10 Ways to Know You're Getting it Right -- #9

You know the old parental charge:  If you can't find something good to say, say nothing at all.  We are so loose with language in our world.   We use words of anger, vulgarity, and sloth to describe life.  We dishonor God by gabbing loosely (if not vulgarly) and espousing without thought or reference the name of God or our Savior.  Cursing is no longer an unacceptable character trait; but it has become the phonics of life.  As for me and mine....God has blessed us with amazing minds, hearts, souls.....so let us use each to express what we are saying in an honorable way to another and to reflect our character.  AND using initials or acronyms doesn't make it any better.  Have we become so self-absorbed, self-centered and careless of integrity and the value God created in us....that we allow disgust and loose tongues and idle character to be normative.  What a shame.  Maybe it is time we start listening to our words....and making sure our words are appropriate to be heard.....

Anyway.....number 9 of the 10 ways to know if you're getting it right -- i.e. you are growing in passion and relationship to God.....it is.....

9. A Disgust for the Shameful.

The more we become like Christ--and that is God's plan for every believer--the more we will find ourselves turning away in disgust at activities that used to fascinate us.

Paul spoke of certain activities as "shameful even to speak of" (Ephesians 5:12).

On another occasion, Paul spoke of the enemies of the cross of Christ: "Whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame." They "set their minds on earthly things," he said (Philippians 3:19).

No dirty jokes for me, thank you. No questionable movies or books or magazines. Not even the (ahem) mildly racy stuff.  I'll stick with Andy Griffith reruns....they did so many things without having to engage in even mildly shameful; nor foul language; nor belittling or claiming power by bullying or labeling others. 

We just don't need it anymore. We have better things to do and watch and read and say.  

So...enough with the shame; how about a little personal integrity and self-respect....lets act and speak like we are created by a God who designed us for good....not raunchy......then--one of the signs you know you are growing in life and faith....you begin to speak with honor and not reflecting the decadence of this age.   

tHINK aBOUT tHESE tHINGS