Recent research by Dr. Timothy Jay of the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts has found that children absorb a vocabulary of profanity at a very early age, as early as ages one and two. Researchers felt that such assimilation was unavoidable, and that teaching context was important to help children understand what language was appropriate when.

Trained researchers monitored the language usage of children in various situations for one year. While children used foul language less often than adults, 3,190 times in a year for adults to 1,187 for children, boys seemed to use such words more often than girls (Jonathan O’Callaghan, “Children Really DO Pick Up Swear Words Like ‘Vacuum Cleaners’ When They Overhear Them,” The Daily Mail at DailyMail.co.uk, April 23, 2014).

Godly speaking…

The third commandment clearly tells us not to take God’s name in vain. That includes euphemisms (“nice” ways of saying “God” or “Jesus Christ”) and extraneous curses. But how do we deal with foul language that isn’t technically cursing?

The book of Colossians has the best advice, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one,” (Colossians 4:6, NKJV). When we speak, remember that our words are heard by ourselves and others (especially children), but also by God. Choose words that represent a positive image of God’s way of life to others.