Jacobson's Bad Words

On January 11 Dana Jacobson, co-host of the "ESPN First Take" morning show, was invited to join a celebrity roast for ESPN morning radio hosts Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic, who were celebrating their eighth anniversary on the air. Jacobson, reportedly under the influence of alcohol, used obscenities to attack Notre Dame University, the Christian faith and even the person of Christ. To the credit of those in attendance, she was booed off the stage.

The Chicago Tribune reported that Jacobson was suspended for one week for her reckless and offensive comments. In a statement released through ESPN, Jacobson called her comments "foolish and insensitive." Jacobson's remarks came just two days after another TV anchor was suspended for offensive language. The Golf Channel suspended Kelly Tilghman for two weeks for saying on air that young players who wanted to challenge Tiger Woods should "lynch him in a back alley."

All of us can recall times when we said things that we later regretted. Perhaps we spoke out of anger or hurt, or under the influence of alcohol or another substance. Fortunately, we don’t have people recording us on video cameras and so our careless words are rarely repeated – or are they?

In Matthew 12:36 Jesus said, “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." Don’t kid yourself, words are important. They have the power to hurt or heal, build up or tear down. According to Christ, the things we say will ultimately follow us to heaven, unless of course we seek God’s forgiveness through confession and repentance.

We need to follow the example of the Psalmist who prayed in Psalm 141:3, “Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.” May our mouths be channels of blessing, life and encouragement to our family and friends.

Shoulder to Shoulder,

Gregg