James 03:07-10 Adult Language – audio

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Text: James 3:7-10

Introduction

1. Recently, purely by coincidence, we have heard several sermons on the uses of the tongue.

2. We’ve talked about:

   1. Gossip.
   2. Confession.
   3. And blasphemy.

3. We need to be exceedingly careful with how and what we say.

4. One way that we can permanently damage our influence on others is to speak in a way not befitting Christ.

5. Today, let’s study together about the topic of profanity.

Body

1. A DEFINITION.

   1. Profanity – Blasphemous or obscene language.

      1. Blasphemous – hurtful speech.
      2. Obscene – offensive or disgusting by accepted standards of morality and decency.

   2. Profane – A person or behavior that is irreverent. To treat with irreverence or disrespect.

      1. Irreverent – Showing a lack of respect for people or things that are generally taken seriously.
      2. Profanity proceeds from a profane person.
         1. As Christians we are to be reverent (Show proper respect) to God and His word.
         2. A Christian who continually uses profanity (Which is in contradiction to God’s word), is thus showing a lack of respect for things which God takes seriously.

2. PROFANITY AND THE BIBLE.

   1. Why doesn’t the Bible give us a list of bad words?

      1. Some feel that the only type of language that is forbidden is language that profanes God’s name.
      2. The Bible does not give a detailed list of words that are considered profanity. Why?
         1. Words come and go. Some words are curse words today which were not curse words many years ago. There are some words in the KJV that are considered profanity today.
         2. This hypothetical list would need to be updated about every decade.
         3. To give a list of words, the Bible would have to give the list in every spoken language in the world.
         4. If we are honest, we know which words are curse words.
      3. Even though the Bible doesn’t give us a precise list, it does give us definite principles to use.

   2. Filthy language.

      1. Ephesians 5:4. Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
         1. “Filthiness” – obscenity. Filthy talking.
         2. This is talking about language that is offensive, disgusting, and irreverent.
      2. Colossians 3:8. But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.

   3. Lewd language. 2 Peter 2:18. For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error.

      1. Lewd – crude or offensive in a sexual way.
      2. “Lewd” language stirs up images of a sexual nature.

   4. Corrupt language. Ephesians 4:29. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

      1. Corrupt – rotten and putrid.
      2. Like spoiled milk.

   5. An important note:

      1. One need not use “cuss words” in order for their language to be classified as filthy.
      2. It is completely possible for our language to be profane without using one single word that we consider to be a “cuss word.”
      3. We must be careful about the content of what we say as well as the word choice. Both are important.

3. PROFANING GOD’S NAME.

   1. Another type of profanity (Blasphemous language) is profaning the name of God.

      1. Remember, to profane something is to treat it with irreverence or disrespect.
      2. It is to take that which is holy and use it in a worldly way.
      3. The phrase, “Oh my God!” / “God!” / “Jesus Christ!” is using God’s name in such a way.

   2. God has always demanded respect for His name.

      1. Exodus 20:7. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.
         1. Vain – when used as an adverb (Which it is here), it means false.
         2. Therefore, this is referring to using God’s name in a falsehood. “Swearing to God.”
         3. Using God’s name in this way is irreverent.
      2. Leviticus 18:21. And you shall not let any of your descendants pass through the fire to Molech, nor shall you profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.
         1. By associating God’s name with pagan worship, one was profaning His name.
         2. To use God’s name in any irreverent way is to profane it.
      3. Jews so respected the name of God that would not write it with a freshly dipped pen, lest it might smear.

4. EUPHEMISMS AND ABBREVIATION.

   1. Euphemism – A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh.

      1. Sometimes, we want to curse but rather than use the actual word, we use a substitute instead.
      2. These words mean the same thing as the curse word.
      3. Examples:
         1. Darn – means to mend. Also a euphemism for a curse word.
         2. Shoot – cause a gun to fire. Also a euphemism.
         3. Gosh – euphemism for “God.”
         4. Freaking – a person might say, “This is freaking me out!” to point out that something is making them uncomfortable. However, when you use this word as an adjective, it is a euphemism.
      4. There are many other words we could add to the list.
      5. Brethren, we need to be careful about what we say.

   2. Abbreviations.

      1. In our world of texting, abbreviations (Letters substituted for phrases) have become popular.
      2. Many are harmless.
         1. LOL. Laugh out loud.
         2. ROFL. Rolls on floor laughing.
      3. However, some abbreviations are abbreviations for curse words or phrases.
      4. OMG. Means “Oh my God!” As we have discussed, this is using God’s name in an irreverent way. Even though you have not said or written God’s name, you have used it in an irreverent way.
      5. There are many abbreviations that are used that stand for profane words or ideas.
      6. Typing an abbreviation is just as bad as saying it out loud or typing out the entire word.
      7. Brethren, we need to be careful about what we type!  Typing is communicating!

Conclusion

1. The title of this sermon is “Adult Language.”

   1. This is a phrase we often see when we are looking at movie or T.V. show ratings.
   2. It means that profanity is spoken in the show.
   3. Let me suggest to you that profanity is not “Adult” language.
   4. Adult language is described in:
      1. Colossians 4:6. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
      2. Ephesians 4:29. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

2. James 3:7-10.

   For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.