Bad, dirty, filthy, foul, vile, vulgar, course, in poor taste, unseemly, street talk, gutter talk, locker room language, naughty, saucy, raunchy, crude, lude, indecent, profane, inappropriate, obscene, off color, gray, suggestive, cursing, cussing, swearing... These are the bad words that we use to describe "bad words". There are "bad words" in music, jokes, speeches, books, tv shows, and movies. Politicians have been caught using them, and so have doctors, lawyers, parents, teachers, the President, and yes even some preachers. I've invented a "bushism" for this kind of talk... foulmouthiness.
Here's the deal, some words although harsh may be ok to say. Other words are only ok to say in certain groups. Then there are the select "dirty" words that should always be avoided. Let me try to explain this. Words are cultural. Each culture has acceptable and unacceptable language. Men are able to talk about some things women are not comfortable hearing, and women are able to have certain conversations that will make men run away. The process of childbirth spoken in the language of my nurse friends is one example of this. Wisdom and maturity tells us to be sensitive to our listening audience. Another example is the culture of age. The younger generation uses the word "sucks" to have a negative meaning. Most adults over 40 are offended by this usage. It doesn't mean they have to stop using the word since in their culture it's accepted, but they should be sensitive to those around. In the same way the word "pregnant" many years ago was not even allowed on TV. It was considered inappropriate. My, how things have changed.
The real problem with our language and speech is not only a cultural problem, but a heart problem. The bible says "...out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks." Simply said, our words reveal the condition of our heart. If our heart is full of love and compassion, it will be made known by our words. If our heart is bitter, and full of anger, our speech will reveal that as well. If your speech is undisciplined... bingo... so is your spiritual life. If we let cuss words fly, not caring who's around to hear, or who we are offending, it shows a selfish heart unconcerned about others. From my experience with people who have been newly saved by God's grace, one of the first things that change is their language. Why?.... because of the heart change. The mouth reveals the condition of the heart. The potty mouth is just a symptom of a more serious problem.
Some may say I'm being legalistic... I've been called that before (once). But I'm not,... I am in no way saying you are going to hell for saying a cuss word when you stump your toe. I am simply saying to look deeper than the cuss word. If you said it in a loss of control then it's wrong. If you curse to be cool, then it's wrong. If you cuss to offend, wrong too. James, the brother of Jesus, was brutally honest about our words. He says "If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight reign on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. (James 1:26)
On the other hand, our tongue has been entrusted with the salvation of all men. "the tongue has the power of life and death..." (Prov. 18:21) It started with the prophets and the angels, and now has been given all believers. The responsibility of telling, speaking, sharing, saying the good news. The message of Jesus was entrusted to our irresponsible tongues. The very tongues that have a hard time with cursing, and gossiping. But God has faith that we will use our words wisely. Let's honor, not embarrass God with our mouths.
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