Brady Bunch
I grew up in the original series era of the Brady Bunch. In fact, I’m fairly sure I’m the same age as the character “Cindy.” One episode that I remember is Cindy calling her brother Bobby a “stinker.” Of course, Mrs. Brady was quick to point out that they don’t use that kind of language in their house.
I can relate to a lesser degree. In the household I grew up in, I could get away with harsh words like “shoot” and “dang” and the rare “crap,” but not much else. My mother threatened anything else with the applied soap to my mouth a couple of times when I forgot the rules.
I’m pretty sure I’ve already shared a devotion about one of my favorite shows called “Parking Wars.” In one episode, a couple came to Philadelphia so that his wife could get a surgical procedure performed. Somehow after his wife was admitted, their rental car was towed. She rented the car and didn’t list him as a designated driver so the impound place wouldn’t let him retrieve the car. As he was trying to understand this, he kept exclaiming “heavens”. After hearing this a dozen times, the impound supervisor raised her voice and told him that he wasn’t fooling anyone by using the word “heavens” instead of a curse word. Context matters.
I was thinking about this when I got an article by John Piper on Profanity, Crude Joking, and Using the Word “Dang” from www.crossway.org (if you have a few minutes, I’d encourage you to print it and read it for yourself). He listed four general principles to guide you. The first principle is to not misuse weighty words such as God, Jesus Christ, damn and hell. I’m ok with the first two because those were on my “be careful list” while growing up, if I didn’t want to taste Safeguard soap. The last two made me say “ouch” when he explained that by using them in non-serious situations, you contextually diminish the magnitude of the words. If someone pulls in front of you driving and you exclaim “go to hell,” are you really wishing them an eternity in damnation? I’d hope not, so why say it?
“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.” - Exodus 20:7 ESV
The second principle is to not use vulgar words.
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful…” - 1 Corinthians 13:4-5
“Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.” - Ephesians 5:4
The third principle is to speak “thanksgiving,” which is the compliment of the previous one (see previous Ephesians verse). The explanation goes to what you focus on, becomes more important to you. This is a thought that I’ve had for years.
The final principle is to speak “grace.”
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” - Ephesians 4:29
I was going to say we all slip from time to time but the only person I really know that about is me. I know that I can do better (with help from God)!
