A new law in Sydney, Australia gives police the power to issue on the spot fines for up to $240 for public profanity. The general reaction to this new law has been very negative—people want to retain their “right to cuss”. One wonders what kind of people would try to defend “potty talk”. The following quote from a local school teacher gives us some insight into the kind of thinking that is representative of the world we live in.

“Swearing is more than a way of expressing extreme, usually negative, emotion. It's a social adhesive that unites and binds us more than any other. Rich or poor, east or west, Collingwood supporter or Doggies fan; it's something we all share - a great equaliser. It opens people up, cements relationships. As a teacher, I know I've won a few year 8 classes over as I've let slip a few choice cusses struggling with a data projector. Make any kind of threat about the people's right to make ribald implications about the parentage of a Metro train driver, as the Sydenham train pulls away a minute early and you incite sedition and rebellion on a scale that would be unmatched, bar a sudden tax on coffee beans.”

Well, how about that? According to Michael Stuchbery, a Melbourne school teacher, a foul mouth is what really binds us together. Granted, public profanity is acceptable and attractive to a lot of people. Yes, it is true that several of our own state laws against public profanity in our country have been declared unconstitutional. But civil legality does not equate to morality. Wrong is wrong!

The Holy Spirit has made it very clear what God’s view is toward the language of the sewer. Take note of Ephesians 5:3-4: “Since you are God's people, it is not right that any matters of sexual immorality or indecency or greed should even be mentioned among you. Nor is it fitting for you to use language which is obscene, profane, or vulgar.” (TEV)

I doubt that present-day advocates of “cuss’n” would ever put their foul mouths in the same category as fornication, but the Lord did. Add to this His statement in Matthew 12:37: “...and by thy words thou shall be condemned,” and we see just how serious God is about our word choices.

Some might object saying, “words are nothing”, but we know better because they reveal to the whole world something about what is really going on inside us. Again, Jesus said, “...the things which proceed out of the mouth come forth out of the heart; and they defile the man.” Matthew 15:18 There is no place in our lives for ANY profane thoughts or words. “...keep your tongue from evil…” Psalm 34:13