• A good man out of the good treasure of his
heart brings forth good; and an evil man out
of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth
evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his
mouth speaks. Luke 6:45 (NKJV)
• James 3:1-12 affirms just how powerful the
human tongue can be in either doing good or
evil.
• The words in which we choose to speak
provide insight into our character.
“Euphemisms”
Euphemism
noun eu·phe·mism \ˈyü-fə-ˌmi-zəm\
1) A mild or pleasant word or phrase that is
used instead of one that is unpleasant or
offensive
2) The substitution an agreeable or inoffensive
expression for one that may offend or
suggest something unpleasant; also : the
expression so substituted
(Meriam-Webster Dictionary)
Euphemisms
• The Bible does give some examples of
acceptable euphemisms.
– It describes death as sleep or rest (1Kings 2:10;
Daniel 12:2; John 11:11; 1Thessalonians 4:15).
– In Matthew 15:17 Jesus used euphemistic
language to describe how we eliminate, through
the bowels, what we put into our mouths.
• In general, nothing is inherently wrong with all
euphemisms.
Euphemisms
• While some present no real concern for Christians, other
euphemisms do.
– Adulterers are said to “be in a relationship” instead of rebuked
for fornicating. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Ephesians 5:5).
– “Risqué”… do you understand that it means immodest?
(1Timothy 2:9)
– When someone is referred to as “gay” or “bisexual”… Do you
understand that speaks to homosexuality? (Leviticus 20:13; 1
Corinthians 6:9)
– “Off color” or “colorful language”… do you understand that it
means dirty jokes and cursing? (Ephesians 5:4)
• Let us be sure that we know what we are saying and that
those who hear us know what we mean.
Respect and Reverence for God
• In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name. Matt 6:9 (NKJV)
• "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in
vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes
His name in vain. Ex 20:7 (NKJV)
• And you shall not swear by My name falsely, nor shall
you profane the name of your God: I am the LORD. Lev
19:12 (NKJV)
– Taking God’s Name in vain is to treat is as useless, a part of
idle speech, or to bring down the respect of His name.
– To profane something is to pollute or defile it.
Cursing
• "Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness."
Romans 3:14 (NKJV)
• "And he who curses his father or his mother shall
surely be put to death.” Ex 21:17 (NKJV)
• Do not curse the king, even in your thought; Do
not curse the rich, even in your bedroom; For a
bird of the air may carry your voice, And a bird in
flight may tell the matter. Eccl 10:20 (NKJV)
– Bible examples of people cursing: 2 Samuel 16:5-8;
Matthew 26:73-74
Inappropriate Speech
o … knowing this: that the law is not made for a
righteous person, but for the lawless and
insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the
unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and
murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 for
fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for
perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is
contrary to sound doctrine, 1 Tim 1:9-10 (NKJV)
o … neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse
jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of
thanks. Eph 5:4 (NKJV)
– Shameful or obscene; buffoonery; vulgar joking.
– Christians should NOT speak like this!
Some Commonly
Used Euphemisms…
For Taking God’s
Name in Vain
For Curses
For Inappropriate
Speech
Golly, or Gee whiz (God) Dang (Damn)
Oh, shoot (Sh…#%)!
Gosh (God)
Darn (Damn)
Shucks (Sh…#%)!
Geez, Jeepers (Jesus)
Doggone (God damn)
Screw (Fornication)
Oh My Gosh, OMG (Oh
My God)
Gosh darn (God damn)
That sucks, blows (Lewd
act)
Heck (Hell)
Pissed (Vulgarity for
drunk, urine, and/or
Fu…**)
God’s desire is for His
children to control their speech…
• If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does
not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this
one's religion is useless. James 1:26 (NKJV)
• Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but
what is good for necessary edification, that it may
impart grace to the hearers. Eph 4:29 (NKJV)
• But I say to you that for every idle word men may
speak, they will give account of it in the day of
judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified,
and by your words you will be condemned. Matt
12:36-37 (NKJV)
Let us each resolve to
season our speech properly…
• Walk in wisdom toward those who are
outside, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech
always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that
you may know how you ought to answer each
one. Col 4:5-6 (NKJV)
Euphemisms
• A euphemism is a form of speech that doesn’t sound
as bad as the one that most consider offensive, but
the meaning of the word is the same.
– God’s desire is for His children to control their speech.
– The world thinks lightly of the sins of the tongue, but Jesus
taught us to take ALL speech seriously.
• If you have been using euphemisms that contradict
the godly instruction we have considered tonight,
then I urge you to stop using them now!