Sermon: Foul Language – Part 3
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:” In
Part Two of this sermon, we continued in the list and spoke to five
more negative phrases. Let us review from our primary 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.
2] Beat around the bush.
[…handled
in Part
2 of this sermon]
--Avoiding the main topic. Not speaking directly about the issue.
3] Cut corners. […handled
in Part
2 of this sermon]
--When something is done badly to save money.
4] Drastic times call for drastic measures.
[…handled
in Part
2 of this sermon]
--When you are extremely desperate you need to take drastic actions.
5] I heard it on the grapevine.
[…handled
in Part
2 of this sermon]
--This idiom means 'to hear rumors' about something or someone.
6] In the heat of the moment.
[…handled
in Part
2 of this sermon]
--Overwhelmed by what is happening in the moment.
We continue now with number seven:
7] That is the last straw.
--The final problem in a series of problems.
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.
Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto
thine own understanding.
Proverbs 3:6
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy
paths.
John 16:33
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have
peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I
have overcome the world.
Mark 11:23
For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this
mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not
doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith
shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
Quotes:
"No matter how dark the night, morning always comes. And our journey begins anew."
Winston Churchill said, "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."
"It is wise to keep in mind that no success or failure is necessarily final."
“The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it.”
“Well, if it can be thought, it can be done, a problem can be overcome,”
“If you expect life to be easy, challenges will seem difficult. If you accept that challenges may occur, life will be easier.”
"Never give up; for even rivers someday wash dams away."
"When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn." ~Harriet Beecher Stowe
8] Let the cat out of the bag.
--To share information that was previously concealed
Proverbs 11:13
A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit
concealeth the matter.
Proverbs 12:23
A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth
foolishness.
Proverbs 20:19
He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle
not with him that flattereth with his lips.
Proverbs 21:23
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
Ephesians 4:25
Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour:
for we are members one of another.
Quotes: ...apply these quotes to the
concept of the secrets of others.
"A secret remains a secret until you make someone promise never to reveal it."
"If you reveal your secrets to the wind, you should not blame the wind for revealing them to the trees."
"One of the secrets of a long and fruitful life is to forgive everybody everything every night before you go to bed."
"If you want to keep a secret, you must also hide it from yourself."
William Penn in his book, "Some Fruits of Solitude" said, "It is wise not to seek a secret, and honest not to reveal one."
"When a secret is revealed, it is the fault of the man who confided it."
"The man who can keep a secret may be wise, but he is not half as wise as the man with no secrets to keep."
9] I am going to give him a taste of his own medicine.
--The negative concept of revenge.
Romans 12:17-21
16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but
condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the
sight of all men.
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all
men.
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto
wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the
Lord.
20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him
drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Matthew 5:38-39
38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth
for a tooth:
39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall
smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
1 Peter 3:9
Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise
blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a
blessing.
James 1:19-20
19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow
to speak, slow to wrath:
20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
Proverbs 24:29
Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the
man according to his work.
Matthew 26:52-54
52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for
all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall
presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
Quotes
"The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury."
"A man that studieth revenge keeps his own wounds green."
"Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love."
"Laughter will always be the best medicine, silence will always be the best revenge and love will always be all you need."
"The noblest revenge is to forgive."
10] He' playing fast and loose with the truth.
--Lying
We just had a sermon on Lying, "Prevarication" where we demonstrate both good and bad theology on the subject and showing clearly that God hates all lies. There are no such things as, "little white lies" or lying for righteousness sake. There is no lying for Jesus.
Let us look at some key verses
Proverbs 6:16-19
16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination
unto him:
17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in
running to mischief,
19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among
brethren.
Proverbs 12:22
Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his
delight.
Proverbs 19:5
A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall
not escape.
Psalm 101:7
He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth
lies shall not tarry in my sight.
Colossians 3:9
Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his
deeds;
1 John 2:4
He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar,
and the truth is not in him.
Revelation 21:8
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and
whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have
their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is
the second death.
Quotes on lying:
"If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything."
~ Mark Twain
We know what God thinks about lying. What does man think?
Friedrich Nietzsche said, "I'm not upset that you lied to me, I'm upset that from now on I can't believe you."
"Anything is better than lies and deceit!" ~Leo Tolstoy
"Alfred Tennyson said, "A lie that is half-truth is the darkest of all
lies."
"Honesty is more than not lying. It is truth telling, truth speaking,
truth living, and truth loving."
11] A leopard can't change his spots
--the Salvation Process is all about changing and building better and
righteous character
Repentance is all about changing.
Romans 12:1-2
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye
present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which
is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the
renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and
acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
2 Corinthians 4:16
For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the
inward man is renewed day by day.
2 Corinthians 10:5
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself
against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought
to the obedience of Christ;
Ephesians 4:23
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
Philippians 2:5
Ultimate change
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
1 Corinthians 2:16
For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But
we have the mind of Christ.
Quotes on change and changing:
"Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change
their minds cannot change anything."
"If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we aren't really living."
"Sometimes it's the smallest decisions that can change your life forever."
Winston Churchill said, "To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often."
"You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself. That is something you have charge of."
"Change brings opportunity."
12] Between a rock and a hard place.
1 Corinthians10:13
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God
is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are
able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye
may be able to bear it.
Romans 12:21
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
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.
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Mark 11:22-24 Sermon:
Tell it to the Mountain"
22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this
mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not
doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith
shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray,
believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
Quotes on overcoming obstacles:
"If you're trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I've had them; everybody has had them. But obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it." ~Michael Jordan
"A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles." ~ Christopher Reeve
"One who gains strength by overcoming obstacles possesses the only strength which can overcome adversity."
"The gateways to wisdom and learning are always open, and more and more I am choosing to walk through them. Barriers, blocks, obstacles, and problems are personal teachers giving me the opportunity to move out of the past and into the Totality of Possibilities."
Let us conclude now:
In your life, let there never be a last straw.
Never let the cat out of the bag.
Flee from the concept of revenge.
Totally avoid lying in any way, shape or form.
Acknowledge daily that a leopard CAN change his spots.
And understand there is no obstacle you cannot overcome.