Linguistic laziness? Or something more?

Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.  –Proverbs 4:24 (NIV)
 
Communication methods are constantly evolving – it seems we find new and innovative ways of exchanging information every few weeks. Yet the quality of communication seems to be on the decline. Topics and language that once made us blush are now commonplace. I don’t think I’m a prude, but I miss polite conversation. My grandmother used to tell me that people use foul language because their vocabularies aren’t well-developed enough to articulate their thoughts and feelings with regular words.
 
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.  –Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
 
I’m not shocked by what I hear anymore, and I would generally see more value in understanding someone’s viewpoint than in trying to moderate their method of expressing it. That said, I find this an area where I must guard my own heart. If I do not pay attention, I find the threshold of what I will tolerate becoming lower. Inevitably, what I consume becomes part of my thought patterns, and can eventually work its way into my speech, even if it’s just the under-my-breath speech that pops out when I’m by myself.
 
A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.  –Luke 6:45 (NIV)
 
It’s tempting to shrug this off as no big deal. I mean, come on – with abortion, gender bending, human trafficking and corrupt politicians grabbing the headlines, are we really going to make an issue of a couple dirty words? Don’t we have bigger fish to fry? Well maybe, but hear me out.
 
But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.  –Matthew 12:36 (NIV)
 
I believe our vulnerability to adapt to and embrace crude and blasphemous language exposes a root that is common wherever we find sin. What starts as linguistic laziness becomes habit. The habit becomes the way I regularly choose to express myself. My need to express myself in whatever way I wish becomes more important than your sensibilities, and certainly takes precedence over some societally-imposed idea of propriety.
 
But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.  –James 3:8-10 (NIV)
 
It’s a self-centered view of the world that ultimately attempts to justify doing whatever I want in order to get whatever I want, dropping any semblance of self-control or consideration of others. Taken to the extreme, other people become the means to my ends, or obstacles to be overcome. If you think that’s an exaggeration, check that list of headline grabbers again.
 
May the words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.  –Psalm 19:14 (NIV)
 
So is cussing a “gateway drug” to bigger, badder sins? I dunno, but Scripture seems to have a fair amount to say about how we use our words. Here’s what I do know: It’s a big, bad world out there with a lot of broken stuff going on. If I expect to have a positive impact on it, maybe I should start with what the Holy Spirit wants to do in me. A man who can be consistently counted on to communicate a coherent thought without resorting to foul or abusive language – that guy is going to stand out in most crowds.