Word Crimes: Foolish Speech

 A wimpy woman is foolish with her speech. But a strong woman is wise with her words.

Picture from www.salon.com

This weekend my friend Brittney was telling me about how Weird Al (who knew that guy was still around!) made a song based off the popular hit song "Blurred Lines." Weird Al's version is called "Word Crimes," discussing the faux pas of grammar misuse. With a simple google search, and a click of your mouse, you can hear it too!  

But it did make me think about the word crimes we can commit when we use our speech for evil not good. 

When we use words in a sinful way they come out as gossip and slander, harshly tearing down those around us. On the flip side, words used for God’s glory come out as amazing encouragement and truth.

James 3:9-13 says

⁹ With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. ¹⁰ Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, (or my sisters) this should not be. ¹¹ Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? ¹² My brothers (or sisters) can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 

Likewise Proverbs 18:21 says--The tongue has the power of life and death

Listen ladies, Gossip is when we talk to another person about someone else’s issue when that person can not or is not helpful to the solution of the situation. 

 Picture from https://www.mylilybell.com

I see often that we mask our gossip by forming it into a prayer request. You have all heard them : "Hey would you pray for Susie, she’s really struggling with purity right now…because she got back with her Ex, who is so not attractive and..blahblahblah."

Not ok!

Can I challenge you women to be women of strength by bringing life with your words. Do not slander and tear down. Do not talk about others. Don’t be overly critical and cover it up by joking. Be different. 

The world has enough gossipers and slanders. Be a conversation changer. Be a woman that speaks of life.

Eleanor Roosevelt said this:

“Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people." 

Lets be Great minds and discuss ideas, not people.
 

Build up people that are living worthy lives, even when they are not around. Speak well of your brothers and sisters and honor them when they are out of earshot. It will eventually get back to them and bless them!

Proverbs 31: 26 says a woman of Noble Character  is one who speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.  

Let your words be beacons of light and truth, not death and destruction. Be wise in your speech.

Also, be a woman of the Word! All wisdom starts and ends with God and His words of truth. Why not look to his book for wisdom? 

“The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom..” Proverbs 9:10

This blog brought to you by Brittney's ten year old daughter, Audrey, who also informed me that "Batman" can now be used as an adjective, synonymous with the word "awesome."