There are several choice words that Jesus doesn’t have in His vocabulary and the F word is no exception. Now, before your mind goes astray, let me clarify. I am not speaking of the F-bomb (as we commonly refer to) that is sometimes thrown around to shock and offend others. It is obvious that is not a word that we would ever hear Jesus say. Yet, there are other words that are not as distinct, and although not obscene in nature, but still not a part of Jesus’ everyday word-stock.
The four letter word I am referring to is FAIL.
While hanging out with our girls this weekend, in between laughter and crazy conversation, we spotted a limousine that had broken down in a shopping center. It was about 9:00pm and it was obvious the limousine was transporting someone somewhere and to put it simply, the situation was not the best. As we talked about how terrible it must have been to be stranded, our expressive little Rain, couldn’t resist throwing in her two cents and blurted out how being in that situation really “sucks”!
Now if you’re reading this blog, I am assuming you are old enough to know what appropriate language is, so I will refrain from turning this into an etiquette lesson. However, if you parent little ones, you can understand there are words we just don’t want our children saying. The Jensing took a moment to explain that we don’t use words like this to express ourselves but Rain was stuck on how suck isn’t a bad word.
My explanation is always the same: there are bad words and then there are ugly words, and sucks happens to be an ugly one. As elementary as this sounds, this was all she needed to hear, to understand that this could not be a part of her everyday word-stock.
If we had allowed Rain to use this word and hadn’t called her out on it, she would have assimilated it as an acceptable form of expression. What’s more, this term would have become one she could identify with at any given point had she given it permission to exist in her vocabulary.
There are many words that Jesus doesn’t say, but without a doubt, Jesus doesn’t say Fail. To allow this word to be part of His vocabulary implies that it is not only acceptable but that at some point He could identify with it, which we all know He cannot.
This causes me to analyze the words I have been accepting in my life and identifying with, as well as at what point I allowed them to become part of my vocabulary. Some of these words are learned, some we acquire as a result of experience, and yet others are given to us.
The good news is that our vocabulary is solely ours and can be revamped at any given time.
Today, I chose to accept and identify with the following: redeemed, restored, released, victorious, fierce, brave, and dauntless.
What ugly words have you been allowing in your life and what new ones are you going to replace them with?
Amen! I want to allow the word victorious to replace my fear of failure!
That’s awesome Valerie! Thank you for sharing your replacement word and I pray you would truly feel Victorious in every way this week!
I find that I say, I’m tired or I’m fed up too much and my children have started to copy me which then makes me feel terrible. Will have to think about what to say to replace them x
Thank you for your comment. I pray the Lord gives you a new strength today and reinvigorates you!
This was very encouraging to me…I appreciate you taking the time to write!
Thank you Janelle. I appreciate your support.
Lately, I have been throwing around the ugly word “stupid”(not saying people are, but things). Thank God for his timely Word, though! I stumbled upon a devotion “boot camp” for busy moms, and had been soaking it up like a sponge lately. The devotion was SUPPOSED to be geared towards ugly attitudes, habits, etc. in my children, but boy…am I the one saying “ouch!” lately! I have been reading the Word and not being so quick to open my mouth as a result. I haven’t found a replacement word….I have started saying “wise” or “unwise” when talking about decisions others may make, but overall, if I catch myself in time, I try to stick with not saying anything at all.
It’s amazing to see how OUR words, actions, etc. as parents can shape our behavior,etc. in our own children! No wonder God’s word says so much about being careful about what we put in our hearts!
We have to nip it in the bud in OURSELVES before we can ever expect our children to start! Kudos to you for being aware of ugly/bad words, and trying to impress uplifting words in your family. It’s a work in progress still for our family.
Thank you Mama Jenn for your input. The very popular cartoon GI Joe used to say, “knowing is half the battle”. I am glad to see that you have conquered 50% of this thing already as you are already making an effort to change certain words you know are not good for you or your family. We don’t change over night but its that conscious effort to better ourselves that makes the difference. “Wise” or “Unwise” are definitely a better choice of words as is keeping in mind that its all about perspective. You are absolutely correct; we have to be the model we want our children to follow. Thank you for sharing Mama Jenn and keep guarding that heart 🙂
Rosie, this was a truly wonderful read! Blessed and grateful to visit with you this morning! Peace and many blessings to you, Love! 🙂
Thank you Tai, I appreciate your comment and am glad you enjoyed it.
fat. old. middle-aged. frumpy. ugly.
These are words that I’ve been telling that woman in the mirror for years. But instead of just deciding that they weren’t true-because they kind of were–I decided instead to do something about it. Stepped up the exercise, cut back on the calorie intake, eliminated sugar, alcohol, grains and breads. I look better because I feel better. I’m still middle-aged-can’t do anything about that-but I’m not frumpy, ugly, old, or fat because I choose not to see myself as such anymore. I loved your title-it intrigued me!
Mary, thank you for your transparency. It must have taken a lot for you to make that decision and I commend you for seeing it through. I agree, sometimes we have to honestly evaluate ourselves and make the changes that are within our ability to do. You are an inspiration!
I have to say “Amen” to this beautiful post! > Today, I chose to accept and identify with the following: redeemed, restored, released, victorious, fierce, brave, and dauntless. I praise God for His Love, Grace and Mercy!!!
I am redeemed!!!
Blessings,
Tayrina
Tayrina, you are correct…it is His Love, Grace, and Mercy that allows us to see ourselves this way. I pray you would see yourself like this as well 🙂
I like your words, especially “redeemed, restored, released, and victorious”! I’m so glad He has chosen to have grace on us and gently correct us as you did Rain. Thank you for pointing out the fact that Jesus does indeed NOT say “fail”! 🙂
Yes indeed! I too am grateful that He deals with us in such a gentle fashion. Thanks for your thoughts 🙂
Rosie, what a great explanation of words we don’t say … their ugly qualities become words we use to identify ourselves and our lives. Claiming “victory” over my words. Thank you, Rosie, for sharing your heart at #IntentionalTuesday on Intentionally Pursuing. : )
Crystal, thank you for your encouragement and for the opportunity to share at #IntentionalTuesday on Intentionally Pursuing. I am glad there is victory over your words 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing this!
I definately have some “ugly” words going on in my head trying to throw me down, but I’m starting to be encouraged to know that I can side-step them, replace them, or throw them down in front of Jesus. And some of them may not even be my words-yikes!
“…whatever things are true..noble..pure..lovely…” (phil 4:8) –want to be there!
Thanks for helping encourage me to be more alert to the brain language,
Love from Holland,
Jasmine
Yes!!! Throw them down, give them up, and don’t allow them to creep back in. Those you mention may not even be yours, are the ones others attempt to give to us (labels) but we don’t have to accept those either 🙂 Thank you Jasmine for your comment and much love to Holland!
Jesus doesn’t say fail. Ah, yes. That’s a beautiful truth that I need to remember to be more grateful for! So thankful we have the victory every day in him, even when we don’t “feel” that we have.
You are correct, it’s not about how we feel and I am truly thankful for that as well. Otherwise the inconsistency would do us in.
I absolutely love this post! I get discouraged sometimes because of the language I hear (and read) from Christian women, and I try to chalk it up to the fact that I’m from a different generation . . . over sensitive . . .picky . . . out of date . . . not cool. But the fact is that some words just are not worthy of use by Christians who want to live pure and holy lives. So, thanks for addressing this issue here. I am encouraged.
Michele, I am glad you liked the post. I agree with you 100% and it has nothing to do with being over sensitive etc. Some language is just not what we should be identifying with if we want to have fruitful lives. You are not over sensitive, picky, out of date, or not cool…you are just wise 🙂 Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for your encouragement to examine our self-talk. Failure is such an ugly word, especially when we assign it to ourselves. Stopping by from #LiveFreeThursday. Keep writing, sister!
Thank you Kelly for stopping by. Yes, we have to be careful what words we assign to ourselves. It’s time to exchange the negative for the positive!
Thank you for the reminder that we get to choose what words we choose to identify ourselves with. I pick His words of Truth today!
I pick His words of truth as well today Sarah. Its all up to us how we will see ourselves and how others will see us 🙂
Rosie,
Welcome to Thought-Provoking Thursday! I struggle so much with my tongue. This post was convicting. My hubby and I speak often about how our words have life and power, so we need to remember to speak uplifting words about ourselves. It’s something we are working on at our house.
Blessings,
Lyli
I agree Lyli, it takes daily conscious effort to change. Good news is we are working on it 🙂 I enjoyed Thought Provoking Thursday very much! Thank you for allowing me to share.
I’ve been guilty lately of saying “I can’t”, as in “I cannot do this.” There is some truth in it of course. We have a very difficult situation with a precious little girl we’ve had custody of for 2 years and are in danger of losing her. I am a mother. I know how to have babies; I know how to raise children. I even know how to teach them (I’m a homeschooling mama). But I don’t know how to give her away. So it is true that “I can’t”. But just as Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me”, I am finding myself more dependent upon His grace each day as we walk through this. I don’t know what the outcome will be. But the Lord does, and I am depending on Him to walk each of us through this.
Thank you for this encouraging post and admonition to be intentional in my vocabulary (as well as my thoughts).
Cheryl, yes your situation is very difficult. But I am glad to read that your hope is in the Lord and that you are setting your eyes on Him to lead and guide you through this time. Only with Him will you find peace and courage to take the steps you need to take. I pray that He would give you direction and favor 🙂 Be blessed!
Okay… so with two little girls (2 and 4 years), I have definitely noticed the type of language I use every day. I’m not one to say “bad” words, but I do say things that I wouldn’t want my 2-year-old repeating. Nothing is more convicting than having two mini-me’s walking around speaking and behaving like mommy! Our words hold a great deal of power. They can speak life or they can tear it down. Thank you for the reminder. 🙂
Alyssa (visiting from #DanceWithJesus)
Thanks for stopping by Alyssa. I agree completely, we have to model the behavior we want to see in our children. It takes daily effort but we have to remind ourselves, they are always watching us.
I like how well you explained the difference between “ugly words” and “bad words”. I have also been using “tired” quite a bit and I’m determined to change it to “renewed”.
I like that,”Renewed”!!! What a great replacement word Miriam. Thank you for sharing your thoughts )
I liked how you used the term “ugly word”.
As I read further, I was quite taken with your insight of how many “ugly words” we speak into ourselves. I’ve heard people say not to speak negative words into ourlives, but never the term ugly. I like your point of view because the antidote for ugly words are beautiful words such as the ones you shared, redeemed, restored, released, victorious, fierce, brave, and dauntless.
Thank you for sharing and the gentle encouragement to remember Whose we are and to put on the mind of Christ by taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
I appreciate your thoughts Karen. Sometimes we need to understand things as a child would and not complicate matters so much; thus the term ugly. You couldn’t have stated it better, it is about putting on the mind of Christ. This is the only way to make waves and see change. Thank you for stopping by 🙂
I knew with the title of this post it would be an interesting surprise– and I was right! I love the words you have chose to identify yourself with Jesus. Thanks for sharing, Rosie!
I’m glad you enjoyed it Sharita and glad the title caught your eye 🙂
I once heard someone say, “The blood of Jesus has never known defeat.” That’s what this post made me think of, and it continually amazes me that His power is at my disposal. Thanks so much for sharing with us at Grace & Truth!
Good connection Jennifer. We are made in His image and in the same manner we can live a victorious life. Thanks for your thoughts.