Vulgarity Part II: What Does the Bible Say?

OK, so I said I would address the issue of vulgar language, and then I got busy. So here is the next word on that topic. Let's start with what should always be our first question:

What does the Bible say?

There is an abundance of verses that apply to good and wicked uses of speech, and often those get applied to include "foul language".

However, I'm more of the opinion that these verses tend to be talking about deceitfulness and gossip and slander. I have often heard such verses used to defend why "bad language" is bad, but it just never really sat well with me.

However, I did feel they needed mention, so here are some verses regarding use of speech in general:

1 Peter 3:10
“For He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.”

Luke 6:45
“The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.”

James 3:9-12
“With [our tongue] we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God;  from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing.  My  brethren, these things ought not to be this way.  Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water?  Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh”

1 Peter 4:11
"If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with all strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen."
 
2 Timothy 2:16
"But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness"


Ephesians 4:29
“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”

In every instance of these verses, and I've heard each one used to explain why cussing is bad, the language used is rather subjective, not clearly defining what constitutes the words we're not to say. What is "bad" is dependent on the individual. And the obvious response is always given: "YOU may think it is bad (obscene, evil, ungodly, corrupt), but that's just your opinion. Me and my generation don't. see it that way"

To which the other party responds in some form, usually with frustration, resigned that this poor heathen youngster is just too worldly and doesn't love God. Typically, both parties walk away with misunderstandings and sad/negative feelings about the other person. One feeling the other is disrespectful or holier-than-thou and judgmental..

Proverbs 21:23
"He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity."

Ephesians 5:4
"Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving."

Colossians 3:8
"But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips."

These verses, I believe, get closer to the point at hand. What is our focus? What is heart of the speaker? Are we having a mature, outward-focused perspective, or a selfish, inward focused view?

I think ultimately, what we will find this comes down to is what Paul writes to the Philippians in chapter 2: "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others."

Next we'll look more in depth at the points of the conversation I had that sparked this topic and hopefully unpack some of the more tangled views and ideas.