EVER HAD YOUR MOUTH WASHED OUT WITH SOAP FOR USING BAD WORDS?

SWEARING STUDY OR PROFANITY POLL?

The poll questioned 1,001 adults on March 20-22.  Nearly three-quarters of Americans questioned — 74 percent — said they encounter profanity in public frequently or occasionally, according to an Associated Press-Ipsos poll.

Two-thirds said they think people swear more than they did 20 years ago. And as for, well, the gold standard of foul words, a healthy 64 percent said they use the F-word — ranging from several times a day (8 percent) to a few times a year (15 percent).

Younger people admit to using bad language more often than older people; they also encounter it more and are less bothered by it. The AP-Ipsos poll showed that 62 percent of 18 to 34-year-olds acknowledged swearing in conversation at least a few times a week, compared with 39 percent of those 35 and older.

For those who might find the results depressing, there’s possibly a silver lining: Many of those who swear think it’s wrong nonetheless.

photo courtesy images.google.com & text courtesy news.google.com, 03/29/06

⁷People can tame all kinds of animals and birds and reptiles and fish, ⁸but no one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil, full of deadly poison. ⁹Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it breaks out into curses against those who have been made in the image of God. ¹⁰And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! ¹¹Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? ¹²Can you pick olives from a fig tree or figs from a grapevine? No, and you can't draw fresh water from a salty pool.

Sometimes our speech is very pleasing to God and often it is rude and hurtful.  Our mouths really illustrate the conflict that we face.  As Christians, we have a new nature in Christ, but we still struggle with our old sinful nature.  As a result, both good words and bad words come out of our mouths.  The question each of us must face is which words most reflect the true condition of our hearts?  If we allow the Holy Spirit to control us every day, we will speak words that honor and please God.

So, the good news is that God's Spirit can change the "verbally-challenged" if we're "heart-controlled".

• Whenever you shower this week, put a drop of soap on your tongue and pray for God's Spirit to control your heart and mouth.
• Since swearing seems to be such a struggle even for Christians, make this a topic of study and accountability for your youth group or small group.
• Ask a Christian friend to hold you accountable for the words that come out of your mouth.

Daily Devos is published Monday through Friday. Archives can be found at YFC.ORG.  Its purpose is to help you apply truths from God's Word every day.

Our writer, Byron Emmert, has been involved with Youth For Christ for 30 years. He's served as Campus Life Staff, as a writer, and in leadership for the DCLA Conferences. Byron is married to Linda and their family includes two married sons and daughters-in-law, and a daughter in college.  He loves sports, deep dish pizza, and spending time with his family.