Read: Ephesians 4:25-32

A British Wildlife Park recently removed five African Grey parrots from public view because they were cursing at the visitors and calling them names.  Where these parrots learned to be potty-mouthed fowls is still a mystery.  Chances are they did not learn their habit by themselves.  Our world today is filled with similar words that are offensive, un-loving, hateful, demeaning, and vile.  Birds are not to blame for most of the divisive words and cursing that we hear these days.

During a recent PGA Tour golf tournament on television I heard a very popular golfer ask for the mercy of God on one shot, and then he turned around and used God’s name as a curse word on the very next shot.  Besides cursing, other uses of foul words have recently been dividing us and causing all kinds of trouble in our families and neighborhoods due to differing opinions.  We need to be better with our words than this and we can be.

In Ephesians 4:29-32 the Bible says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”  A couple verses later it says, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”  As we move past the contentious election in our country this next week, may these words encourage us to be better.

Make it Personal:  Just like the parrots in England learned their words from someone, our children are learning their words and their attitudes from watching and listening to us adults.  This should encourage all of us to keep it clean, keep it civil, keep it compassionate, and use our words for good instead of evil.  I hope you will join me in this endeavor.