Paul wrote to the Colossian believers and said, "But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips" (3:8).
When you think of "filthy language," what comes to your mind- and do you suppose it is the same thing that was on Paul's mind? Let's remind ourselves that we think with a 21st Century mindset.
We in today's Church tend to think of a category of words that are on the forbidden list, words like: Just kidding! You know what they are and so do I! My mother caught me using one of them and promptly washed my mouth out with soap!
We imagine that if we steer clear of those particular words, we'll avoid filthy language. In the original, the word that is translated "filthy" means abusive. This makes it a very broad category. In short, we should avoid language that is abusive. Abusive to others. Abusive to ourselves.
When you and I say things about ourselves that are inconsistent with what God says about us, our speech is, in His eyes, filthy. Why? It is abusive to God's child.
If you think you have the right to say what you wish about yourself, have another think. God teaches us that we don't belong to ourselves. We belong to Him (1 Corinthians 6:19). Everything about us, our way of living and our speech, must correspond to what God says.
Self-criticism is rampant among believers. These same believers who wouldn't use what we call cuss words, freely rail at themselves (and sometimes others too) and think they are managing to avoid filthy language. Not so. Ask the Spirit to help you repent and avoid abusive speech.