A Word on Language

John Witherspoon, an American founding father and educator, said "What follows from this?  That he is the best friend to american liberty, who is most sincere and active in promoting true and undefiled religion, and who sets himself with the greatest firmness to bear down profanity and immorality of every kind," (emphasis added).  Witherspoon believed that vulgar language and immorality went against the principles of our nation.  However, the common view today has drastically changed.  Patrick B. Pexton, an opinion writer for The Washington Post, says in his article Profanity in the Post that "A war of words is being waged in The Post newsroom...This is mainly about whether The Post should reflect in its stories how people talk, whether and how to quote them when they swear, and whether as writers we can occasionally throw in the well-placed expletive to convey emphasis, tone and verisimilitude."  I believe that profanity opposes Gods commandments, can unnecessarily communicate emphasis, and indicates a foul mind.

God expressly commands in the Bible to not use foul language.  For example, in Exodus 20:7 God tells us that "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain" (NASB).  Uttering God's sovereign name while angered, or to make a point, undermines His glory.  Another example, Proverbs 22:11, says that "As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout,  so is a lovely woman who lacks discretion."  Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines "discretion" as "cautious reserve in speech."  If we do not practice this reserve in our speech, than we will become a ridiculous beauty, lost in sin.

 Writing, a powerful and effective gift, can make great impacts without the use of curse words.  One of the most vast languages in the world, English, constantly grows in vocabulary.  What does this mean?  In Profanity in the Post, Pexton writes that "Asking writers to forsake any foul language would be like asking artists to paint without the color blue." I believe we have many words to convey "emphasis, tone and verisimilitude," (Profanity in the Post) without the use of a curse word.  For example, Patrick Henry a founding father often called a "passionate speaker" by his peers, had the ability to produce speeches that rang with truth, without a single profanity.  One of Patrick Henry's often quoted statements says: "Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains or slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take but as for me; give me liberty or give me death!"

Incredibly reflective of the human mind, the human mouth shows plainly the inward thoughts of a person.  In Matthew 7:15-16, Jesus warns his disciples: "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. By their fruits ye shall know them" (emphasis added, ASV).  Similarly, a person's "fruits," or in this case their words, reflects either the person's Godly intentions, or their sinful desires.  When a person uses a curse word, even if out of habit, it displays the inner reprehensible thoughts from the person. We must not become as the wolves, but strive to mirror the lamb in word and thought..

Pexton sums up his views in the following quote: "Occasionally, though, a writer needs to take a risk to tell a story faithfully and creatively, and that risk should be rewarded. Asking writers to forsake any foul language would be like asking artists to paint without the color blue."  While I do agree that a writer needs to represent a story effectively, we should not use foul language to "get the point across," so to speak.  God commands us to "take every thought captive to obey Christ," (2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV) and so we must apply ourselves diligently to make certain that our words, actions, and thoughts, give glory to God.  We need to "bear down upon profanity" because God commands against it, we can achieve "creative writing" without it, and because profanity indicates the sinful thoughts of a person's mind. 

---

Thanks for reading, I would love your thoughts!

In Him,

Kristin