Profanity: Language Of The Weak?

One of my pet peeves is profanity coming from the mouth of a confessed Christian. I don't like profanity at all, but, when it comes from someone who is supposed to be 'made in the image' of the Lord, then, to me, it's doubly troubling.

I ran across an article at Tim Challies' blog in his sidebar about Profanity, language, and Christians, written by Warren Kelly at View From The Pew. He quoted Ephesians 5:4.

Ephesians 5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

I believe, once we become a born-again Christian, a follower of Christ, we will clean up our 'act', and profanity will no longer be a stronghold on our lives. The Word says "out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh" (Matthew 12:34). If we are 'cleaned up', then profanity shouldn't be spewing from our mouths. It bothers me tremendously to go to what I think is a Christian site, only to find offensive words, words that shouldn't be coming from the mouths of Christians. It's smut talk, in that it blackens the person's image in others' eyes.

Carla, from the Community Blog, has a great post on 'Our Speech -Revisited', in which she talks about how some Christians try to justify the use of cussing and swearing (ANY WORDS) are okay, "used in the proper text".

This seems to be all a part of modern Christianity. Freedom, liberty, to say, think, do, and engage in whatever seems okay at the time. What has happened in our local churches, that has opened this door? Why has our standard of holy living been lowered so low, that we don’t sound any different than the average man on the street?

I believe the Word says that God never changes. We are made in His image, in His likeness. We are to follow after holiness.

II Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

When we truly are 'cleansed' in our mind and body, I believe we will not have the need or want to use this offensive language in our conversations. It will not come freely from our mouths, although some may think it's okay. But, there always is a question in my mind about anyone, professing Christianity, when their mouth doesn't line up with the Word of God.

Tags| Profanity, Christian, Christianity, Speech, Language