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I do have a strong opinion about censorship of “bad” words. To explain why, I must start with establishing that I believe that the Bible is absolutely true. (And even in gathering these Bible verses, I have been convicted of my own shortcomings in the area of speech and conversation.) There are things in the Bible that I don’t fully understand, but I still choose to put my faith in the words and wisdom that I read there. And, I think what WE refer to as “censorship” is actually called for in the Bible. However, I think the term “grace-filled” would be a more appropriate way to describe how we should be communicating with one another.

I think God give us guidelines because he cares for each one of us and wants each one to be treated with love and respect.

I believe that the words we choose to communicate with ARE important. As human beings, words are our main form of communication. They paint mental pictures. Words mean things, each with its own meanings. As you know, F--- has a real definition. Is that what people are meaning when they use it? Usually not. Our culture plays a big part in deciding what words are “bad”, but for the most part they get their reputation via their definition, connotation or implications.

So, here is why I believe what I believe. (I have included the Greek and Hebrew definitions of certain words to prevent myself from manipulating God’s word just to fit my philosophy.)

Ecclesiastes 10:12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious.

gracious = favorable, pleasant, elegance, charm

Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be with grace,

grace = that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness, grace of speech; good will, loving-kindness, favour, of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore comfort one another and edify one another,

edify = to build a house, erect a building, to build (up from the foundation), to restore by building, to rebuild, repair

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for the necessary edification that it may impart grace to the hearers.

corrupt = rotten, putrefied, corrupted by one and no longer fit for use, worn out, of poor quality, bad, unfit for use, worthless

Colossians 3:8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds…

blasphemy = slander, detraction, speech injurious to another's good name, impious and reproachful speech injurious to divine majesty

filthy language = foul speaking, low and obscene speech

Ephesians 5:3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you as is fitting for saints: neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor course jesting, which are not fitting,

Fornication = adultery, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals etc., sexual intercourse with close relatives;

Uncleanness= in a moral sense: the impurity of lustful, luxurious, profligate living, of impure motives

Covetousness= greedy desire to have more, avarice

Filthiness= obscenity

Course jesting= scurrility ( The quality of being vulgar, coarse, or abusive), ribaldry ( Vulgar, lewdly humorous language or joking or an instance of it.)

So, let’s see. We should speak graciously, truthfully, with kindness, giving encouragement and strength to the hearers. We shouldn’t be mean, sexually suggestive, dishonest, hateful, slanderous, selfish, or lustful in our communication.

// posted by jacquie @ 8:51 PM