Introduction:
A. One day an elderly preacher told his congregation that he was feeling a bit lonely and depressed.
1. So one of the church members suggested to the preacher that he should buy a pet.
2. Thinking this was a great idea, he hurried to town and after much deliberation, bought a parrot.
3. Unfortunately not five minutes after arriving home, the parrot started hurling a string of expletives at the minister.
4. After about an hour of it, the minister slapped the parrot on the beak, and said, “QUIT IT!”
5. But this just made the parrot madder and he began swearing at the minister in even more colorful language, so the minister covered the cage with a blanket, but didn’t stop the parrot.
6. Finally, the minister had had enough, and he grabbed the parrot and threw him into the freezer.
7. After a few minutes the parrot quieted down, and the minister became concerned for the well-being of the parrot.
8. The minister opened the freezer door and the parrot climbed out of the freezer, flapping the ice off his wings, and began apologizing to the old minister, “I am awfully sorry about the trouble I’ve caused you. In the future, I'll do my best to improve my vocabulary.”
9. The old minister was astounded by the sudden transformation that had come over the parrot.
10. Then the parrot said, “May I ask you a question?” “Sure,” replied the minister. “What in the world did the frozen chicken in the freezer do to you?”
11. Have you ever wished you could deal with someone’s foul mouth the way that minster dealt with the parrot?
B. Today, we are returning to our series called: “Speak Life – Speaking Words that Heal, not Hurt.”
1. The Bible tells us that words have the power of life and death.
2. God’s desire is for all of us to learn how to control our tongues so that our words bring life.
3. So far in our series, we have explored: The truth about lying, the malignant talk of gossip and slander, the ego talk of boasting, flattery and exaggeration, and corrosive talk, which has to do with speaking words of complaining and criticizing.
4. Today, we want to explore the topic of Expletives Deleted – lifting our speech out of the gutter.
C. The official transcript of the Watergate tapes of the Nixon era were frequently interrupted by the phrase, “Expletives deleted,” and “expletives deleted” became a common term for foul language.
1. Like many standards of society, the decency of a matter is not absolute, but is relative.
2. It’s interesting that expletives, though at one time were considered “unpresidential,” have now become so acceptable in our society.
3. Some people have long used profanity and obscenity privately when they’re angry or disgusted.
a. Some have used it for emphasis and for others it is just a habit.
b. Sadly, this is even true of some professing Christians.
4. One of the sides of the family that I grew up in was a drinking and cussing clan.
a. They saw no discrepancy between inebriation, foul language, and church going.
b. They would have a drunken, volatile card game with expletives flying across the table at Gram’s on Saturday night, and then be in the Methodist church on Sunday morning.
c. That kind of behavior never set very well with me, but I gave the cussing a try in my late elementary school years.
d. My best friend and I decided to do a lot of swearing when we were together, but I remember that after a short time, we made a pack to stop that kind of language, and we did.
5. As you know, more recently, foul language has become commonplace, not just in private, but also in public and in the mass media.
a. Finding a TV show, movie, music or novel that does not use profanity and obscenity is nearly impossible, even in so-called “family entertainment.”
6. Social media has gone so far as to give such expressions code abbreviations, so people can use profanity without having to type it out.
7. Shockingly, many school teachers and textbooks use such language, and reading assignments may be filled with it.
8. Some defend such language on the grounds of “freedom of speech” and “academic freedom,” but even it all this is legal, that doesn’t make it moral or acceptable to God.
D. In the end, it is not our job to control what people out there allow to come out of their mouths, but it is each of our jobs as Christ-followers to honor God with our speech.
1. God’s Word establishes absolute parameters for our speech.
2. There are four kinds of speech that we should be serious about deleting from our language: cursing, profanity, obscenity, and euphemisms.
3. Although, we might lump all these kinds of speech into one category called foul language, they each are different from each other.
4. Let’s define each of these so that we can be certain they are not found on our lips.
I. Cutting Cursing
A. The American Heritage Dictionary defines cursing as “curse…an appeal or prayer for evil or injury to befall someone…to invoke evil, calamity, or injury upon…”
1. So a person curses someone else anytime they say that they wish harm would happen to them.
2. They might say something like: “I wish he'd drop dead, or get hit by a car.”
3. Not to be offensive, but some people use the word and concept of “damn” to curse people and to curse things by bringing condemnation upon them.
4. Again, not to be offensive, but some people say to others: “Go to …that place of punishment!”
5. So, a person is cursing when they use words like I have described or similar language that expresses the desire for people to receive harm.
B. So, what does the Bible say about cursing?
1. Jesus said, “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6:27-28)
2. Paul wrote: Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse… Do not repay anyone evil for evil…Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. (Romans 12:14, 17, 19)
3. Cursing is a violation of love because it wishes harm on others.
a. We should not even curse our enemies, and that means we should not curse anyone at all. b. Instead, we should bless, which means to wish for good to come to others.
4. As we try to warn evildoers what God teaches about their future punishment, we may properly use biblical words that describe the punishment God will bring on the wicked.
5. But we must remember that God Himself will curse the wicked in the proper time and manner according to His justice and wisdom – this is God’s job, not ours!
II. Purging Profanity
A. The dictionary defines “profane” as: “Showing contempt or irreverence toward God or sacred things...” (AHD).
1. Profanity involves referring to anything holy in a way that mocks or ridicules it, or otherwise fails to show proper respect or reverence for it.
2. Some people profane the names of God (God, Jesus, Christ, Jehovah, Lord) by using them as expressions of anger or disgust or in a light, flippant way.
3. Likewise, others profane sacred things such as: hell - the destiny of the wicked, or heaven - the dwelling place of God.
4. Another way people speak profanity is the practice of referring disrespectfully to acts of worship such as prayer, the words of spiritual songs, and various Bible phrases (such as “hallelujah,” which means “praise Jehovah”).
B. What does the Bible say about profanity?
1. In Ezekiel 22:26, we learn that the priests of Israel were guilty of profaning God’s holy things when they made no distinction between what was holy and what was common.
a. So, to treat holy things as though they are common is to profane them.
b. This passage refers especially to profaning God’s word and worship. (See also Lev. 10:10.)
2. One of the 10 Commandments addresses the problem of profanity.
a. In Exodus 20:7, God says: “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.”
b. The Hebrew word, translated “misuse” in the NIV and “in vain” in the King James means “something that is empty, meaningless, without substance, and without proper respect.”
c. To refer to God’s name in such a way would be profanity.
3. God’s name is so special – it is a revelation of Himself to us, and by it He is inviting intimacy.
a. The personal name for God revealed in the third commandment is “The Lord your God,” some pronounce it as YAHWEH, “I AM.”
b. God’s most fundamental characteristic is: that He is, has always been, and always will be.
c. This speaks of his eternal nature, sovereignty, and faithfulness. He does not change.
4. The Bible often speaks about how wonderful and sacred the name of God is – look at a few of these verses:
a. “He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever - holy and awesome is his name.” (Ps 111:9)
b. “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” (Ps 8:1)
c. “Stand up and praise the Lord your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise.” (Neh 9:5)
d. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (At 4:12)
e. “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth, and under the earth. (Phil 2:9-10)
C. Now that we know that God’s name is so special and should be treated with respect, let’s talk about the improper uses of God’s name.
1. Because God’s name is so important, we should expect Satan to try to find ways to pervert our use of it.
2. There’s a heartbreaking verse in Isaiah 52:5 where God is mourning the plight of his people, and listing the evils of that day. He says, “All day long my name is constantly blasphemed.”
3. Have you ever thought about how many times each day the Holy God must hear His name blasphemed and profaned?
D. Let me share a few ways that people in the world and in the church misuse the name of God.
1. First, God’s name should not be used as an exclamation point.
a. People often use the names of the Godhead to express reactions of all sorts of emotions.
b. I don’t mean to be offensive, but let me give you a few examples.
c. A person hears some startling news and responds, “Oh my God!” Or they see a rather gruesome scene and whisper, “Jesus!”
d. Of course, when we do that, we don’t mean anything by it, right?
e. But look at what the person is doing: they are using the holy name of God as a mere synonym for “Oh, your kidding” or “I can’t believe it!” or “That’s terrible!”
2. Second, God’s name should not be used as a cliché.
a. Many Christian people are guilty of this type of misuse - it’s a way to sound spiritual.
b. Some people say, “Praise the Lord!” with such regularity, that they don’t even realize what they are saying.
c. Many people say, “God bless you!” without even considering those words.
d. Do you see the problem? God’s name should only be used or associated with things of substance and genuineness.
e. His name is not a cliché, and we should not use it unless we deeply mean what we say.
3. Third, God’s name should not be used as an endorsement.
a. Our society accepts the fact that association with rich, powerful, or popular people lends credibility to what one says or does.
b. That’s why professional athletes are paid millions to let us in on their underwear choices. c. That’s why recording artists are well paid to tell us which soda’s are “cool.”
d. Sadly, sometimes people link their names with the King of Kings for personal gain.
e. I don’t believe that God wants His name marketed for people’s selfish purposes.
f. If you are a Christian, then be a Christian businessman or businesswomen, but you don’t have to name your company the “Praise the Lord Lumber Company.”
4. Fourth, God’s name should not be used as a false or frivolous oath.
a. Lev. 19:12, “Do not swear falsely by my name and so profane the name of your God.”
b. We note from that passage that God does not want us to use His name in a vain oath.
c. It is proper to use the divine name in taking certain oaths, particularly those of a religious or judicial nature.
d. But it is wrong to invoke the name of God to certify some trivial matter.
e. Someone might say, “I’ll be at your house for dinner tonight at 7 pm, so help me God.”
f. Or someone might say, “I promise you, I didn’t eat that last donut, God is my witness.”
g. There are times in Scripture, when Paul calls God to witness that some statement of his is true, but that is not a trivial matter. (Gal 1:20; 2 Cor 1:23, Phil 1:8)
h. It is not wrong to use the name of God for the purpose of taking an oath that is legitimate, solemn, and proper, but it is wrong to use the name of God in trivial things.
E. I hope that our speech isn’t profane.
1. I hope that we are not taking the holy name of God or other sacred things, and using them as nothing more than common expressions of anger and disgust, or oaths.
2. I hope that an increasing awareness of all God is will elevate the name of God in our hearts, so that we honor and revere it with our tongues.
III. Obliterating Obscenity
A. Expressions of immoral and sensual speech are simply not compatible with our Christian calling.
1. That which is “obscene” is defined as “offensive to modesty or decency; indecent; lewd ... causing or intended to cause sexual excitement or lust...” (Random House College Dictionary).
2. Too often in our society, jokes and humor contain sexual suggestions or double entendre.
3. Some expressions of disgust or anger indecently refer to reproductive acts or to bodily processes of purification or to the private parts of the body involved in these acts.
4. Perhaps the worst and most used obscenity of our day is called the “f-bomb” – and it is hard to avoid it as it is often used on TV, in movies, music, school, and the workplace.
B. What does the Bible say about obscenity?
1. Colossians 3:8 says: But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
2. Look at how clearly Paul addresses the subject in Ephesians 5:3-12: But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person - such a man is an idolater - has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.
3. Let’s look closely at those verses.
a. For God’s people, there must not even be a hint of sexual immorality.
b. For God’s people, there must not be any obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking.
c. No immoral or impure person has any inheritance in God’s kingdom.
d. God’s wrath will come on those who are involved in this kind of sinfulness.
e. We should not be partners with them, nor mention what they do in secret.
f. Why? We were once darkness, but now we are light, and must live as children of light.
4. So, if we are trying to keep from obscenity, what should we be striving to avoid?
a. We should strive to avoid words, jokes, or expressions that are sexually suggestive.
b. We should never make a joke or use a vulgar expression in reference to things that should be kept private.
c. Not only are we wrong if we use such speech, but we are also wrong if we “take pleasure in” those who do so.
c. This would include laughing at or enjoying being entertained by people who use such language.
IV. Eliminating Euphemisms
A. You might be thinking: “What in the world is a euphemism?”
1. A euphemism is “the substitution of a mild, indirect or vague expression for one thought to be offensive, harsh, or blunt...” (RHCD).
2. People who are angry or upset, will sometimes use altered forms of a word in place of the curse, profanity, or obscenity.
3. The substitute often means the same, is used in the same way, sounds similar, or is obviously an altered form of the objectionable word.
4. Here are some examples:
a. Dang, darn or “doggone it” are used as a substitute for damn.
b. Gosh or Golly are euphemistic alterations of God.
c. Gee is a substitute for Jesus, and Jeepers Creepers is a substitute for Jesus Christ.
d. Heck is a substitute for hell.
e. And even the initialism of O.M.G. is an abbreviation of “Oh My God.”
f. Actually, my name became a euphemism in my sister’s home. My niece overheard her angered dad, say a swear word, and later when she got angry, her parents heard her say, “Oh, David!” – Can you guess what word her dad had used?
B. The point is: not all expressions of surprise or anger are wrong, nor that all euphemisms are wrong.
1. Not all euphemisms are substitutes for bad words.
2. We often substitute words that mean the same as perfectly good words.
a. We may say someone “passed away” instead of saying he died.
b. If it is not wrong to say he died, why would it be wrong to say he passed away?
3. But if the substitute means the same as a bad word, is used in the same way, even sounds similar and is obviously just an alteration of a bad word, then how can it be right to use the substitute in place of the bad word?
a. Doesn’t it make sense that all the Bible principles that condemn the improper word likewise condemn the substitute?
4. Someone might respond, “But that's not what I mean when I use those words.”
a. Granted, some people may not think about the meaning and so may use them without realizing what they mean.
b. But what about our influence on people who do know what they mean?
c. Christians must always consider the way our conduct affects others (especially young people and new converts), so we do not tempt them to sin.
d. Many people do know the meaning of these words, and many of the words sound so much like their original meaning that they are easily recognizable with just a little thought.
Conclusion:
A. We must always keep in mind that our words have the power of life and death.
1. We must keep in mind that we want to be the best examples of godliness that we can be.
2. We want our lights to shine so brightly, because we are children of light.
3. Expletives like cursing, profanity, obscenity and euphemisms characterize those in darkness.
4. We also must remember that God is concerned about the words we use - Jesus said we will meet them again in Judgement: “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.” (Mt 12:36-37).
5. I hope and pray that all of us will make a commitment, if we haven’t already done so, to rid our speech of all expletives – all cursing, profanity, obscenity, and inappropriate euphemisms.
B. Let me end with this positive and challenging story.
1. In 2009, McKay Hatch was a skinny 15-year-old with braces on his teeth.
a. He is the middle of seven children, and at that time he played soccer, rode a unicycle and said he liked Disney movies, The Beatles, The Beach Boys and The Bee Gees.
b. But there was one thing he didn’t like: cussing – he said: “It just makes me feel really offended and stuff, it just doesn't make me feel good.”
2. Hatch’s parents are authors of a book titled Raising a G-Rated Family in an X-rated World.
a. Profanity was frowned on at home.
3. Hatch says none of his friends in elementary school ever swore, but it seemed like when they got to middle school, “everyone started cussing.”
4. When he started high school, Hatch ratcheted up his courage and asked his friends to stop cussing around him - He thought he’d be shunned, but surprisingly, his friends agreed.
5. That’s when McKay Hatch started a “no-cussing club” at South Pasadena High School.
6. In his quest against foul language, Hatch has issued a no-cussing challenge through his Web site, and his book that was published in 2009.
7. Hatch’s “No Cussing Club” boasts of 30,000 members worldwide.
8. Hatch has gotten a lot of attention, but not all of it has been positive.
9. His squeaky-clean message has also sparked plenty of hate.
10. Sadly, Hatch says some people in high school went out of their way to curse him at school, on the Web and on the phone.
a. He has been the target of many pranks and death threats, that prompted local police and the FBI to get involved.
b. Hatch says, “You know, at first it was really kinda scary, but they’re just bullies and they want you to be scared. And so I’m not gonna let them win.”
12. Hatch says that he’s not trying to take away anyone’s freedom of speech, just challenging them to come up with cleaner language.
13. This should be the goal of all of us: to clean up our language, to delete all expletives, to speak life and to honor God with our lips.
Resources:
Resources: Tongue in Check, Joseph Stowell, Victor Publishing, 1994, Chapter Six.
“Watch Your Language” Article from The Bible Study Online Library (The Gospel Way), http://www.gospelway.com/morality/language.php
“No Cussing” Founder: Mind Your Dang Language, NPR, 1.26.09, Mandalit Del Barco,
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=99878812
