Be Careful How You Speak

5Do not speak harshly to an older man, but speak to him as to a father, to younger men as brothers, ²to older women as mothers, to younger women as sisters—with absolute purity. ~ 1Timothy 5:1-2

Growing up, I remember being told to always speak with respect to my elders – not that that always happened when I was upset with my parents when I didn’t get my way, or with my brothers when they annoyed me.  For the most part, I did speak with respect to others outside of my immediate family.  Now, in public and in a former workplace I have heard foul language used as every day forms of speech (one was to or about his mother, who was also his employer) and these people feel offended if anyone calls them on it – saying that they can say what and how they want, because of freedom of speech.  

A dear woman that volunteers at my church told me of a recent trip in which a man boarded the train she was on and was spouting the foulest language, which offended her and those around her.  A younger woman called him out on it, to which he started spouting the foul language replies for her to mind her own business and he would speak as he wished.

What has happened to today’s society?  Where have respect and good manners gone?  Is no one being held accountable for behaving properly in public so as not offend others?  Paul wrote to Timothy that we should “not speak harshly to an older man, but speak to him as to a father, to younger men as brothers, to older women as mothers, to younger women as sisters – with absolute purity.”  We are to speak to one another with love and respect, not spout off foul language to upset them.    Ephesians 4.15 tells us “But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,…”  If anything does upset you, remember to “speak in love” to those that have upset you in order to try to resolve issues.  This is what Christ would call us to do as well.   

Prayer 

Dear Lord,Help us to remember that we are all Your children and we are all adopted into one family with You as our Father.  Help us to remember to always speak to each other with respect and love, no matter what issues we may not agree on or with.  Help us to be more like Christ to one another in all we do and say.  Amen.