Fences

I’ve been thinking a lot about fences lately.  Maybe because we are having our new horse fence installed around the property (for the dogs). But more specifically, I’ve been thinking about fences in my own life.  Moral fences.  A few years ago, I heard a really good sermon series from James MacDonald called “5 Moral Fences” and it helped to carve and change some of my thought patterns.  Last year, Cindy and I made the commitment that we would no longer watch any R rated movies. They really don’t add any value to our lives other than to pollute our minds with sex, violence, and poor moral standards so decided to eliminate them.  Good choice

Spending the holiday week in our new house, we decided to take some down time from moving to watch some movies (and because we no longer have cable TV). We were appalled at what is passing for PG-13.  We watched a couple of my old favorites from my pre-Christian days, The Jerk and A River Runs Through It and even Love Story, although Cindy didn’t manage to stay awake for the last one). Every movie was full of offensive language.  No, not the simple curse word here in there but the big ones…the ones that use our Lord’s name in a dishonoring way.  We turned them off.

I am not a prude and I realize that many, many people cuss.  I hear it all the time.  Yes, even from Christians. (By the way…pi**ed off is a curse word.)  On a side note...someone once suggested a great way to determine if something is a curse word…When her husband used a bad word in the car and defended it, she asked if it would be OK for their 4 year old daughter to say those words from the back seat of the car.  Hmmmmmm...

To use our Lord's name in a way that is anything less than giving to Him the honor and glory that He deserves is offensive to me (and many others I am sure).  Yes, that includes saying “Oh my God!” God deserves our very best and that includes our best language.  Please don’t use His name in an irreverent manner.  He has a lot to say in His word about the use of our words. After all, one of the big 10 (Commandments that is) tells us not to. While it is true that the 10 Commandments in their original form are no longer binding (as we are under the New Covenant), it is also true that God takes the use of His name very seriously. In Matthew 12:36-37, Jesus said "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give an account of it in the day of judgment."

So God doesn't have a last name (and you know which one I am referring to) and Jesus Christ is not a curse word. It is the name of our Lord, our God, and our Savior, and He is worthy of praise, honor, and glory.

I realize that I can’t place my personal convictions on others but I can choose what I will and will not allow into my own life.  

Fences.  Keep in mind that they aren’t just for keeping good things contained.  Sometimes, they are for keeping bad things out.

What fences have you established in your own life?

Progress!