"Words"

I am simply amazed how words in our day and time are used. Words that were one time innocent and nothing wrong in their usage have become degrading, deplorable  and vile. I don't know who invented the change of such words. While growing up, and I guess I'll age myself, the term "gay" meant joyous or happy. It has taken on another concept now. Words to degrade women and insult people come from a wicked and evil heart. There is an entire dictionary, or so it seems, of sexual and anatomical words that are used to throw filth and insults on others and they flow freely in so many of our movies and have made their way into the lives of many. They are words used to sting, to shock and let one know how they feel deep down inside about another or situation.

I can remember growing up that even the slightest slip of a word in the presence of a woman or child was immediately followed with a humble apology. Not any more. It is common, rude and crude language that has found it's way into the heart and mind of many a person. Hang around young people and it will surprise you of the language they use openly with little regard to anyone around. What is happening to us? What is leading our lives in a direction that when we find ourselves stressed or disturbed about a situation that the flow of such words comes from the lips? It sure isn't the Lord!!

But there is another side too. The words that are used in the religious language can be just a troublesome. That might shock you but take the words "majesty" or "sovereignty" or "infinite wisdom" which were used to described God. When is the last time you heard those? We have taken God down to such a human based level that God has become cozy with us and "sinner-friendly"! We have take words of God, the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ as "chummy." We use words to describe holiness and righteousness as its all about you and "one-on-one" relationship. We hear how God is out to make the church "happy" and when we assemble in His name it is "happy hour!" (I recently heard that one in a large congregation.) Where are all these things coming from? It's sure not from moving closer to the Lord and His holiness!

We need to be careful of the words we use. We need to realize what we speak come from what is happening in our heart. The lack of reverence (there's another word rarely used anymore) and respect seem to be infiltrating the mind and heart of so many. The deep cutting and vile words so many use in the moment of anger will become old and new words will pop up from hearts that are filled with this kind of thinking. The same among the religious. There will be new "buzz" words thrown around for our religious views, while sermons are built on them and lives center around them. It makes me wonder, are we really listening to the Lord anymore? Are we really listening and taking Him to heart? Please God....may WE open our hearts to hear, cleanse the filth with the blood of your Son and receive YOUR message and perceive YOUR majesty!