Harsh Words That Displease God

Injurious speech certainly encompasses much more than obscene language. Insults, sarcasm, mockery and harsh criticism can hurt deeply. Admittedly, we all sin with our tongue, especially in the enviornment of sarcasm and backbiting that prevails around us. (James 3:2) Still, true Christians should never adopt a casual attitude toward abusive speech. The Bible establishes clearly that Jehovah God disapproves of all speech that injures.

For instance, in the Bible book of Second Kings, we learn of a group of boys who verbally abused the prophet Elisha. The account says that they "began to jeer him" and "kept saying to him: 'Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!' " Jehovah, who could read the hearts of these young ones and see their malicious intent, took their verbal abuse very seriously. The account says that God put 42 boys to death because of their abusive speech. - 2Kings 2:23, 24.

The people of Israel "were continually making jest at the messengers of the true God and despising his words and mocking at his prophets, until the rage of Jehovah came up against his people, until there waas no healing (2Chronicles 36:16) Although God's rage was principally incited by his people's idolatrous and disobedient course, it is noteworthy that the Bible specifically mentions the verbal abuse directed at God's prophets. This highlights God's outright disapproval of such conduct.

Accordingly, the Bible admonishes Christians: "Do not severely criticize and older man." (1Timothy 5:1) This principle could be applied to our dealings with everyone. The Bible encourages us "to speak injuriously of no one, not to be belligerent, to be reasonable, exhibiting all mildness toward all men." - Titus 3:2.

Next time: Keeping Our Lips In Check