From Hello! to Yo!

"Yo! Man! Wus up! Yo!"


"Not’in much bro…. just chill’in. Yo."


      What is this? This is a typical conversation between two young people in America. What is wrong with this? It is a complete massacre of the English language. When young people speak to one another it should be a conversation of full and complete sentences, correct pronoun usage and a sincere greeting. It should be a conversation, especially for the Christian young person, that glorifies God, not only in its contents but in its structure as well.

     Studies have been done on language usage of the youth in today’s culture. Many young people are totally unaware of basic vocabulary words, sentence structure, or even proper grammar. Instead they resort to a form of conversation as stated above, and sadly many young Christians are participants of such a practice. Instead, Christians in this culture should understand the dilemma and realize why this is happening. It is happening because of sin, the depravity of man that does not want to glorify God in thought, word or deed but wants to glorify himself. God has given us some beautiful tools to communicate with one another. These tools are language and a mouth to speak a language or languages. He has set up great men to organize a language in a proper and orderly form and has commanded that we study our language and acquire knowledge and wisdom as to how to use it effectively ( Proverbs 4:5,6 ). In the Bible, He has charged us  “be always ready to give an answer for the hope that is within you” , in short, to proclaim the Gospel. How can we do this clearly if we cannot speak concise and coherent sentences? He also 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.” Greeting or conversing with someone sincerely and properly will show how much you truly care for that person. A flippant “Yo Man! Wus up?” will not. Colossians 4:6 says “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” One of the definitions of the word grace is “elegance refinement or beauty of form or manner”. This is what a godly conversation should portray. Ephesians 5:4 states “Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.” We should also not joke about rough or crude language, but our mouth should be opened in exalting thanksgiving to our Savior. In Matthew 12:36 Jesus says that “But I tell you that men will have to give an account on the Day of Judgment for every careless word they have spoken.” Not only should we be concerned about what we say to others, but the whole of our speech should be pure, gracious and lucid. PHIL 1:27 “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel.” In conclusion, everything we say should be to the praise and glory of God!

 "Hello, how are you?"


 "I am advancing by God’s grace."


 "Praise the Lord, He is good!"


     Our greetings and conversations should be something like what is depicted above; clear English and the praise of God continually in our mouth. Our speech should not be inspired by a culture which is Godless and in need of salvation, but rather,every syllable, word and phrase should be inspired by the beauty, grace, and sovereignty of our Savior and almighty God. Remember, we are called to be a peculiar people,( 1Peter 2:9) "But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;"



                                                          So Let it Be!