Skip to main content
The band Building 429 has an unusual name. It caused me to explore what it meant which I am sure is the point. They are named after the passage in Ephesians 4:29 which says "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." Edification is about spiritual growth and also refers to anything that is uplifting. Whenever I hear that word uplift, my eyes naturally turn to Heaven and I think of God. Have you noticed how prevalent foul language has become. It used to be that your television was a fairly safe sanctuary but now with the advent of "reality" shows, that has been obliterated. Sometimes I sit and count the numbers of bleeps in a five minute segment of a TV program. It is unsettling and very insulting. Why does that person think they need to use so many offensive words? Why has language become so littered with the profane? Don't even get me started on movies. I was at a theater recently and had to leave because of the level of profanity. I am not prudish but I really felt like the language was assaultive. I like a story with dialogue. I also like an action picture. Neither of those requires me to be offended five times in one sentence by the use of inappropriate language. I have also noticed that women used to be holding the line but not anymore. If you find yourself in a group with a majority of 18-30 year olds, you will likely hear lots of profanity and it is just as likely to come from the women as the men. The scripture passage from Ephesians instructs us that people will decide what kind of person we are by the way we use our words. So if you edify and build up in a positive manner, people will likely decide that you are decent and kind. They may also consider that you are a Christian or maybe religious. Some may even come to the conclusion that you are well mannered. All of these conclusions are good and things we should aspire to do. It is the little steps in improvement that bring about life-altering changes. So what comes out of your mouth? I encourage you to journal about this scripture passage. Begin to notice how you speak. Even in general situations like in the check-out line at the store or even on the phone when a telemarketer calls. Our world could use a vacation from all of the profanity. Wouldn't it be a nicer place if we spoke to edify rather than to shock?

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Jesus Came to End Death and to Build a Church

The twelve apostles chosen by Jesus formed the bedrock of the early Church , and their Catholic identity is deeply rooted in their direct relationship with Christ and the mission He entrusted to them. The Catechism of the Catholic Church highlights this foundational role, stating that Jesus "instituted the Twelve as 'the seeds of the new Israel and the beginning of the sacred hierarchy'" ( CCC 860 ). These men were not simply followers; they were handpicked by Jesus, lived intimately with Him, witnessed His miracles and teachings firsthand, and were specifically commissioned to preach the Gospel to all nations ( Matthew 28:19-20 ). Their unique position as eyewitnesses to the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, and their reception of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, established them as the authoritative leaders of the nascent Church, a reality echoed in the writings of early Church Fathers like Ignatius of Antioch, who emphasized the apostles' authority as repre...

Pope Saint John Paul II and the Socialist Threat

Pope Saint John Paul II , a towering figure of the 20th century, was a staunch critic of socialist ideologies. He recognized the inherent flaws in systems that sought to control economies and societies through centralized planning and state ownership. The pontiff's teachings offered a prophetic warning against the dangers of such regimes, which often led to oppression, poverty, and the erosion of individual freedoms. Recently, a conference organized by the Catholic Association of Propagandists in Spain brought together prominent figures who echoed the concerns raised by the late Pope. Bishop JosƩ Ignacio Munilla of Orihuela-Alicante boldly declared socialism an "enemy of the cross," highlighting its incompatibility with Christian values. He emphasized the need for a spiritual renewal, urging individuals to embrace the cross as a path to true happiness and fulfillment. French philosopher Fabrice Hadjadj also addressed the challenges posed by modern society, warning ag...

Unpacking Prophecy: Common Pitfalls in Scriptural Interpretation

One of the most significant hurdles people face when engaging with Scripture lies in the interpretation of prophecy. It's a common misconception that prophetic passages inherently refer to future events, leading many to overlook their immediate context. A crucial starting point for understanding prophecy is to first look for its fulfillment in the time period closest to the prophet. Only after considering this contemporary application should we then explore the possibility of more distant or future fulfillments. This foundational principle helps to ground our understanding and prevent misinterpretations that can arise from solely focusing on what's to come. Beyond the tendency to project all prophecy into the future, another pervasive error is adopting an "egocentric" interpretation, where individuals believe biblical prophecy is primarily about them. While extreme examples involve figures like Charles Manson or David Koresh claiming to be prophesied individuals, a ...