Sanctified Speech

Recently I received a Rod and Staff pamphlet that totally ministered my life. This one spoke on how a Christian should speak. Many times we grow careless with the way we speak, like saying the new hip and modern sayings. This pamphlet is a great reference tool for the Christian. I hope you will be ministered by it as I share it with you by parts.

As a spring flows from an unseen fountainhead, so the words of man have a hidden origin. Jesus said, "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh" Matthew 12:34

Sanctified means "set apart to a sacred purpose, freed from sin." Jesus Christ, the Son of God, shed His blood to provide for our sanctification. "We are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ" (Hebrews 10:10)  

The devil, the great deceiver, seeks to gain control of hearts many times by the process of gradualism. He desires that disciples of Christ become his slaves. Little by little he encroaches upon and ensnares his prey. Many times the Christian is tempted to become like the world, even in speech. 

Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh" (James 3:10-12)

Types of Speech to Avoid
Euphemisms
A euphemism is the substitution of an agreeable or less offensive expression for one that may offend or suggest something unpleasant. For example, "the departed" is a euphemism for 'the dead'.
The words God, Lord, Jesus are words worthy of highest respect; they should never be used carelessly. But there are words of lesser value, which mean the same. Gosh, golly, and gee are euphemisms for God and Jesus and should not be used by a sanctified individual. To use them is using God's name in vain. Exclamations such as, "oh, my goodness" or "for goodness" sake could fall into this category. Some dictionaries may have God as one definition for goodness when used alone, or with other words in various emphatic or exclamatory utterances.
Using the phrase "praise the Lord" at inappropriate times or in a lighthearted or careless way is sacrilegious. "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain" (Exodus 20:17)