Potty Mouth Professionals!

Should professionals be expected to use language that isn't laced with profanity? It is obvious that among that crowd are those who cannot speak without injecting some vulgar term into what they are attempting to communicate!

Some examples:

(1) Dr. Phil is well known for his talk show (and counseling) program. We may get the last few minutes as we turn on our local newscast at noon time. For some, even 2 or 3 minutes of Phil goes a long, long way. Anyway, he was in a phone conversation with a lady who had a camera focused on her in her living room. Phil wanted to talk to her husband about a domestic issue, but he wasn't available -- Phil became a bit frustrated and in the process of speaking, used the word "ass" and he was not making reference to the little humble beast of burden which has long ears!

(2) A member of the U.S. Congress was speaking on a news sound bite over the issue of sending more troops into Iraq -- he attempted to emphasize the critical nature of such a move and stressed that we needed to be sure, only in front of the word, "sure," he had to insert the word, "damn."

(3) Even President Bush was caught using profanity at a meeting of the heads of some nations overseas -- he said something to Tony Blair, assuming the mike was turned off, but it wasn't -- and so everyone who saw the video and heard the statement found out that even a president can have a potty mouth!

(4) One of our grandsons was working toward a teaching degree and part of final preparation was spending time with hands on experience in a classroom. In his case it involved elementary aged students. He was just getting started with his class time when one of the students loudly used the infamous "f" word! Our grandson said it stopped him cold -- he didn't know what to do next and looked to the regular teacher for some guidance on the matter. It is well established by now that discipline of the little tykes when they get out of line either by speech or by conduct is a no-no. If you try to discipline them as they should be, you'll end up without a job and become a defendant in a lawsuit!

(5) And as you well know, that infamous "f" word is not limited to children and youth -- of course "mature" (term used very loosely) adults have made use of the word and the young 'uns decide they can use it too! It was back a spell that Vice President Dick Cheney was extremely frustrated in an exchange of words with some elected government officials and used the word publicly! Now then, would you want your young son or daughter to repeat the speech of a very high level elected official of the federal government -- worse yet, do you want them to grow up and be like such people?

Potty mouth language has become more and more accepted -- it's considered "cute" when a toddler begins to learn to talk and foul language pours out of his mouth -- things which he has picked up from adults or older siblings, by the way! But we simply shrug our shoulders and say that it's just the way life is -- things are different now in the 21st Century!

The pattern can be traced through the history of mass media in broadcasting and publishing enterprises. There was a day in which profanity was not used in what was considered a respectable publication, radio, or TV programming. Then came "ratings" in entertainment and everything began a corroding and corrupting process until we have "arrived" and foul language is as common place as hamburgers and pizza!

Almighty God has addressed all issues of life which have to do with human behavior, including the way we speak. He has made it clear that His Name is not to be taken in vain. But it is common place to hear people telling God to "damn" something, or when we hit our thumb with a hammer, for some reason it seems appropriate to utter the Name of Jesus Christ!

Here are a few statements which God has placed in His Word that apply to the things which come out of our mouths:

Let the lying lips be put to silence, which speak insolent things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.-- Psalm 31:18

For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips, let them even be taken in their pride, and for the cursing and lying which they speak. -- Psalm 59:12

They utter speech, and speak insolent things; all the workers of iniquity boast in themselves. -- Psalm 94:4

For they speak against You wickedly; Your enemies take Your name in vain. -- Psalm 139:20

"Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." -- Matthew 12:34

"But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment." -- Matthew 12:36

But now you must also put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. -- Colossians 3:8

We humans have been created with the power to choose -- to exercise our will and take action for evil or for good. It would be a lot different, would it not, if more people, including the high profile potty mouth persons, would make it the prayer and desire of their hearts to implement the following statements into everyday living:

My tongue shall speak of Your word, for all Your commandments are righteousness.
-- Psalm 119:172

My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD, and all flesh shall bless His holy Name forever and ever.
-- Psalm 145:21

Listen, for I will speak of excellent things, and from the opening of my lips will come right things; for my mouth will speak truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; nothing crooked or perverse is in them. -- Proverbs 8:6-8

I rest my case!

And for potty mouth people who may just happen to read this, whether you are a high profile professional or just an average citizen moving about from day to day, the following is for your use before leaving!

Don't worry, the septic tank is quite gigantic in size and can handle very well your multiple contributions!