Last week my daughter was playing with a toy that was not working properly and she exclaimed "dammit!" My head shot up so fast and I asked "what did you just say?", to which she repeated "dammit". I immediately brought her to me and began questioning where she heard this word. We don't use that kind of language. The only television she watches is Nick Jr. or an old Disney movie. And our social circle is pretty limited to mostly church friends and family, none of whom speak that way, at least not around us. She insisted that she made it up and didn't hear anyone or any thing use that word. So I made sure she knew that it was not a good word, and expressed that now that she knows it is not a good word if I ever hear it again she will be in big trouble!!
I talked to Jessie later that day about what happened. We were trying to figure out where she might have heard that word, or how she might have made it up. I was personally convicted of words that I often use. I like to call them Christian curse words. You know, "dang-it", "crap", "freakin", and a few others. In our home even "stupid" is a bad word as my children occasionally remind me. My thought is that if by chance she did make up this word, maybe it came from her hearing my occasional use of "dang-it". By most standards, there isn't anything wrong with these slang words. But I know that for me it is more of a heart issue. When I am using these words they are generally an expression of frustration, anger, annoyance, or some other negative emotion. The way in which I use these words makes them really no different than the true curse word they are replacing--since the "real" words are used under the same circumstances of anger and frustration.
The Word of God says, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29
I am making a personal effort to watch these words and hold myself to the same standard that I have established for my children which is based on the Word of God.
I love this Bekah! Chris and I have the same conversation in our house a few times over the last few months. About saying nicer version of actual curse words. Jackson now reminds us that the word " whatever " is a bad word. At first we told him it wasnt but the tone in the way we said it, he was actually very correct. Chris and I both try everyday to be very mindful of our words, tones and actions. Kids are sponges as you know I am sure!
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