“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.” Ephesians 4:29 (NLT)
I recently attended a high school basketball game. It was during playoffs with the winner advancing to the regional finals. I saw some great basketball and observed an exceptional team effort in a close and competitive contest. The fans cheered as the local team secured the win, but my experience was a bit tainted by the outpouring of blatant profanity on the court.
A star senior brought a little bit more than his basketball prowess to the game.
His ability on the court was upstaged by a flare for the dramatic. I watched in disbelief as his body language corresponded to the four-letter words spewing forth from his mouth. How sad. Here was this talented young man, a likely role model to others, spouting off with such an abandoned respect for good sportsmanship.
Chalk it up to sports? Not so fast!
Jim Tressel, former Ohio State football coach, had his own thoughts about the pitfalls of using profanity on and off the field. With tongue-in-cheek humor, Tressel stressed the importance of first class conduct by including this page in his team’s handbook, the Winners Manual, each year.
Ten Reasons Why I Swear
- It pleases my mother so much.
- It is a fine mark of manliness.
- It proves I have self-control.
- It indicates how clearly my mind operates.
- It makes my conversation so pleasing to everybody.
- It leaves no doubt in anyone’s mind as to my good breeding.
- It impresses people that I have more than an ordinary education.
- It is an unmistakable sign of culture and refinement.
- It makes me a very desirable personality among women, children, and respectable society.
- It is my way of honoring God, who said, “You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God.”
My life is not much different from that basketball game. My body language and the words I say are often on display or within earshot for others to observe, especially my own family. I read the verse in Ephesians again. Is everything I say good and helpful? Are my words always an encouragement to others? Quite honestly I fall short of the mark, but the impact of watching that game was food for my soul. It triggered in me a desire to be more accountable as I interact with others.
I’m on a lifelong journey to become more Christ-like and lucky for me, He’s in the business of transforming lives.
When the ball’s in my court, Christ expects no less than the best from me!
