Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Psa. 19:14

But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness ...2 Tim. 2:16

What is the deal with this lewd, filthy, profane talk we are hearing more and more from the mouths of people who profess to be Christians? Apparently, we have a generation that is attempting to practice some form of religion and calling it Christianity, while possessing very little knowledge of the Word of God and rejecting its authority at the same time. Therefore, we are seeing these people become more and more ungodly very quickly. It is very common now to hear coming from the mouths of "Christians" words that would have brought swift punishment upon us when we were children. Words that were banned on TV and in public are now completely acceptable to those who claim to be the children of God. Not only profane and vulgar words, but matters that have always been considered inappropriate for mixed company or public discussion are talked about openly, in front of the children, in front of mixed company, and even used as the subjects for sermons in church. There is just a general attitude that it is now acceptable to talk about private, personal things openly. This is not something that anyone should be proud of. It is not progress, and it is not higher intelligence, it simply degeneration, and it leaves a person with no dignity before others and repulsive before a Holy God.

If you chuckle or make light of this matter, you have a serious spiritual problem. God has not changed his mind about profanity simply because this sinful generation has. What comes out of a person's mouth comes directly from their heart. Jesus made it clear that a corrupt tree brings forth corrupt fruit. (Luke 6:43-45) There is no other explanation for such behavior. Anyone may call themselves a Christian, but that does not mean it is true. "Wherefore, by their fruits ye shall know them ..." Jesus said. (Matt 7:20) If your mouth is profane, so is your heart. If you say dirty, foul things with your tongue it is an absolute certainty that you think dirty, foul things in your heart. "Create in me a clean heart..." said David, and a clean heart makes for a clean mouth. No one has any problem identifying a sewer by its smell and no one who knows God and is aquatinted with his Word has any trouble recognizing that foulness of the soul that reveals itself through the low-talking, profane talk that comes out of the mouth.

The reason this generation (especially the younger ones) is profane is because they have learned the way of the heathen. They have refused to separate from this ungodly world, which is commanded and taught throughout both the Old and New Testaments, and they have "learned the way of the heathen" just like God says will always happen. Their hearts have been drawn away from God by the "way of the wicked." They simply will not quit listening to them. They love their music, their dirty TV shows, their profane movies, and their dirty comedians. They allow the world to teach them and their children everything, from what to wear to how to reason and think. They do not know, or care anymore what the Bible says, or what the Will of God is. They reject God's authority and live loose and low, but at the same time they try in vain to cling to God's promises of blessing and hold to some hope of heaven after this life is over. They want to find comfort in their troubles here and eternal life in heaven while they reject God's authority in their lives here and now. But people like this need to be reminded that the Bible says if God cannot even control your tongue your religion is vain.

If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. James 1:26

What comes out of a person's mouth is the final stage of their conversion - to God or to abasement and depravity. God works in a sinners heart long before you hear him confess with his mouth and begin to praise and honor God with his lips. It works the same way when someone is going the other way. A person who has been reared and taught in an environment of purity will defile their heart and mind long before it begins to pour forth from the mouth. They keep it contained until they are certain they have made their decision and then they begin to pour forth through their mouth the corruption that is in their heart. They do it brazenly and with confidence. They use it as a sword to defy and to harm those who have not followed them into the darkness. If you are one who feels free to use such language you have no right to claim you are a child of God, and with your profane lips you give all the evidence needed to confirm that you are a child of hell.

"Profanity is the attempt of a lazy and feeble mind to express itself forcefully"

"Cursing is invoking the assistance of a spirit to help you inflict suffering. Swearing on the other hand, is invoking, only the witness of a spirit to an statement you wish to make."

Using low, profane words is also a way to identify oneself with the world. That is a big reason that people allow their talk to degenerate to such a low level. They do it to find favor with wicked people and to prove they are one of them, just as Peter did when he denied the Lord. Cursing and swearing was the final thing he did to prove to those people that he was NOT one of Jesus disciples. Many of this young generation are doing it for the same reason.

If you have drifted spiritually and allowed your heart to become defiled with this profane world then let this serve as a warning to you. You are wrong! That is the complete opposite of what a true child of God is like. You must repent and ask God's forgiveness and deal with your profane mouth at its source - your heart! A good place to begin is to stop listening to other profane people pour forth their filth. Turn it off, wherever it is coming from. It may be coming from the music you listen to, or the movies and programs you watch on television, or the books and magazines you read. When you stop pumping it into your mind all the time it will eventually become shocking and repulsive to you again. Remember that if your tongue has no bridle your religion is vain (it is worthless and meaningless). Do what David did and ask God to create in you a clean heart. When He does it will be evidenced by a mouth that can communicate without using worldly slang, profane words, and cursing. Then, if you care to know what God says about this matter please read the following Scriptures.

Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ… Phil. 1:27

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Tim. 4:12

But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 1 Pet. 1:15

While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. 1 Pet. 3:2 (clean, pure)

And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: 2 Pet. 2:7

Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 2 Pet. 3:11

...and the froward mouth, do I hate. Prov. 8:13

Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. Isa. 6:5

Mike Miller
Tuesday, June 14, 2011