Matthew 12:36,37

1. Matthew 12:36,37

2. People who call themselves “Christians” can be heard using foul language and telling dirty jokes • What are the implications of this? • “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgement. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:36,37 • Proverbs 18:21

3. The Tongue is an Instrument of The Heart • Matthew 12:33-35 “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” • Colossians 3:8 “put off…filthy language out of your mouth” • Romans 12:2 “do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind”

4. What are some corrupt words and expressions? • Words and expressions commonly used which need to be purged from our speech • Please prayerfully consider the following words and expressions our of respect for our Lord, the church, our children, other people and ourselves

7. Euphemisms for Hell, Damnation, and the Devil • “What the dickens” • “What the heck” for “What the hell” • “Get the heck out” for “Get the hell out” • “Darn” is substituted for “damn”

8. Euphemisms for God and Jesus Used to Avoid Taking God’s Name in Vain • “Gee,” “Gee whiz,” “Jeepers” for Jesus • “Golly,” “by golly,” “gosh,” “gosh awful,” “gad,” “egad” for God • “Oh my God!” “OMG” “Oh my gosh!”

9. Euphemisms for God and Jesus Used to Avoid Taking God’s Name in Vain • “Holy cow,” “holy mackerel,” “holy smoke” Psalm 111:9 • People Cheapen the word Holy • Swearing by heave includes Heavens! “Good heavens!” “For heaven’s sake!”

10. Euphemisms for God and Jesus Used to Avoid Taking God’s Name in Vain • Misusing attributes of God such as: good, gracious, and merciful • “Mercy sakes,” “merciful heavens,” “my goodness,” “goodness gracious,” “good grief,” “good gracious,” “for goodness sake,” “goodness knows.”

11. Phonetic Euphemisms – Abbreviated Profanities • “Jeez” for Jesus • “What the” for “What the hell” • First letters: “SOB” “MF” “BS” “Bull” “PO” • “Word” added: “F” “S” “B” • Mispronunciations: “Fudge” “Frickin/Freakin” “Oh shoot!”

12. Why Devote a Whole Lesson to This Topic? • Topic us usually neglected • Usually receives only brief and superficial treatment • This topic so conflicts with the common understanding or our culture and tradition that it takes a lot of time to explain convincingly

13. How To Overcome The Use Of Corrupt Speech & Filthy Language • Think before we speak – Proverbs 15:28; James 1:19 • Remember the power of our words – Matthew 12:36,37; Proverbs 18:21 • Seek to edify others with our speech – Ephesians 4:29 • Honor others with our speech – 1 Peter 2:17

14. How To Overcome The Use Of Corrupt Speech & Filthy Language • Remember that we are always in the presence of God – Psalm 139:4, 7-12; 19:14 • Pray for God’s help – Psalm 141:3 • Seek to edify others with our speech – Ephesians 4:29 • Keep our hearts pure – Matthew 12:33-35; Proverbs 4:23,24; Philippians 4:8

15. Control Our Tongues – James 3:1-12 Speech should be sound – Titus 2:8 Gracious and seasoned – Colossians 4:6 Speaking truth in love – Ephesians 4:15 With all boldness – 2 Corinthians 3:12 Speak as the oracles of God – 1 Peter 4:11 Choose our words carefully – give an answer for them in judgment – Matthew 12:36,37; Psalm 19:14