness does not come from doing easy work but from the afterglow of satisfaction that comes after the achievement of a difficult task that demanded our best."

"Thinking is easy, acting is difficult, and to put one's thoughts into action is the most difficult thing in the world."

One Scott Alexander [writer/author] once said, "All good is hard. All evil is easy. Dying, losing, cheating, and mediocrity is easy. Stay away from easy."

We will now discuss item 4 on our list of Foul Language, "Drastic times call for drastic measures."

4] Drastic times call for drastic measures.

--When you are extremely desperate you need to take drastic actions.

Drastic measures includes not only actions, but attitudes and communication; the words we use.

Let us begin with the definition of the word, "drastic."
---acting with force or violence
---being extremely severe

The synonyms for drastic are, "dire", "harsh", "desperate"," immoderate" and "exorbitant."

Being drastic is the opposite of being calm, gentle or collected.  Being drastic is the opposite of self-control.

Scriptures:
Proverbs 15:1
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

In Luke 6:2 we see the Pharisees asking Jesus why He was doing "unlawful" acts on the Sabbath [plucking ears of corn].  Jesus answers them and then we read this:

Luke 6:11
And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.

Proverbs 15:4
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

"Perverseness" here means impure, unchaste, unsavoury, and corrupt language, does mischief to the spirits of men.

Individuals who become drastic are those lacking self-control [invoking that control by the power of the Spirit of God].

Proverbs 25:28
He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

2 Timothy 1:7 [see Lesson] 
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind [a mind in control].

Titus 2:12 ...harshness is a worldly emotion and action
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Quotes:
"Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset."

"Calm mind brings inner strength and self-confidence, so that's very important for good health."

"Right now I am trying to be in a place of calm, a place where I can chill out and then handle the chaos of life better. You don't just get it overnight; you have to work at it. It's a daily struggle."

"I have so much chaos in my life, it's become normal. You become used to it. You have to just relax, calm down, take a deep breath and try to see how you can make things work rather than complain about how they're wrong."

"Getting stress out of your life takes more than prayer alone. You must take action to make changes and stop doing whatever is causing the stress. You can learn to calm down in the way you handle things."

"Panic causes tunnel vision. Calm acceptance of danger allows us to more easily assess the situation and see the options."

We will now discuss rumors and gossip.  It is number 5 on our list of Foul Language.

5] I heard it on the grapevine.
--This idiom means 'to hear rumors' about something or someone.
--This phrase speaks to gossip and backbiting.

Gossip is wrong whether you speak it or listen to it.

Scriptures:
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.

Proverbs 16:28
A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

Proverbs 11:13
A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

Psalms 34:13
Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

Then there is Romans and chapter 1:

Romans 1:28-32
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Keep thyself away from the "grapevine."

Quotes:
“Just because something isn't a lie does not mean that it isn't deceptive. A liar knows that he is a liar, but one who speaks mere portions of truth in order to deceive is a craftsman of destruction.”

"You should always be careful of who you spill your guts to because they might go back and air your laundry out on the clothesline for everyone to see."

“The only thing more frustrating than slanderers is those foolish enough to listen to them.”

“Often those that criticise others reveal what he himself lacks.”

“Tale-bearers are as bad as the tale-makers.”

“RUMOUR:  ...from William Shakespeare's "Henry IV, Part 2"K
"Upon my tongues continual slanders ride,
The which in every language I pronounce,
Stuffing the ears of men with false reports.”

Abraham Lincoln said, “Truth is generally the best vindication against slander”

Ephesians 4:31-32
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Now, have you ever been overwhelmed?  If so, listen to the next bit of Foul Language.

6] In the heat of the moment.

--Overwhelmed by what is happening in the moment.

Let us begin with definitions.

Overwhelm:
--to overpower or overcome
--to crush or destroy
--to be beset with worry and anguish

Related words or synonyms"
--beaten
--devastated
--overpowered
--upset
--vanquished
--distressed

Scriptures:
Joshua 1:9
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Psalm 55:22
Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Psalm 118:5-6
5 I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.
6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?

Proverbs 12:25
Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad

Matthew 6:34
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Matthew 11:28-30
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:31
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Philippians 4:6
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Hebrews 12:1
 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

James 1:12
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Quotes:
"Nothing in the affairs of men is worthy of great anxiety."

“Man is not worried by real problems so much as by his imagined anxieties about real problems”

“A day of worry is more exhausting than a day of work.”

"Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength."

"If you don't think your anxiety, depression, sadness and stress impact your physical health, think again. All of these emotions trigger chemical reactions in your body, which can lead to inflammation and a weakened immune system. Learn how to cope, sweet friend. There will always be dark days."

"Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it with the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith."

"Practically everybody knows what it's like to feel anxious, worried, nervous, afraid, uptight, or panicky. Often, anxiety is just a nuisance, but sometimes it can cripple you and prevent you from doing what you really want with your life. But I have some great news for you: You can change the way you feel."

"The more you pray, the less you'll panic. The more you worship, the less you worry. You'll feel more patient and less pressured.”

“Anxiety's like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you very far.”

“Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow.”

“The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one.”

See the sermon, "Eight Percent Real" ...a sermon about worry.

That is enough foul language for this sermon.  We will continue in Part 3.   

Invoke positive language while eliminating foul language.

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