Head-dibs

Webster’s Dictionary defines profanity as, “not sacred or holy; irreverent toward God and man; contempt for holy things; blasphemy and serving to defile that which is holy; also not possessing expert knowledge.” The use of profane words is popular, looked upon as being “up to date” in many places where instead the most important thing, salvation from sin, is neglected. What is a person doing when using profane language? Do children know what is being said? Other than demonstrating how one has no knowledge or control over the way one uses the mouth, does one realize when he curses the doom he pronounces to a soul that never dies? “ The tongue is a fire: the world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the wheel of nature, and is set on fire by hell. " (James 3:6). Do you know why they are called, “curse words”? The one who curses is actually praying: • That God should curse instead of forgive; • To put in prison instead of set fr...

[If you are so inclined, please note the challenge in the final paragraph.] “As a chaplain in the Forces overseas, I can say quite simply that to me profanity was a sorer trial than any terror of war. Profanity included vulgarity, lewdness, sacrilege, blasphemy, and horrible mixtures of all four. By far the worst was the taking in vain of the name of the Lord. The men used to tell me that they meant nothing by it, that they were not even thinking of God when they thus mentioned His name. Nevertheless, the Lord did not hold them guiltless while taking His name in vain. I found that men swore either to shock people, to be mean, or to hide inferiority. Their profanity showed a lack of education, breeding and character. It lowered self-respect, cheapened the better things and defiled the whole personality. It shocked people of good taste, provoked contempt, fouled the atmosphere, set a bad example, and disqualified men for decent society. Worst of all, it offended God. Upon return to...

Blasphemy is the use of action and language in terms of supreme insult that reveals the true heart of a person. Primarily, blasphemy concerns one’s attitude toward God. Specifically to blaspheme means to blame God. Blasphemy clearly communicates one’s lack of reverence and in that communication the blasphemer exalts himself above another, even implying that he himself has attributes of diety. This is why blasphemy is wrong. It is the next domino to fall after breaking the 1st commandment (“You shall have no other gods before Me”) and the 2nd commandment (“You shall not make for yourself graven images and bow down to worship them”). G. Campbell Morgan teaches his readers that taking the name of the Lord in vain is more than simple profanity, the reducing of the name of God and the reputation that name recalls to a mere throw-around word. Morgan shows that where there is blasphemy is also frivolity and hypocrisy. [i] We are accustomed to the concept that one simply does not use the na...

The result of our recent move has put us within the boundaries of a changing neighborhood. A local church is fronting an initiative called “The Nehemiah Project” that includes affordable housing and cleaning up the neighborhood both aesthetically and spiritually. Though I think we are the only white people for quite a few miles, I actually delight in God’s providence for us to be in this area, though we are not part of that local church—I am sure He is going to do something great. I mentioned before about the party that took place next door: the loud music, the debauchery and language being broadcast without shame into the neighborhood. I was outside doing some gardening last night when I suddenly heard an eruption of profanity and abusive speech from two bickering females (I just can’t call them “ladies”) two houses down—yes, two houses down. About once a week they erupt and I shoo the children inside . . . I never have been able to tell what their problem is, but all the guys do ...