what did you say?

My husband sent me a link the other day for an article entitled 'Christian Cussing?' 

This topic is actually something that had been on my heart and mind for a couple of months now, as I listen to my children mimic my speech. As crazy as it may seem [today], I want my children to be well-spoken, use proper grammar and even know what the words they use mean. With that being said, it is difficult for my children NOT to be exposed to illiterate speech. We live in an illiterate society. [I am in no way saying that every single person we come into contact with is illiterate. This is a generalization made from simply listening to people around me and is not meant to offend, just make aware. Words are important.] 

{Even more importantly} I also do not want my children uttering profanity. BUT, what is profanity? What is unacceptable speech? Is it just the 'major' cursings [the Lord's name in any way other than speaking to or about Him, the 4-letter words, etc. I am not going to spell them out]? Or are slang [replaced] words wrong, too? The linked article at the beginning of this post has quite a list of slang-I will not try to delve into that. Please read what he has listed. Some of those expressions I had never heard of. But several I had, and seeing their origin made me question whether or not I should say them let alone my children!   

In Psalms 19 the Bible says: Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

If I am expressing words simply to let my emotion have voice [as the majority of reasons for cursing, swearing, or whatever you call it] are these 'words of my mouth being acceptable in the sight of the Lord'? They have no use other than expressing feelings. They often are not even used in proper context. [Is God going to bring damnation on an object just because you don't like it?]

These are just some thoughts that have been in my heart for a while. I would love to read your opinions [kind words, please], but I must show one example that puts shame on my head. I have often spoken the words 'oh my goodness' when I am at a loss of how to express shock or sadness. Each time, I would feel a prick in my spirit that those words were being used vainly, but I did not fully examine it until recently [not many days before I read that article]. 

One question I finally faced gave me my shame: 

Who/what IS my goodness? 

Do I even HAVE goodness apart from The Good One? 

So is that not in essence saying.... Lord, I have no respect for your name or the simple fact that You are good. 

As I said. Just a thought.

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homemaker by choice