Cussing/Swearing
I was brought up one of those children with a mother that would threaten to wash my mouth out with soap if I did not watch what i say...(I hope my mum does not read this :P)
Growing up with people around you where every other word that proceeds from their mouth is a cuss word, can be difficult for you to watch your own words and sometimes find yourself slipping up. I noticed that some people of the same faith as me would substitute swear words with other words that rhymed or sounded similar but never quite worked because when you're trying to figure out what in the world they are talking about, you make the connection back to its source and then the word is in your head.
In the same way things that we hear around us can effect us, what about when no one is around us and we let one slip? What kind of effect can that have on us?
I don't know if there is quite one successful way to protect yourself from hearing bad language apart from choosing your environment and the people that surround you. I admit i am one of those people that constantly have a pair of headphones plugged in each ear when traveling or waiting around in public places but that in itself can be a danger for more than one reason. As a lover of good music as most people, it can be hard to be selective on the music you listen to especially if the song has a killer bass but the lyrics are boarder line inappropriate. I am just grateful that you can buy clean versions of popular songs nowadays. However Swearing and cussing is just one way words can effect you.
Gossip
We know that bad thoughts can lead to bad action but what when we do not think before we speak? I am so guilty of that. Sometimes we can be too casual with our words, we may wrongly give an opinion of someone or have heard a rumor about someone and then take it and share it as a fact.
How unfair is that? I think i can easily say in one way or another most of us have experienced being on the one end of such misunderstandings or intentionally or unintentionally being the source. This can lead to more gossip more rumors, bad feelings, friendships being broken, all because of a simple misunderstanding or a casual sentence here and there. With such things related to sexual sin and misuse of substances and other such sins there can be harsh consequences and punishments in order for us to learn and change. But what about Gossip, profanity and Blasphemy? Pretty easy to wiggle your way out of right? no physical harm, sometimes no one even knows you've done it and when someone does find out about you gossiping about them, it can be a little bit embarrassing at the time but hopefully you both get over it, no trip to the bishops office... Not So.
In Alma 12:14 it says: For our words will condemn us, yea, all our works will condemn us; we shall not be found spotless; and our thoughts will also condemn us; and in this awful state we shall not dare to look up to our God; and we would fain be glad if we could command the rocks and the mountains to fall upon us to hide us from his presence.
Wow thats a lot of condemning doesn't seem so punish-less after all... there is that saying that when your embarrassed you wish the ground would just swallow you up but here it talks about wanting the mountains to fall upon us. Ouch, that's gotta hurt.
What image are you going for?
Elder Ted E. Brewerton says "Self-control is an effective quality that lifts anyone above the crowd; a memory of a self-controlled person will always be pleasant. We should never lower our dignity by lowering our language."
I feel that learning about this topic was more for me than anyone but i hope it helps make everyone more aware and careful about the things they say because having first hand experienced it, it will bring no good. -Sister Maughan-
I really like this you tube video about this boy who started the No Cussing Club...
