Paul Tripp: What Makes Bad Language Bad?

[LukeoXx]

Been looking for some insight on this for awhile. Thanks for sharing, really helped.

[davehorne]

Tripp states that the Bible has a higher standard than culture does.

Somehow he's forgetting that God sanctions genocide. Of course, Christians disavow the God from the Old Testament. It's great to pick and choose what to believe.

[davehorne]

@jdavidskinner The genocide against the Midianites and the sanctioned taking of the young virgins as trophies, that's what you're defending? Really? That seems like a petty god not the Creator of the Whole Shooting Match.

[lvillalobos]

People confuse legalism and holiness. We should ALL aim to holiness that is for sure. ALL. No excuses, but again, many people in their way to be holy, give their OWN standard in a judgemental way abt their own definition of holiness. Moreover, people, think of a "standard christian" as the typical kid with a suit speaking "softly-nicely" as being holy.We should,as the video says,be practical in our way to minister others with the right heart. Words are just words. It is the heart what matters.

[aeaglechrislb09]

I saw that mustache and said, "SHIT!!! GOD DAMN!!!"

Just saying....just saying.

[noiz7]

Best video on this topic!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[StnCry]

Does holiness have any meaning anymore? We fear legalism so much we've minimalized holiness to mere opinion and personaaly and individually defined

[IcyScythe]

@StnCry seriously. The American church has gone wayyyyyyyyyyyy overboard with legalism. We should be focusing on the grace of God, period.

[devmanification]

@StnCry No, we've skewed holiness to tie it in with our own comfortable version of social propriety, just like the pharisees.

[joelneubauer]

Not to detract from it, but he looks and sounds like Flanders.

[devmanification]

@joelneubauer But Flanders wouldn't cuss. He'd just say diddley doodley

[Palindrome700]

Excellent explanation Sir

infact Collosians 3:8 comes to mind

[socksumi]

George Carlin had a much more perceptive analysis on "dirty words" than any of these holy rollers. R.I.P. George.

[PottersBass]

Very well said.

I believe in many cases about graphic language if not cursing , is those who speak this way in many cases love the bro or sister they are speaking to and compromise the words they use with a humors intention. This is rebellious humor nothing more or less against the words of God.

[sixfigures1]

People who don't understand this, have probably not moved past "Purpose Driven" theology in their own sanctification.

[NebraskaJimmy]

"The Bible doesn't define wholesome communication in a vocabulary way" is a statement that assumes one lives in a vacuum in my view.

Isn't wholesome language that honors Christ?

Shouldn't I ask myself what would I say to Christ?

To me it all boils down to the question, "How close can I be to the edge without going over?"

I've heard it a million times in my 20 years of youth ministry and its still the wrong question.

It gives me hope to see victory over unwholesome speech

[jfedgar]

@NebraskaJimmy "victory over unwholesome speech".

I think i'd rather see victory over gossip, slander, masturbation and porn in the homes of nearly 66% of men in the church, laziness and halfheartedness which Jesus says will cause him to spit you out of his mouth and hyperspirituality, which causes people to not be real and able to relate to people on a real level in the real world.

[jfedgar]

@NebraskaJimmy "victory over unwholesome speech". I think i would also like to see victory over an evil, pharisaical attitude that thinks specific words are what are being talked about. How often do you curse vs How often do you talk about sports? How often do you talk about video games or work (outside of work) or other people or entertainment etc. How much time do you waste on these vain things?

[jfedgar]

@NebraskaJimmy What an evil heart! You pick and choose things that are easy to follow, and ignore the things that are difficult. It is very easy not to curse (which is not talked about in the bible), but it is a whole other matter to have real control over your tongue.

[Joesfosterdogs]

Take the stupid soundtrack off this...I am an adult and can listen to someone speak without needing music to hold my attention.

[OneThingLedToAnother]

It's a shame that something from a pastor needs to be flagged as not safe for work. It's a sad day for the church.

[arcticablue]

You are obviously not understanding what he is saying. There are reasons word atre bad. I hope that someday you will understand what he is meaning here.

[VonHobbit]

No, it's actually a glorious thing to hear this godly man explain what God-glorifying gracious language is all about. Don't be too shallow in your grasp of what's going on in this little talk. You've completely missed the point.

[Reformchick]

Wow!  It is clear reading these comments that what he is saying is going WAY over people's heads. Please, do yourself a favor and read scripture fervently, and then read an intro to linguistics and structuralism book. He is speaking biblical orthodoxy and orthopraxy, if you don't get that then you need to draw closer to the Lord.

[Eruanna91]

Yes! Thank you!

This guy is amazing and it is not offensive if you have read and understand the Bible.

[u8qu1tis]

In the end, human beings are not perfect, and words will always be used in a variety of ways, including ways that are intended to be disrespectful. All we can do is try to be better than we were before now.

[MirageRC3]

Makes total sense. I've been asked in the past by non-Christians why some words are bad. I think Paul's explanation is a good one.

[StnCry]

After listening to the video, I'm unsure what Mr. Tripp's point is. That is, why even approach this topic?.

The topic certainly has revealed the self righteous indignation of some on youtube, but it also leaves me scratching my head. I really have been helped by his books, so I'm wondering about the context he's providing this exhortation in. Not sure I agree or disagree, but certainly will consider the matter. Best not to be aloof OR self righteous.

[MrsMonP]

@StnCry The point is that speaking in a God-glorifying way means more than just avoiding bad words. Thinking of the attitude and intent behind the words is a much more Biblical and comprehensive guide to speaking in a wholesome way than just avoiding a given set of words. It is not LESS than avoiding those, it is MORE.

[MrsMonP]

@StnCry It results in not even using 'permissible' words in a nasty, unloving way. It is a much more Biblical test of speech because it deals with the heart, not with mere rules which one can keep in a purely legalistic way, without that affecting the heart focus of the speaker.

[terriergal]

"it will not be appropriate for every public setting" so let's just post it on YOUTUBE for all the world to see! Doh~! (what were you thinking, Desiring God Conference?)

MR Piper, you have stayed in the downgrading Baptist General Conference too long and it seems to be affecting your judgement. You were the last best hope (humanly speaking) for the denomination but now it is TIME TO GET OUT before you really go off the deep end.

[gondorking86]

Actually, I think Tripp is a Presbyterian.

[Utopiang]

Sadly, I agree.

[StnCry]

@Utopiang why "sadly" Not sure why that would be an issue? What are you?

[NotHelpless]

This video is horrible. think of the issue of conscience and the necessity for Christians to not be conformed to this world. Since the world knows that these words are bad, hearing them from professing Christians will not draw them to Christ. Romans also talks about not making a weaker brother stumble. This video will not edify a newer believer who may see this and be confused. Christians are to abstain from even the 'appearance of evil,' as the Bible says. i stand with you, drenz777.

[Utopiang]

Amen.

[xunwinx]

... wow.. just wow.. i am so thankful for a video like this. it's been far to long and people have been far to quiet on this issue because of our culture and it's standards.

yet if we look at culture, the truth is these words are fine. it's a false standard we setup to "feel" more Godly. May Christ conform us to His image so that we speak grace in every cultural context and not elevate ourselves above, but count our lives as "rubbish" :-o

[terriergal]

yeah he could have made his point without stooping to the level of the culture.

This is really uncalled for. It's sick.

[xunwinx]

so was it uncalled for in Jesus case? he ate and drank with sinners. stooping would mean that he is exalted above culture.

we are not above.. we are the debase, the foul of the world, regenerated, called, and made clean by Jesus who ultimately stooped down to our level to save us.

[terriergal]

yeah, Jesus used potty mouth slang terms, RIIIIGHT. He was graphic, and he was direct and used sarcasm. Do you see any of that here?

[xunwinx]

your legalism is so thick it shocks me Christ hasn't removed your youtube account. but He knows best.

look up brood of vipers.. tell me that isn't the cultural F bomb of the day. you find me a more insulting thing of that time.

spend some time studying before you come in here and start pressing your law on everyone.

[MrsMonP]

@xunwinx No, these words are not fine, but not because you make a list of what you are not allowed to say. They are not fine because you can't use them to glorify God and give grace to your listener. That is the point. Christians are supposed to go by a higher 'rule' than 'you are not allowed this or that'. Does it glorify God, does it reflect His love, does it give grace to others? This is a much better test. (Please see my comments above.)

[waynefeller]

@MrsMonP Who are you to say that these words can not be used to glorify God? That is a very unrighteous judgement. The bible used such phrases as horse semen, hung like a donkey, bloody tampons, eating dung and drinking piss. God uses language that will affect the listener.  I once had a pastor swear at me, and it woke me up to the serious fallacies in my actions. I was brought to acknowledge my sin because my pastor swore. His words brought a sinner to repentance. That is glorifying god!

[talitha00cumi]

He didn't have them practice it; they simply did it. Kids do that. Like it or not, they will do it. Have you never heard a pastor's kid talk when no adults are around? Better to say it in front of Dad and be corrected than sneak around when Dad isn't around.

[StnCry]

@talitha00cumi 

[talitha00cumi]

Good stuff!

Tripp seems like an intelligent, level-headed, and patient man who has thought things through, using the Bible as his foundation.

=D

.

[terriergal]

>Tripp seems like an intelligent, level-headed, and

>patient man who has thought things through, using the

>Bible as his foundation.

Yeah if I can say profane words softly and sweetly that makes them not profane anymore?

He's willing to sacrifice his vocabulary in order to be part of redemptive good. Well except when making a video about coarse speech.

His example of using his name with sarcasm is falling on deaf ears here. People who profane the Lord's name deserve Biblical sarcasm.

[locrian2231]

And by the way, speaking of holiness...One needs to be careful how they define holiness by outward acts, because the Pharisees obviously had 'holiness' all wrong according to their perfect behavior. Christ already lived our perfect holiness and now as Christians we bear his fruit including with our words--and not only our selection of words, but with our tone and intent, which is the point Tripp was making.

[terriergal]

>but with our tone and intent, which is the point Tripp was making.

careful there. Plenty of sarcasm and judgemental harsh language used in Scripture against false teachers and people who refuse to turn from error like Mr Tripp.

[drenz777]

I'm going to use swear words in my next sermon to make an illustration in scripture.

Maybe I'll drop the f-bomb so people understand what God is doing to America...

I'm not suprised to see this compromise happening in our churches today. Pray for "trippin" Paul ...

[locrian2231]

Actually by your sarcastic tone, you have just undermined and been guilty of the same point Dr. Tripp just made...wholesome words with wholesome intent.

[drenz777]

So you are defending a man of God for doing what God forbids us to do to make a point???

..so it's ok for ne to sit around the dinner table with my children and tell teach them to say, "Mom this dinner tastes like Sh*t", "Mom, you smell like Sh*t", "Mom, OMG, G*D D*MM, what is your F-N problem, can't you cook right?" so that we can teach our children to communicate with each other?" Paul Trip, what has happend here?

what happend to holiness in the body of Christ?

[locrian2231]

Hey dude, I'm not defending or supporting his argument to use bad language. I simply thought it was interesting for you to sarcastically criticize him, and thus flirt with a boundary that Eph. 4:29 forbids regarding the use of language.

[wallyljgej]

Do the abbreviations count as "forbidden" words also...i mean, i know exactly what you're saying. And i think you used some of the actual "forbidden" ones...

[spriles]

Did you even watch the video? From your comment it seems as though you are very uniformed regarding Mr.Trips message. Did you hear/understand his message at all, or did you just decide to go berserk after hearing him say a word that you deem unspeakable based on your cultural upbringing.

[terriergal]

Mr Tripp is DEAD WRONG on the sarcasm point. Sarcasm is not automatically wrong. If the person using it is trying to defend a lie, they are wrong.. but they were wrong before they resorted to sarcasm. It is not the sarcastic tone which makes a person wrong, it is the lie they believe and defend.

[lorel909]

good explanatoions

[brentrnelson]

Great explaination! This was very helpful!

[reformedllamaman]

Once again, God uses such a simple concept to define a higher principle. Edifying language is something that I reject on a daily basis. Thanks for posting this video to remind me of it's importance.

[skeene777]

You reject edifying language on a daily basis? So you reject language that builds others up in the Lord and encourages others in faith? Intresting. Would love to hear more about how that fits into "love your nieghbor as yourself"?

[reformedllamaman]

It doesn't. That was my point.