My parents cussed in my presence (though they never dropped the f-bomb) and learned so many “colorful metaphors” that by the time I was 12, I could use them all. Of course, I began to hang around peers who used worse language and picked those up. Then, I dropped an f-bomb in biology class! OOPS!! After I got saved at 16, I tried to clean up my language but it took awhile and let a few slip.

Gradually, my language got cleaner and I even tried to eliminate “substitute” words, though that’s still a work in progress. With my wife, I may use an occasional cuss word to make a point, but I normally don’t cuss and strongly encourage my daughter to not even use substitute words. (The ironic this is, though, that my wife continues to use “jackass” as if it’s a normal word. Perhaps it’s from her Southern culture…)

I think Christians should live to a higher standard because we are children of The King, not because we’re holier-than-thou or better than anyone else. It took me awhile to stop being offended by unbelievers who cuss but I’ve come to that point because they’re acting according to their nature. Christians, on the other hand, have a new nature–the nature of Jesus–living in them. I want to elevate my speech above the common, vulgarities because the Bible says,”…among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” Because of that portion of Scripture, I don’t believe Christians should cuss.

Now, that being said, it’s next to impossible to even circulate among society anymore without hearing cuss words flung all over the place as everyday speech. We’re told our daughter–who is 11–that she is going to hear bad words and she’s welcome to ask us–in private–about any word she hears and/or sees (like on a T-shirt). We’ll tell her what the word means, why it’s vulgar, and admonish her not to use that word. I’m sure, though, that the time is coming when she’s going to test us by saying sh**, f—, or some other obscenity. We’ll have the soap ready…. :^)

BTW, I guess it was the way I was raised or the era in which I grew up but I still find it sickening when a woman of any age cusses. It brings to me the image of excrement coming out of her mouth. Remember, I’m 47 and the American culture was different–and, perhaps cleaner–then.