On the Sanctity of Speech

Stewarding the Gift of Language in the Secular Age

Jan 16, 2023

“Son, a filthy mouth is highly infectious. So, be careful little ears what you hear, and be careful little mouth what you say.” My Aunt Eva used to tell me that. I know, I know. It sounds antiquated. Well, it is. But an antique endures because it’s well-built. I was reared by my Aunt Eva. She was born in 1897, and grew up, alongside my father and seven siblings, in an era in the rural South that was pretty much stuck in Reconstruction. So, I admit that her wisdom was often dispensed out of a nineteenth-century buck wagon. But it was wisdom nonetheless. I know. The Bible tells me so.

The Sad Story of Shelomith’s Son in Leviticus 24:10-16

One of the cases Moses had to adjudicate in the wilderness was an otherwise common occurrence. Two men get into a fight, undoubtedly a scuffle of fisticuffs. During the fight, one of the men utters a curse using God’s name. The man is notable among the community of Dan, for he is a son of Shelomith. A woman identifies with her husband’s name and tribe, unless, as is the case here, she married a foreigner. The accused’s father was Egyptian. Whether he was the child of a marriage, a liaison outside of marriage, or even an assault is not revealed. The mention of his paternal line seems to carry import for the story but such an assertion can only be supposed. The force of the story is that Moses goes to the Lord for guidance in punishment. The response is one of ultimate severity. The section elevates the subject of speech to the highest concern. Our sin of cursing deserves the highest penalty, and it is still enforced, not by human government, but by God. When Christ died for our sins at Calvary He bore the death penalty sentence for curses, as seen in Leviticus 24:10-16.

10Now an Israelite woman’s son, whose father was an Egyptian, went out among the people of Israel. And the Israelite woman’s son and a man of Israel fought in the camp, 11and the Israelite woman’s son blasphemed the Name, and cursed. Then they brought him to Moses. His mother’s name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan. 12And they put him in custody, till the will of the LORD should be clear to them.

13Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 14“Bring out of the camp the one who cursed, and let all who heard him lay their hands on his head, and let all the congregation stone him. 15And speak to the people of Israel, saying, Whoever curses his God shall bear his sin. 16Whoever blasphemes the name of the LORD shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall stone him. The sojourner as well as the native, when he blasphemes the Name, shall be put to death.

The Levitical penal codes were severe. And that is an understatement. When God dwells with you and governs by His word, a true theocracy, holiness is not an abstract concept. The one holy God does not suffer the rebellious pride of man. Leviticus deals a devastating blow to the sinfulness of fallen Man. At the same time, Leviticus unveils the incomprehensible holiness of the LORD. Sin and holiness bring judgment. We must not seek to whittle off this rough end of the Scriptures. Let it be. Feel the harshness of it. Then, realize that while the Levitical codes ceased when God no longer governed directly, and the Judges and monarchy developed, principles continued. Indeed, English law and much of European law come from Leviticus. So, human government isolated and adapted the enduring principles of the Mosaic law. Theologically, however, the penalty remains in our relation with God. Christ died for the sins of the world, including the divine judgment on curses and every idle word.

The Changeless Truth

The scriptures are unanimous in their condemnation of abusive or ungodly human language. And what do we mean by abusive or ungodly? The extent of variety in the textual examples demands that our description of the sin be correspondingly broad. Ungodly speech includes blasphemous curses against God but also includes gossip. Abusive speech includes railing curses at another human being and “course” joking. Sexually charged language to titillate, words to wound another, demeaning language, and manipulative speech are all equally condemned. Perhaps, there is no greater summary statement in the Bible than the utterance of our Lord,

“But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. (Matthew 12:35-37 NKJV).

A Profane Age

Cultural influencers in the secular age (Taylor, 2007), viz., the postmodern era in the West marked by an increasingly post-Christian worldview, have devalued, denied, or disregarded the biblical teaching on godliness in human speech. Previous cultural norms on “coarse language” have eroded to such a degree that the hillside of philological modesty is stripped bare. The stripped mine of our culture reveals an uprooting that threatens to permanently damage the roots of a flourishing civilization. Roots are poisoned, tall trees topple, the shade is gone, and the unforgiving heat and radioactive rays of an unfiltered sunburn the dying children of once-protected people.

Words can do that? Really?

“Son, a filthy mouth is highly infectious. So, be careful little ears what you hear, and be careful little mouth what you say.”

Here is an example of the corrosive effect of immodesty in speech.

“The Code”

Today, it seems more likely than not that a film from a Western nation (just take the English-speaking nations, for instance) will have “coarse” language (from Paul’s commands, “neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks” in Ephesians 5:4 NKJV). One responds, “So what is ‘coarse language?’” We admit that it is difficult to find unanimity of definitions, and parameters of, e.g., obscene speech, when the cultural standards have dissipated. However, not that long ago we could define “filthiness” with amazing precision. Consider what became known as, “The Code.”

The Television Code (1952-1983) enumerated forbidden content with understanding for both script and scenes. The Code was comprised of a Preamble, and nineteen statutory headings to “best serve the public interest . . .”

“Television and all who participate in it are jointly accountable to the American public for respect for the special needs of children, for community responsibility, for the advancement of education and culture, for the acceptability of the program materials chosen, for decency and decorum in production, and for propriety in advertising. This responsibility cannot be discharged by any given group of programs, but can be discharged only through the highest standards of respect for the American home . . .”[1]

In the fifth edition of the Television Code (1959), under “Advancement of Education and Culture,” the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) affirmed,

“Commercial television provides a valuable means of augmenting the educational and cultural influences of schools, institutions of higher learning, the home, the church, museums, foundations, and other institutions devoted to education and culture.”[2]

The editors of the Code were especially concerned that television content had a responsibility in American life to promote the wholesomeness of speech as a necessary standard. This core value was codified in 4. a.i: “Profanity, obscenity, smut, and vulgarity are forbidden, even when likely to be understood only by part of the audience. From time to time, words which have been acceptable acquire undesirable meanings, and telecasters should be alert to eliminate such words.”[3]

After a series of legal challenges, the Code was eliminated by the NAB in 1983. By then, the action of the NAB merely recognized the increasing rejection of the Code by the courts. Congressional pressure was responsible for the industries’ self-regulation. Ultimately, congressional, judicial, public apathy, and increasingly libertarian interpretations of the United States Constitution removed the demands for the Code.

The case of the NAB Television Code is an example of the relationship between a creed—a compendium of beliefs—and a code—the legislation of those beliefs. When the creed cracks the code crumbles. This equation of faith and life is as undeniable as the sun, and as predictable as the moon and the tides. Thus it happened in twentieth-century America: television content went from reverencing to blaspheming the name of God; from profanity prohibited for fear of undermining the moral foundations of society to vulgarity enshrined as the sign of an enlightened, we would say, indulgent culture. Can such a reversal of moral order be reconciled with the overwhelming biblical injunctions concerning the wicked use of human speech? If the Levitical teaching on blessings and curses is an enduring principle for humankind the answer to the question is tragically self-evident.

We need a bene (good) diction (word) now more than ever—a code, that flows from a creed. We need creed (I believe) and that code (therefore I act) not as much in an industry as we do in our hearts.

Old Testament Statements on Speech

Exodus 20:7

“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

Leviticus 19:12

You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the Lord.

Deuteronomy 5:11

“‘You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

Psalm 19:14

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Proverbs 18:21

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

Proverbs 21:23

Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

Proverbs 15:4

A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

Proverbs 4:23

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

Proverbs 4:24

Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you.

Proverbs 8:13

The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.

Proverbs 13:3

Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

Proverbs 11:13

Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.

Proverbs 14:5

A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies.

Proverbs 15:1

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 6:2

If you are snared in the words of your mouth, caught in the words of your mouth,

Isaiah 6:5

And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

New Testament Statements on Speech

Matthew 5:13

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.

Matthew 5:21-26

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison.

Matthew 5:37

Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.

Matthew 12:34

You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

Matthew 12:36-37

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Matthew 15:11

It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”

Luke 6:45

The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

John 1:1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Romans 3:13-14

“Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”

Romans 12:2

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 12:14

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Ephesians 4:25

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

Ephesians 4:26-27

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.

Ephesians 4:29

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Ephesians 5:3-4

But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

Ephesians 6:17

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Colossians 3:8-10

But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.

Colossians 4:6

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

1 Timothy 6:20

O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,”

2 Timothy 2:16

But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,

James 1:19

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.

James 1:26

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.

James 2:7

Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?

James 3:1-18

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!

James 3:5-6

So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.

James 5:12

But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.

1 Peter 1:15

But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.

1 Peter 3:10

For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.”

James 1:20

For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Jude 1:10

But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively.

[1]         “The Television Code,” National Association of Broadcasters. Washington DC: NAB, fifth edition, 1959 (first edition, 1952), 1. http://www.tv-signoffs.com/1959NABTelevisionCode.pdf(http://www.tv-signoffs.com/1959NABTelevisionCode.pdf) Accessed 18 January 2023.
[2]         Television Code, 2.
[3]         Television Code, 2.