An American website recently reported that the media in the United Kingdom was shocked by singer Adele’s obscene language during her Glastonbury concert. According to the article, the singer of the popular song “Hello” cursed more than thirty times. It was further reported that “the average adult curses once every eight seconds.”

Brothers and sisters, this is one area in which we must strive to be well below average! Is the average adult so poorly educated that he can find no better way to express himself? I am not suggesting that controlling one’s tongue is a simple task; James makes that clear in his epistle. However, he writes, “Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so” (James 3:10).

Paul says, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29). Obviously, this refers to more than just obscene language. This can include gossiping and lying, sinful uses of the tongue that have destroyed many relationships—both in and out of the church—throughout history.

Paul expands on this in Colossians 3:8-10, “But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.”

I will never cease to be amazed at the things I hear and read coming from self-proclaimed religious people. Claiming to be Christians, they will commit the very sin that James condemns in James 3:10! As the salt of the earth and the light of the world, we must be setting a better example for those around us.

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2).