Expletives? Deleted.

A Facebook friend recently wrote a status setting some personal ground rules. Using cuss words would result in the user's being de-Friended (a very Facebook-specific word!)

Reading the conversation that ensued, I felt many of the responses were unexpected. One young man didn’t understand why the words were considered bad, since his parents and other adults used them. “We see it as this: if it was really THAT bad, our parents wouldn't do it.”

I can see his reasoning. Using reason alone, people tend to take the path of least resistance, ending up doing what they want, selfishly ignoring those around them. Which is why reasoning alone isn’t an answer.

An adult, in favor of non-censorship, asked, "… what makes a word a bad word anyway? Who sits around, said a word then said ‘Lets make that a bad word’. I just don't get it."

Another adult agreed, saying "… the assignment of 'offensiveness' to arbitrary words serves only to develop skills of self-censorship." He went on to say that if he were cussed out in a foreign language, the words would not be offensive to him. He wouldn't know what they were saying, so the words themselves were not bad.

The teen closed with, “Cussing should not change your views about someone.”

It appears that those quoted are not familiar with some of my favorite Bible verses.

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

A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. [Matthew 12:35-37 KJV]

James tells us that our speech indicates our wisdom and knowledge.

Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. [James 3:13 KJV]

It is a very simple truth our Lord taught.

Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. … But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. [Matthew 15:15, 18 KJV]

The Bible also gives us some standards when it comes to what goes into our minds.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. [Philippians 4:8 KJV]

Such input into our hearts and minds would then determine what comes out our mouths – or fingers!