Ephesians 5:15 Be very careful, then, how you live–not as unwise but as wise (NIV)
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise (KJV)
There was a screen tee that circulated recently that said I love Jesus but sometimes I cuss a little, and boy oh boy, everyone and their momma posted that they needed that shirt. I tried to stay quiet, but my conviction on the topic wouldn’t let me. The admission of guilt is not the issue for me. There was a time, even after committing to Christ in a serious way, that wrong words would still slip from my pretty little lips like a seasoned pro. There were 3 straight seasons I gave up cursing for Lent…and failed miserably. So I don’t write this post from perched on a high, with my Better Then Thou screen tee. On the contrary I am right there in the trenches with you.
The advertisement is wrong, though. It makes it seems cute. It’s not.
I grew up in a home where we didn’t spill dirty laundry in public. While that is not always the healthiest approach (some things do need to be talked about in the open), it has shaped how I view groups. I just don’t believe that we should discuss flaws within the group, outside of the group, generally speaking. Race, gender, pro-bacon…
Even more so concerning Christians. If you have answered the call to walk this walk, there are rules that apply. I know, I know…no one likes rules. I don’t like them. But just like we inform our children, rules are put in place to protect us. And no, we can’t make our own rules, or redesign the ones that already exist. We must work hard to comply with the standard that Christ set. And he told us to walk circumspectly. That means to be careful and think things through before saying or doing anything. Why be careful? Because what we say and do may be a hindrance to someone who isn’t strong in their walk yet. Or worse, someone who hasn’t decided to walk with Christ yet. 1 Corinthians 8:9 says “Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.” Cursing alone will not send you to hell (even though we are instructed not entertain unwholesome talk Ephesians 4:29), but it may cause others to fall. It’s not cute to “cuss a little”, and even less cute when it affects others.
As women of God we have a responsibility to walk right, even in our struggles. You have a problem with cursing? You take it to Jesus and allow Him to work on your heart, and your mouth. Don’t proudly display it on a tee. He gets no glory from that. Follow His word to uplift His kingdom, instead of following trends.
