PROFANITY—IT’S NOT JUST ASSOCIATED WITH MORAL LOWLIFES AND DRUNKEN SAILORS ANY MORE
“But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy,
filthy communication out of your mouth.”
— Colossians 3:8
Tyron Edwards (1809-1894) said, “Profanity is both an unreasonable and an unmanly sin, a violation alike of good taste and good morals; an offence against both man and God. Some sins are productive of temporary profit or pleasure; but profaneness is productive of nothing unless it be shame on earth, and damnation in hell. It is the most gratuitous of all kinds of wickedness - a sort of pepper-corn acknowledgment of the sovereignty of the devil over those who indulge in it.” Here’s a truth that desperately needs to be received today.
The use of profanity in America has become as commonplace as eating and breathing — It’s use knows no barriers; not in terms of gender, age, education or intellect, etc. (Well, the “intellect” of those who use it is definitely questionable). It was no less a personage than the Father of our Country who said, “The foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing is a vice so mean and low, that every person of sense and character detests and despises it.” There’s still a lot to be said, too, for the old adage that, “Profanity indicates a lack of vocabulary.”
Sadly, a great many people can’t carry on a conversation unless it’s laced with profanity. The most common “filler word” used to be “uh.” Today the filler word of choice seems to be a four letter word – a four letter word that would have drawn a sharp rebuke or slap in the face not long ago in our society. In this post-truth, post-Christian, culture we are in, people have become, in private and in public, unbelievably, unashamedly and shockingly foul-mouthed.
The use of profanity on television and radio is as common on news broadcasts, commercials and game shows as it is on sit-coms and adult rated movies, etc. Much of the "music" most popular with young people is full. of it. High profile people from professional athletes to politicians, from grad students to grade schoolers, use it without restraint. Profanity long recognized as the language of harlots is now used commonly and casually by housewives, and businessmen in expensive suits have no cleaner language than the most vulgar bums on the street. Filthy language is now in vogue, in style – the “in” thing to do.
Today, even professed Christians often use profanity of a so-called “milder variety.” But they shouldn’t use it at all (Luke 6:45). Neither should they use so-called “minced oaths” (thinly disguised dirty words) or innuendo or speech that is off color. There’s no need or excuse for it; it’s part of the “evil speaking” that we’re supposed to “put away” from us (Eph. 4:31). It is disobedience to the Holy Spirit inspired Word of God that says, “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man” (Col. 4:6)
Millions of Americans today need a visit from some old-fashioned mothers and grandmothers who will do for them what old-fashioned mothers and grandmothers used to do for boys and girls who used bad language — that is, give their mouths a good washing out with soap. More importantly, people need the heart-cleansing, soul cleansing, tongue cleansing that is brought about by salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ.
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
—John 8:32