A Profane Society

1. A Profane Society Nearly three-quarters of Americans questioned in a March 2006 Associated Press – Ipsos poll - 74 percent - said they encounter profanity in public frequently or occasionally.

2. 64 % in the AP poll said they use what is considered the most profane of words. Ranging from several times a day (8 %) to a few times a year (15 %). 75% of men say they encounter swearing regularly. 60% of women say they encounter swearing regularly. 74% of women are bothered by swearing. 60% of men are bothered by swearing. 54% of men admit to swearing at least a few times each week. A Profane Society

3. 39% of women admit to swearing at least a few times each week 62% of 18-34 year olds admit to swearing in conversation at least a few times a week, compared to 39% of those 35 and older. The AP poll questioned 1001 people on March 20-22, 2006, with a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3 %. A Profane Society

4. God Disapproves of Profanity • God demands self-discipline • Prov. 4:23; Matt. 12:34-37; 1 Cor. 9:27

5. Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. The scriptures clearly show that the root of profane speech is the heart of man.

6. Matthew 12:34-37 Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. 36But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.

7. 1 Corinthians 9:27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. Self-Discipline is of the utmost importance in living the Christian life.

8. God Disapproves of Profanity • God demands self-discipline • Prov. 4:23; Matt. 12:34-37; 1 Cor. 9:27 • Emulate the example of Christ • 1 Pet. 2:21-23; 1 Cor. 11:1

9. 1 Peter 2:21-23 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22"Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth"; 23who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.

10. 1 Corinthians 11:1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. This point settles the question of profanity for all who are honest. No just man would ever assert that our Lord would use profane language. Then, it is inappropriate for his disciples as well.

11. God Disapproves of Profanity • God demands self-discipline • Prov. 4:23; Matt. 12:34-37; 1 Cor. 9:27 • Emulate the example of Christ • 1 Pet. 2:21-23; 1 Cor. 11:1 • Profanity in Speech mirrors that in Life (Esau VS Moses) • Heb. 12:14-16; Heb. 11:24-26

12. Hebrews 12:14-16 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; 16lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. Profane: Inferior, yet instant gratification

13. Hebrews 11:24-26 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. Proper Perspective? Look “Long Term” How does your languageconvey your perspective?

14. God Disapproves of Profanity • God demands self-discipline • Prov. 4:23; Matt. 12:34-37; 1 Cor. 9:27 • Emulate the example of Christ • 1 Pet. 2:21-23; 1 Cor. 11:1 • Profanity in Speech mirrors that in Life (Esau VS Moses) • Heb. 12:14-16; Heb. 11:24-26 • Can you bridle your tongue? • James 3:2-10

15. James 3:2-10 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. 3Indeed,we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!…

16. James 3:2-10, cont. …And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. 7For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.

17. Conclusion Some are calling this decade the “Age of Profanity.” As Christians, we should stand out from the world as examples of purity in speech. “I said, ‘I will guard my ways, Lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle, While the wicked are before me’” (Psalms 39:1).