This is not a new topic that we have explored in Purposed worKING, but I felt it was time to reiterate the topic. This past week we saw one of our national leaders use an expletive as he was talking to our President. The TV microphones picked up his words and national headlines were made and continue now even a week later. When leaders speak, people listen. When leaders speak the wrong words people make even more of it. When leaders speak inappropriately they send a message to others that this is language that is acceptable and appropriate in certain circles. In this case, we all knew that his choice of his word was an expletive that would never be acceptable on television and shouldn’t be acceptable in other places either. All of this is also true in the business world. Leaders who choose to use inappropriate or foul language are setting an example for others and through their choice of words are stating where their mind and hearts reside. It’s a simple lesson that we are not to use foul or abusive language if we are going to set the right example and be the role models that we and God want us to be. Unfortunately, we can never be reminded enough. Paul is clear in his teaching in Ephesians: “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” ‘Nuff said.

Reference: Ephesians 4:29 (New Living Testament)