Over the weekend, the most trending topic, I'm guessing, in the universe, was Donald Trump's comments made in 2005 in a private conversation with Billy Bush. While wearing a hot mic (unknowingly), Trump explained to Bush about how he behaves with women he considers sexually attractive, stating that he kisses them, grabs at them and tries to have sex with them (that's the PG version, folks) and they "let him" because he's famous. Wow. So much to unpack here. We have a married man describing sexual acts with women other than his wife. We have a man using power and fame to take advantage of women. We have a man describing women's bodies as objects. And, we have a man who chalks it all up as "locker room talk" in every response he has to it. In the aftermath of this revelation, I have read many comments from many people. There are those who are outraged. There are those who are saddened. There are those for whom these comments have sparked memories of uninvited sexual advances, who have a lot to say on the topic. And, there are those who agree with Trump, that this is "just how men talk". To that last reference, even if that is true, it does not make it all right. The message we, as christians, can take from this political event is that unwholesome talk of any kind is toxic, and the Bible has a lot to say about it. This message is not just for men and how they discuss their sexuality in "locker rooms" or elsewhere. So many of us talk one way with our friends, in private, and another way in church, or other arenas of our public life. Trump is (rightfully) receiving harsh criticism and scrutiny due to these comments. While our private comments may never reach the offensive level of Trump's, or receive this level of attention, we can be sure that the Lord hears them all, and they do affect the Kingdom.
#scripturetiein
Ephesians 4:29 says
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
In Matthew 15:18 we are told that what comes out of our mouths comes from our hearts (so when Trump says, "That's not who I am", well...it actually is, at the heart-level).
Matthew 12:36 says
I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak.
Colossians 3:8 says
But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.
Finally, James 1:26 says the thing I feel most applies to Trump, and so many of us as well:
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.
The above is just a sampling of the total amount of verses that speak on the way we speak, and what we say. You know...Trump, and many others, claim that this is just how men speak. I, myself, have heard men speak this way, and many women speak in careless and angry, wrathful, malicious, slanderous, and obscene ways as well. To say that this is just how it is may work for those who don't know Christ, but it is no excuse for those who do. We are called to higher standard.
#liveitLet no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
In Matthew 15:18 we are told that what comes out of our mouths comes from our hearts (so when Trump says, "That's not who I am", well...it actually is, at the heart-level).
Matthew 12:36 says
I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak.
Colossians 3:8 says
But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.
Finally, James 1:26 says the thing I feel most applies to Trump, and so many of us as well:
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.
The above is just a sampling of the total amount of verses that speak on the way we speak, and what we say. You know...Trump, and many others, claim that this is just how men speak. I, myself, have heard men speak this way, and many women speak in careless and angry, wrathful, malicious, slanderous, and obscene ways as well. To say that this is just how it is may work for those who don't know Christ, but it is no excuse for those who do. We are called to higher standard.
Proverbs 13:3 says that whoever guards his mouth preserves his life. The way we live out the command to "put away" all of this type of talk is two-fold.
A. Align your heart with God's more and more, all the time. This is the goal for all believers-to think the way He thinks, and feel the way He feels. God does not talk in these ways, and the more like Him we are, the less we will as well.
B. As you work on holiness (see point A.) zip the lip! The truth is our hearts do contain some amount of uncleanliness. This is the curse on us all. This does not mean we need to speak all of the filth we have in our hearts. Proverbs also says that a gracious words are sweetness to the soul and health to the body. Let this be our goal. Speak grace, love, and peace, and when you cannot, don't speak. It's just that simple.
#prayer
A. Align your heart with God's more and more, all the time. This is the goal for all believers-to think the way He thinks, and feel the way He feels. God does not talk in these ways, and the more like Him we are, the less we will as well.
B. As you work on holiness (see point A.) zip the lip! The truth is our hearts do contain some amount of uncleanliness. This is the curse on us all. This does not mean we need to speak all of the filth we have in our hearts. Proverbs also says that a gracious words are sweetness to the soul and health to the body. Let this be our goal. Speak grace, love, and peace, and when you cannot, don't speak. It's just that simple.
#prayer
Lord, In light of the disgusting words he said, it is really easy to judge and look down on Donald Trump right now. As so many prominent figures have said, there truly is no justification for what he said. But, Lord, I know that we deceive ourselves if we assume we never speak a careless or toxic word. As we ponder and consider Trump's actions, let us apply wisdom for our own lives. Let this situation be an example to us all that words can be dangerous. Words can be hurtful. Words can be troubling, and words reflect the state of our hearts, in a way our clothing, or our possessions, or our acts of service, or where our money is spent ever could. Lord, as we align our hearts with yours, help our words to reflect that alignment, so that we can be "sweetness to the soul" for those around us, and ourselves.
Amen
Amen
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