Profanity in Christians

The behavior of Christians using profanity is something that I've been struggling to understand ever since reading about the "cussing pastor" in Blue Like Jass by Donald Miller. It has resurfaced in my mind in the last few months. The struggle for me is understanding how Christians can think that this is ok. Now, I know there are people who struggle with this and I understand that they are a work in progress just like me. However, what I don't understand is the acceptance and casualness that some Christians have about using profanity.

I was on Plugged In Online this past week and found the following. I thought is was pretty insightful and just thought I'd share. http://www.pluggedinonline.com/aboutUs/"The Bible has much to say about “taming the tongue,” starting with James 3. But let's start with the fact that obscene language is inherently symptomatic of a bigger problem. It’s a heart issue (Matt. 12:33-37). God cares about what comes out of our mouths because He created us in His image. He is holy and our love for our Creator shines brightest when we honor Him with every aspect of our lives. That includes our thoughts, actions, attitudes and speech. After explaining how we are His “sons and daughters,” God tells us in 2 Corinthians 7:1 to purify ourselves “from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” In other words we abstain from using obscenities and profanities not just because it “contaminates,” but because it grieves God. Colossians 3:8 specifically addresses vulgar speech (“But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander and filthy language from your lips”). Also, we grieve the Holy Spirit when we violate Ephesians 4:29 and 5:4 which plainly teach, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths“ and “Among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality or of any kind of impurity.” The Apostle Paul proceeds to list a few things that qualify, including “obscenity, foolish talk [and] coarse joking.” The application to entertainment should be obvious. If we’re listening to music slapped with a parental advisory sticker or watching movies that gush profanity, those words become part of our mental vocabulary."