WHAT the @#$%&^!!!!!

One morning I was reading a reflection that noted how truly amazing it is that not an idle word or wasted moment will escape God's justice.  He then quoted the following,

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will render an account for every careless word they speak.  By your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.  (Matthew 12:36-37 emphasis mine) 

WHAT???  Jesus said WHAT?????  I practically flew to my Bible to check and see.  Yep.  It's there.  So I ran to the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible to check it.  Yep.  It's there, too.   Oh dear.  This, of course, begs the question:


WHAT IS A CARELESS WORD?

A careless word is a word spoken without careful attention or consideration.  If you are speaking without concern of the subject, or are not accurate in your speech, you are using a careless word.  Have you ever been in an argument and later had to apologize for something you said?  "I didn't mean that..."  That is a careless word.

NO FOUL LANGUAGE
Paul writes in the letter to the Ephesians, "No foul language should come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for needed edification, that it may impart grace to those who hear...no obscenity or silly or suggestive talk, which is out of place, but instead thanksgiving."  (Eph. 4:29 and 5:4)

Foul language and obscenities are clear enough to me, and suggestive talk conjures up sexual tones, so I understand that, too.  But what does Paul mean by "silly talk"?   The Greek word is "EUTRAPELIA " and means scurrility (A vulgar, coarse, or abusive remark or passage) or ribaldry (humorous entertainment in the genre of sexual entertainment, such as pornography and erotica.).  Paul is reminding us that vulgar talk, including obscenities, foul words, or casual sexual slurs, even when joking, does not have a place in a Christian's life.  

JUNK IN, JUNK OUT

One should not speak idle talk, for it is neither useful to those who listen, nor necessary or permissible with regard to God.  (Saint Basil the Great in his letter to Gregory of Nazianzus)

Saint Basil the Great seems to classify talk as being either useful and necessary in regards to God, or not.  Could this be what Jesus means by careless words?  Is talking about the latest episode of Survivor or Charlie Sheen in this category because it is not (readily) necessary with regard to God?  Saint Paul does warn us that those whose minds "are occupied with earthly things" "conduct themselves as enemies of the cross of Christ." (Phil. 3:18-19 paraphrased)  

Many times entertainment distracts us from things of importance.  The very definition of entertainment includes "diversion".  This can be a tool in the hands of the enemy, who delights in nothing more than keeping us distracted and diverted from what is truly important and eternal.  TV shows, headlines and sports are not necessarily bad, but they can be if this is all that we talk about.  Many times popular entertainment works as an opening in the conversation and helps establish common ground.  In this case, talking about entertainment is merely a temporary stage in the conversation or relationship-building in order to get to more important matters of the heart.  

AVOID PROFANE, IDLE TALK

"Avoid profane, idle talk, for such people will become more and more godless" (2 Tim 2:16).  Profane talk describes irreverence or contempt for God or sacred things.  This can be as blatant as "cussing" or as subtle as exclaiming, "Oh, for Heaven's sake!"  Why should we speak carelessly about something as glorious and sacred as Heaven?  

There was a period in my life when I spoke filthy words regularly.  Through the years, I have been amazed at how difficult it is to rid myself of these words.  I've found that hearing foul words, usually in movies, allows them to echo in my mind, cluttering it from more important things.  In times of distress or fear there is a certain word that flies out of my mouth.  Last summer I fell down the stairs and yelled the word with each step I hit on the way down!  I was so angry with myself that I decided I needed a new approach. Instead of simply trying to hold it inside, I begged the Lord to give me another word.   If I need to say something, let it be something that brings glory to Him!   This was hugely successful for me, but I find if I am lacking in my prayer life or neglect to receive Grace in the Sacrament of Confession, the words find a way to creep back into my mind!

WHAT TO TALK ABOUT

• Words needed for edification (Eph. 4:29)
• Words that impart grace (Eph. 4:29)
• Words that give thanks (Eph. 5:4)
• Words that speak of His glory and tell of His great works (Ps. 145:11)
• Words that speak of loving the Lord with all your heart, soul and strength.  (Deut. 6:5-7)
• Words that lighten the moment or make people laugh (Proverbs 15:13-15 and 1 Thes. 5:14)
• Words of encouragement (Proverbs 16:24)

The next two weeks will focus on using our tongue to bless others.

HOW TO OVERCOME FOUL LANGUAGE

1. THINK before you speak!
2. WEAR a rubber band around your wrist and snap it if you say the word.
3. STOP AND REPEAT the sentence several times without the negative word.  
4. PAY a designated amount of money in a jar each time you say the word.  Use it for a good cause.
5. PAY ATTENTION to when you struggle the most with your words.  Perhaps you need a break from a certain group of friends or to avoid certain movies. 
6. APOLOGIZE to the person or people to whom you have spoken foul language.  
7. PRAY! Ask the Lord to be the gatekeeper of your lips!  (Psalm 141:3)