Ephesians 4:29 – Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. (NLTse)

What makes bad words bad? Some of the words that we consider to be bad today, were commonly used at one time. Words like “ass” and “damn” are found in the Bible, yet even when used in their proper context many people get self-righteous and offended. So often we get offended and indignant when people use swear words, or other words deemed to be vulgar but we seem to have no problem using words like idiot, moron, fool, and other equally demeaning words to refer to other people.

I must admit, I’m not as offended by the words that many considered to be “vulgar” or swear words. I’m more offended and concerned about the harsh words and names that we use toward each other.

We carelessly throw around words that hurt and demean people, not giving a single thought to what we are saying, or even to the effects or implications that those words have. When I think of some of the things we say to each other I can’t help but wonder, what we are doing, not only to each other, but also to the cause of Christ. We are certainly not showing the love of Christ when we call each other demeaning names. It’s time we stop and think about the words we use.

Ephesians 4:31 gives us a list attitudes and behaviors that we are to rid ourselves of. Immediately after bitterness and rage, the NLT includes “harsh words” among that list.  I think those three things tend to go together. Maybe if we truly get rid of the bitterness and rage, well be more successful at ridding ourselves of the harsh words and cruel names that we call each other. Just a thought.