There always have been three books that have had a profound impact on my life—books that I keep close and use most every day. They are the Bible, a dictionary and a thesaurus. I might toss a concordance into the mix, too. In that event, I would like to list four.
Of these, the dictionary is still a most useful guide. I may not carry a dictionary in my car any longer. After all, I can access a dictionary online at the touch of a key, but I still need this book to correct my diction, to spell correctly, or to delve into the many nuances of certain words and how I can use them more effectively.
The dictionary also reminds me that how I speak—how I use language—delivers an impact. Centuries ago, the apostle Paul reminded his young pastors to tame their tongues, to speak only of those things that were uplifting and useful, not to gossip, and to seek to build people up by the use of language, not tear them down. These are still useful pieces of advice today and are especially useful for those who lead teenagers.
Don’t doubt that teenagers are exposed daily to some salty language, and the teenagers in your youth group may use some language that would shock you. Still, there are other ways of speaking, of using language. Using proper grammar and choosing words carefully can have a great impact on young lives and their futures. Likewise, keep these biblical admonitions in mind as you speak to teenagers or gently correct negative or salty language when you hear it.
As leaders, we may be guilty ourselves of using improper words from time to time, but we can be aware of how we speak, especially when we are in the company of others. Language does matter. Just check your dictionary.
