Recently, I wrote about The Look of Love.  Well, here is the look that says you better straighten up!  I wish I had a dollar for every time I heard my mother say "don't you sass me."  A sassy mouth was not tolerated.  Showing disrespect for another person always had consequences.  Teaching me to control my mouth was a job my parents took very seriously.  Sass, sarcasm, jokingly or causally cutting down others with my words, or what we might currently refer to as “trash talking” were all forbidden.

As I listen to the news and read social media tweets and comments/commentaries, I find myself wondering if we've taken our right to "free speech way too far."  Have we developed "sassy mouth"?  It's wonderful that we live in a nation where we have the right to be heard but I'm just wondering ... can't we still be heard by sticking to the facts and remaining respectful?  I admit I fail miserably.  These days, I find myself talking down to those on the TV and about the folks in the news.  Yes, I talk to the TV!  I could go so far to say I'm simply responding to rude and disrespectful people and I imagine you would agree with me.  Right?  But, I'm really wrestling with how to handle the endless chatter I hear and read and my own response or chatter to it all.  Am I a sassy mouth?

The definition of sass is to talk to (someone) in a rude way that does not show respect.  

So, I ask myself:  Is it really okay for me to say or write something (publically or privately) that is rude and disrespects another person?  Is it okay for me to be snide, snarky and/or sarcastic?  When does my "opinion" actually cross the line and become slander and gossip?  In trying to come up with an answer, some pretty powerful verses in the Bible that I think apply to "sassy mouth" came to mind.  Reading them was almost like seeing "that" face and hearing "sassy mouth".  Busted.  The Holy Spirit using the Word of God called me out.

Let me share with you what I read and how it impacted me.  The below are passages from what were originally letters.  The authors were like a spiritual parent or father, writing to people they deeply loved. Just like a good parent, they were reminding them of what is good and right and how they should act and why it was so important. Oh, this is so good and practical.

For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. 2 Corinthians 12:20 

O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge...." 1 Timothy 6:20

But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more an more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. 2 Timothy 2:16-17

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. James 1:26

With it (the tongue) we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.  James 3:9-10 (ESV)

Finally...

"Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear."  Ephesians 4:29 (NASB)

Or translated another way...

"Don't say anything that would hurt another person.  Instead, speak only what is good so that you can give help wherever it is needed.  That way, what you say will help those who hear you."  Ephesians 4:29 (NOG)

#ouch | #wow | #convicted | #repentance

The Word of God: parents me, guides me, teaches and reminds me.  I needed some spiritual parenting today.  How about you?

"O Lord, set a guard over my mouth and keep watch over the door of my lips."  (Psalm 131:3)