I heard this quote the other day, "as goes the home so does the nation." It went on to say that we wonder what is wrong with our world - let's look in the homes. You know I get on this rant at times but I am baffled at the parents who allow their kids, teenagers or grown children to use bad language in front of them. What happened to being respectful? When we allow disrespect in our homes, where we can set the rules, no wonder we hear it when we go out. Psalm 141: 3, "Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips."
In Ephesians 4: 29, the apostle Paul says, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." He was talking to Christians. Verse 4, "Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving." In the previous verse he says because "these are improper for God’s holy people."
James 1: 26, "Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless." Almost a whole chapter in James is dedicated to the power of the tongue to do good and bad. None of us are perfect and never will be but we can strive to do better and be a good example. We use our tongue to praise God so we cannot curse with it also. James 3: 11, "Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?" Not only is this dishonorable to the Lord but if we praise God one moment and keep cursing, our witness is weak.