Forbidden From Saying the Word “Bingo”

Austin Whaley thought his little stunt would be funny.  He walked into a local bingo hall and shouted, “Bingo!”  Many of the patrons and elderly women present did not appreciate the teen’s hubbub and ballyhoo.  Unfortunately for Austin, there was also an off duty security detail present who cited him for disorderly conduct (KETV).

A month later Whaley came before a judge who passed a rather unusual sentencing, “Do not say the word 'bingo' for six months” (ibid).  If Austin does not comply with the punishment, he could be facing 90 days in prison and a $250 fine.  If he obeys, the charges will be dropped.  While this situation was silly and mostly harmless, in some people’s minds Austin crossed the line with his joke.  Some people, especially those in the bingo hall, didn’t find his actions funny or amusing at all.

Most people enjoy laughing and joking around, but sometimes we can take it too far.  Ephesians 5:4 says, “and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.”  Colossians 3:8 instructs, “But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.”

The question is, what do some of these terms mean?  Should we never joke?  When can having fun and joking around go too far?  Let’s briefly define what these Bible terms mean.

• Filthy Talk: This is language that is crass, crude, and obscene.  Examples of this kind of speech include cursing, inappropriate sexual talk, and crude humor.
• Silly Talk: This is language that is foolish and moronic.  This is the kind of joking and unbridled speaking one would expect from a drunk or a fool.  This also includes those who are wise in their own eyes and reject wisdom.
• Coarse Jesting:  This is off color humor and inappropriate jokes.  This would include jokes about immoral activities (sex, drinking, drugs, etc), racist jokes, and any other type of joking that is vulgar and crude.
• Slander:  This is using words to damage someone’s reputation and character.  Examples of this include gossip, telling lies about someone, and saying things that defame and hurt someone (even if joking).
• Abusive Speech: This is speech that hurts, demeans, and discourages others.  Some examples included put downs, insults, sharp comebacks, angry words, and speech that humiliates.

We must be very careful with the words we use (Ephesians 4:29).  As a rule of thumb, if something we say demeans or insults someone, involves bad words, uses inappropriate sexual talk, or includes off color jokes, then we are crossing the line (even if we’re just joking).  There’s nothing wrong with good-natured jokes and having a good time, but we must be careful not to take it too far.  Let’s never allow the words and jokes we say damage our reputation and character as Christians (Matthew 26:74).

DO YOU WANT TO IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF PROMOTION?

Neal Pollard

A poll just released by Harris Interactive shows that employers are less likely to promote a worker who curses.  These bosses gave several reasons why.  Bad language calls a person's professionalism into question.  Employers see such as a self-control problem.  They also see it as a lack of maturity and a sign of lower intelligence (via PRNewswire and Careerbuilder.com).  The bottom line is that "bad words leave bad impressions" (ibid.).

Certainly, a Christian does not need such a survey and should not be threatened by these findings.  The Bible makes speech a basic building block of good influence for those of us who are ambassadors for Christ.  Being "sound in speech" puts one "beyond reproach" with "opponents" who may be prone to have something "bad to say about us" (Titus 2:8).  Our speech should "always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt" in order to properly "respond to each person" (Colossians 4:6).  No "unwholesome word" should "proceed" from our mouths (Ephesians 4:29).  Jesus warned that "the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart" (Matthew 12:34).

What an opportunity God gives Christians in this world to represent Him to them!  We should not be most concerned with what monetary value there is in keeping our speech pure and clean, but rather consider above all else the spiritual value!  We should not be only concerned with what potentially negative impact bad language may have on a superior, but equally focused on how it impacts peers and subordinates.  For good or bad, our language does make a difference.  It should reflect truth, honorableness, right, purity, loveliness, and good reputation for these should be that upon which we are reflecting (Philippians 4:8).  Whether or not it wins you an earthly promotion, guard your speech out of interest for that spiritual promotion!

Lord, Please Give Me A Mouth Guard!

Neal Pollard

Greek Triple jumper, Voula Papachristou tweeted herself right out of a spot in the 2012 Olympics in London.  What she said was only 15 words long, followed by three exclamation points.  But the racial overtones of her statement were enough to get her ousted from the games.  At first she sloughed it off, but then she issued a series of apologies.  None were enough to save her from being banned.

In the long ago, King David prayed, “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips” (Ps. 141:3).  This should be the daily prayer we all pray.  With twitter, Facebook, and other social media proliferating our words, this prayer extends to the words we type as well as speak.  We have become too comfortable with unguarded mouths and unwatched lips.  The damage of that is immeasurable.

Please give me a mouth guard when teaching or preaching.  May I give careful thought to say what is accurate and biblically true (cf. Js. 3:1).  May I humbly correct (2 Tim. 2:25), preach with great patience (2 Tim. 4:2), and speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15).  May I neither add to nor take away from that Holy Word (cf. Rev. 22:18-19).

Please give me a mouth guard when speaking to the lost.  May my speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt (Col. 4:6).  May it be sound speech beyond reproach (Ti. 2:8), exemplary speech (1 Ti. 4:12), bold to share Jesus but gentle, patient, and kind (2 Ti. 2:24-26).

Please give me a mouth guard when speaking to other Christians.  May my words sustain weary brethren (Isa. 50:4).  May my words, filtered through thorough self-examination, gently restore the erring (Gal. 6:1). May it be what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers (Eph. 4:29).  May I reprove and rebuke (2 Ti. 4:2), moved by transparent, known love and care (cf. 1 Pe. 2:17).

Please give me a mouth guard when speaking to my family.  May I not treat them more harshly than I treat strangers, speaking cruel, bitter, or hateful words to them (cf. Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:19).  May I not neglect to speak wholesome, encouraging words to them. May I shudder to neglect speaking constantly to them of spiritual things (Dt. 6:1-6).

Voula is paying for her reckless speech.  My fervent prayer is that I may avoid that fate eternally.  Jesus says our every word will be judged (Mt. 12:36-37).  Lord, please give me a mouth guard!

Major Miscommunication

 

A photographer for a national magazine was assigned to get photos of a forest fire.  The photographer tried several times but the smoke was just too thick.  So, he asked his boss to hire a plane so he could take aerial photos.  Arrangements were made and the photographer was told to go to the local airport where a small plane would be waiting for him.  When he arrived, a plane was sitting on the runway warming up the engines.  The photographer ran over to the plane, jumped in with his equipment and yelled over to the pilot, “Alright, let’s go!”

The pilot revved up the engine and soon the plane soared into the air.  The photographer told the pilot to head north towards the mountains.  When they arrived at the forest fire, the photographer said, “Fly as low as you can over the fire and make three or four level passes.”  “Why would you want me to do something dangerous like that?” asked the pilot.  The photographer responded, "Because I'm going to take pictures.  I'm a photographer and photographers take pictures!"  After a pause the pilot looked over with a horrified look and said, "You mean you're not the flight instructor?" (SermonIllustrations.com).

This is what one might call “a major miscommunication.”  This entire fiasco could have been avoided if either person had communicated at the beginning.  Everyone has been guilty of miscommunication at one point or another.  Whether it is not saying enough, saying too much, or having the wrong words come out.  Good communication is vital in all relationships, even our relationship with the Lord.

Philippians 2 is a great section of Scripture.  Here we can learn some great lessons about proper communication:

• Encouragement, love, fellowship, affection, and compassion are essential for unity (vs. 1-2).  None of this is possible if these aspects do not show up in our speech.
• Don’t be selfish or conceited, but be humble by putting other above yourself (vs. 3-4).  Often miscommunication and hurt feelings come when our words reflect selfishness.  However, if our words are helpful then good will be the result.  This is how Jesus lived His life (vs. 5-11).
• Don’t grumble and dispute (vs. 14).  This only causes problems and negative feelings.  Avoiding this type of speech will make us blameless and stand out among our culture (vs. 15).

Sometimes miscommunications are unavoidable.  However, if our speech is full of encouragement, love, and other positive qualities instead of selfishness and complaints, we will avoid many forms of miscommunication.  But above all else, we will bring glory to God with our words.  Let’s take these lessons from Philippians 2 to heart and speak as God wants us to speak.  As 1 Peter 4:11 states, “Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever.  Amen.”