The "Great Swear-off" - The Problem Revealed
To fill newcomers in, my wife and I finally decided to relinquish control of our mouths to God by arresting our use of obscenities. This had been a sneaky stronghold of disobedience in our lives. We instituted the “swear jar” concept to help reinforce our committment, and I’ve been covering our progress.
I stumbled a few times this past weekend with my mouth to close the gap between my wife and I. We now stand at 7 to 6. However, this is a competition where both of us are winners, though as I can see a real change taking place. I’ve alreay learned one very important lesson.
What am I learning from the “great swear-off”?
Swearing isn’t my problem
Seriously! It’s really just evidence of an underlying issue - a spiritual problem with physical consequences. My wife and I could stop using a word, but of what lasting value is that? Sure, from an external standpoint we won’t be a stumbling block to others and ourselves, but if those feelings are still there then I have a problem. I’m just wallpapering over a hole in the wall. Sooner or later that hole will be exposed by pressure.
What is the spiritual problem? My lack of faith and hanging out in the wrong “spiritual neighborhoods”. This can be demonstrated by my past struggles with alcohol. When I quit drinking, I stopped hanging out in bars, and with people who drink specifically as a recreational activity (not with dinner or a casual beverage - I’m not seeking a career as a Pharisee). Sure, I could have continued to do so and relied on pure willpower to get me through, but that would be pretty idiotic since my lack of willpower was what got me in trouble in the first place.
Much the same with strife. If I want to speak language pleasing to the Lord, I have to stop hanging out in the same mental “neighborhoods”. Talking about strife and always meditating on what is wrong in the world plants seeds that are pretty difficult to uproot once they sprout. If I speak about the same subject matter that causes me to break out in obscenities but just try to use different words, I am going to slip up continuously.
Meditating on the devil’s promises (fear, hate) reaps the devils language (cursing) whereas meditating on God’s promises (life, and that more abundantly) reaps the Lord’s language (love, faith, hope)
My practical application for this will be to ask the Lord to monitor my daily thoughts and conversation and to help me see the positives that abound in this life instead of focusing on a few negative areas.
What “spiritual neighborhoods” are you hanging out in?
This is right! If we focus and meditate on our temptations, then it only feeds the evil desires. What we want to meditate on is God’s goodness and holiness, that He is worthy of our worship.
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
Philippians 4:8-9
I miss you both very much. I can’t wait to see you in a few weeks.
Love,
Amber