Healthy Living

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Tongue Control
© 2006

by

Stephen A. Peterson


Barry Carlson, a 16 year old, Mount Saint Mary’s High School Sophomore, prayed daily and to his teachers and friends was a good student and person. In spite of his character, Barry had fallen into the habit of invoking God’s name in every other sentence he expressed.

If Barry heard bad news, his reflex response was to exclaim, “Oh, my God!” If a teacher ask the students in his class to take out a sheet of paper to prepare for an unannounced quiz, his reaction might be, “Oh, God, I’m not ready for a quiz yet!” Barry was angered when it was pointed out to him by teachers and friends that such use of God’s name constituted a violation of the Third Commandment—“You will NOT take the name of the Lord your God in vain.”

For a time after being told his statements were inappropriate, Barry was careful not to use God’s name inappropriately. Then one day Barry became upset over having mislaid his Algebra textbook. “Oh, God, I had that stupid Algebra book in my hands only fifteen minutes ago! Where in the devil did I put the darn thing! Aw come on!”

“Barry,” his girlfriend said, “there you go again—profaning God’s name! We’re suppose to reverence and praise His Holy Name! You gotta stop doing that! Someday, maybe soon, you may not have a chance to make things straight with God and you’ll be doomed forever! We are His children. It’s being disrespectful to a parent! Aren’t we, you a child of His?”

Barry drew himself up straight. “You’re right, Donna, I am a child of God…” He paused and a determined look stated: “Yeah, I know you’re right about this. It’s just a really bad habit I have to shake. From now on I’ll reverence His name. You’ll see. I swear it! Just watch me! Okay!”

And Barry—for several weeks kept his promise—until one afternoon at lunch in the school cafeteria he tipped over a carton of milk that ruined part of his and a classmate’s meal then caused a large milk spot on a girl’s skirt. Instinctively it came out: “Oh, Go—o—“. The word stuck and Barry froze. He such in his breath and peered covertly around the table. Everyone at the table and nearby tables waited in silence to see what would happen next. And then came “__d, thank you for this pizza, the salad and the milk, O Lord!” With that, Barry’s head came up proudly with a triumphant smile on his face!

And a loud round of laughter and applause filled the Mount Saint Mary High School, Oklahoma City, cafeteria followed by students patting Barry on his back or giving him high fives for his victory over the sin as His Father in heaven smiled!

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