Today,
reply is on blasphemy, discipline for speech and thought, and
casually using the phrase “in God’s
name.” Using mild expletives (e.g., dang!; darn!; shucks!) are
thought to make one colorful and memorable, yet, undermine control
and self-discipline. Cursing, swearing, and threatening are not the
only forms of speech that introduce division, nourish immaturity, and
trigger violence within the family circle and in the home.
Thoughtful Christians also will stay on guard against blasphemy,
exaggeration, irreverence, and lying. Properly understood, ones
speech and thoughts are to continually display Christlikeness, and
minister to others such elements as admonition, blessing, comfort,
correction, praise, prayer, prophecy, teaching, and thanksgiving.
The fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” Religion and Spirituality
public forum who uses the ID “Katie J.” (Level 1 with 3 points, a
member since April 22, 2010) posted the following:
When
is it appropriate to ask questions in God’s name?
My
nine year old son just learned about asking questions in God’s name
and has been having an absolute field day with it. He asks everything
from “where in God’s name should we order pizza from?” to
“where in God’s name is the salt shaker?” and “when in God’s
name was the last time the dog went out to pee?”. I asked him to
chill with it and he just asked me “why in God’s name should I
stop?” and I didn’t have a real answer for him. Is there certain
criteria to ask things in God’s name? I need to make sure I have
the rule right before I go tell him and he asks “where in God’s
name did I learn that?” It’s getting out of hand.
THE
GOLDEN ARROW: Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the
council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;
But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found
they none. At the last came two false witnesses, And said, This
fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to
build it in three days. And the high priest arose, and said unto
him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness
against thee? But Jesus held his peace, And the high priest answered
and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us
whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus saith unto him,
Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see
the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the
clouds of heaven. Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He
hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses?
behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. What think ye? They
answered and said, He is guilty of death. Then did they spit in his
face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of
their hands, Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that
smote thee? (Matthew 26: 59-68, King James Version, KJV)
THE
DOUBLE DAGGER: Bible Definitions Of Sin (10/01/2018); Power Of The
Tongue (01/04/2018); Christianity Is Not Mindless (05/02/2017); “Good
grief!” and Prophecy? (11/06/2016); Freedom of Foul Speech
(09/10/2014); Dating and Worship? (09/11/2014); Blasphemy Against the
GODhead (05/06/2014); Offenses to GODhead (05/07/2014); Acknowledging
Divinity? (03/30/2013)
“Katie
J.”, sinners who choose to become “developing Christians” are
encouraged to change their patterns of speech and thought so that
their consciousness can become filled by, and continually give
expression to the Spirit of GOD. Because believers are to avoid
casual use of language that may be regarded as “cheap talk” and
hurtful (e.g., pronouncing curses, exaggeration, gossip, lies,
obscenity, profanity, rumors, slander, vulgarity), many also avoid
insults, “ranking”, slang, and the use of expletives (i.e.,
expressions of surprise) that may include OMY Gosh/O my God/OMG.
Within
the household of faith the goal of achieving spiritual maturity and
becoming ripe for harvest by the Lord at his coming (i.e., the
Advent; the Rapture; the Second Coming) is met through emphasis upon
accountability, consistency, duty, respect, sacred practice, and
unselfishness. This purpose also will be seen in the careful use of
words to acknowledge the awesomeness of divinity, maintain godliness,
and continually convey reverence (we say awe; fear of the Lord).
Where believers use the phrase “in the name of the Lord” there
are multiple meanings. Included are, I ask/command/require/speak as
(1) an anointed agent, representative, or spokesperson from the Lord;
(2) in obedience to the Lord; (3) having authority from the Lord; and
(4) on pain of divine judgment against you. Consider again the
following that uses language from the holy writings:
(1.)
Proverbs 10: 18-20, King James Version (KJV): 18 He that hideth
hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is
a fool. 19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he
that refraineth his lips is wise. 20 The tongue of the just
is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little
worth.
(2.)
James 3: 6-14, KJV: 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of
iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the
whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set
on fire of hell. 7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of
serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of
mankind: 8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly
evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Therewith bless we God, even the
Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the
similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and
cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11 Doth a
fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine,
figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. 13
Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him
shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory
not, and lie not against the truth.
(3.)
Hebrews 13: 15, KJV: 15 By him therefore let us offer the
sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our
lips giving thanks to his name.
There
is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually
apprehended. (For example, (4.) Matthew 12: 30-37, KJV: 30 He
that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me
scattereth abroad. 31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin
and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against
the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. 32 And
whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be
forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it
shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the
world to come. 33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit
good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the
tree is known by his fruit. 34 O generation of vipers, how
can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of
the heart the mouth speaketh. 35 A good man out of the good treasure
of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the
evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. 36 But I say unto you,
That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account
thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be
justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.) Even so, I
trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your
faith.
THE
BLACK PHOENIX
Washington,
DC
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