Oh My Gosh!
For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
Matthew 12:34
I watched as Mark reeled in the huge fish. We were fishing for northern pike on Lake Michigan—Green Bay, to be specific—and Mark had hooked a monster! As he continued to drag the fish toward the boat, all he could say was, “Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Holy smokes! This thing is huge!” After ten minutes of line hauling, rod pumping action, he managed to net the thirty-eight pound northern.
One of the world’s greatest game fish, the northern pike is a trophy; a thirty-eight pounder is the fish of a lifetime!
I remember thinking, In the heat of battle, the heart speaks the truth of who we are. Mark had not uttered one unsavory word while landing what for him was the largest northern he had ever caught. I was profoundly affected by the purity of his language in an emotionally charged moment. I have witnessed many fishermen who, when given the same set of circumstances, had sworn a blue steak.
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“Oh my gosh” and “holy smokes” may sound childish to some, especially to those who use foul language offhandedly without much thought of how it sounds or affects those around them. But to God, “oh my gosh” is pleasing.
Instead of holding up a standard, we have lowered the bar with each generation.
I remember when primetime TV used to be language free, a time when the whole family could come together and watch TV, knowing their children would not be subjected to profanity or sexual innuendoes. Nowadays, no matter what time you tune in, you can’t watch thirty minutes of programming without profanity and sex invading your living room. It has permeated every aspect of society.
Caught swearing, a student told his guidance counselor, “It just slipped out.” To which the guidance counselor replied, “If you don’t practice it so much, it won’t slip as often.”
We may not go to hell for using profanity, but when using it, we aren’t leading anyone to heaven.
Prayer
“Teach me to know the power of my words, Lord. Remind me that besides You, someone is always listening to what I say. Help me to not store up wrong things in my heart. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”
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