Plain Speaking 2

In my last post on July 15, 2018, I mentioned that I, personally, have problems with forward, vain, and profane speech.  Over the years, I have tried to do better in my own strength.  However, I learned to swear early and proficiently, and I have always been a smart-aleck and a know-it-all.  It has only been in the last four years, after the Lord dealt with me, that I have been able to get rid of the outward profanity and forward speech.  I still struggle with profane self-talk, and I still “backslide” into being a wiseacre.  The Lord calls me on it, though, and I confess and yield to Him.

After continuing to admonish us about our pride and the desires of the sinful nature, the Holy Spirit speaks again through James to tell us how to have victory:

What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you?

Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members?

You lust and do not have; so you commit murder.

You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel.

You do not have because you do not ask.

You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives,

so that you may spend it on your pleasures.

You adulteresses,

do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God?

Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: "He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us"?

But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says,

 "GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE."

Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

(James 4:1-8 NASB)

https://www.biblestudytools.com/nas/james/4.html

  

Plain Speaking

Some years ago, I saw an amusing wall a plaque for sale.  It read something like this:

I know you understand what you think I said,

but I’m not sure you understand what I think it was that I said.

I have found that one of the hardest things to do in life is to convey an idea intact from one human being to another.  We can say it, write it, and use pictures, graphs, charts, and illustrations, to name a few.  However, it takes a great deal of effort to communicate in a way that is fully understood; if that is possible.  The diversity of the languages and dialects we speak only makes things worse.

I have been taught that communication should be clear, concise, correct, and complete.  I have observed that the public schools no longer teach people how to write.

Jesus said:

But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.'

For whatever is more than these

is from the evil one. (Matthew 5:37 NKJV)

https://www.biblestudytools.com/nkjv/matthew/5.html

Taken in context, Jesus was speaking about swearing an oath.  A more general application to cursing and forward speech has often been applied.  The idea that we should communicate carefully is supported by other scriptures:

If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man

 able also to bridle the whole body.

Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us,

and we turn their whole body.

Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds,

they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires.

Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.

See how great a forest a little fire kindles!

 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity.

The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body,

and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.

For every kind of beast and bird, or reptile and creature of the sea,

is tamed and has been tamed by mankind.

 But no man can tame the tongue.

It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men,

who have been made in the similitude of God.

Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing.

My brethren, these things ought not to be so.  (James 3:2-10 NKJV)

https://www.biblestudytools.com/nkjv/james/3.html

The fear of the LORD is to hate evil;

Pride and arrogance and the evil way

And the perverted mouth, I hate.  (Proverbs 8:13 NASB)

https://www.biblestudytools.com/nas/proverbs/8.html  

I am as culpable as anyone, and I will do better.  Forward, flamboyant speech depends on the reader or listener to be able to apprehend its intent and true meaning.  Consequently, it is often misinterpreted and misunderstood.  People like it because it is colorful and interesting.  At its root, however, we often find pride of opinion.