When I was in eighth grade, I was sent to the principal's office for uttering a profane word in band class when I dropped my flute.
Apologies, Mom and Dad, for never telling you about this. I think I'm still alive today, because I was able to keep this from you all. 🙂
When the principal asked me to explain myself, I told him, “I didn't mean to say it.”
I begged him profusely not to call my parents. I knew I'd get into so much trouble for using profanity.
He agreed not to call my parents, but he made me write “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks,” 200 times, and I was instructed to turn the sentences in the next day.
From that day, I never forget that sentence. It stuck with me, even though I wasn't totally sure what it meant.
After I gave my life to Christ in 1994, I came across the sentence in the Bible. I had no idea back in eighth grade that my principal had made me write a Bible verse!!! I thought to myself, “How cool. That dude dropped a seed on me that's finally blossoming.” You may not think it's cool, because of the whole separation of church and state, but I did. Let's not get into a debate about that.
Anyway…
I just saw an article on Yahoo! about a radio show host who has been suspended for calling someone out of her name.
Of course, like all the other people, he apologized and said how wrong he was and that he'd never do it again, but I'm wondering at what point these people's careers should be completely over in radio and television if they can't keep a civil tongue.
I interpret “out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks” to mean whatever's in you will come out of you. These folks aren't just speaking off the cuff. They're not just slipping and using these derogatory and profane words and phrases out of the blue.
Their intention may have been to NOT allow the “general public” to know what's really on their hearts, but darkness always comes to light. We've seen it time and time again.
What do you think? Should these folks be excluded from the radio and/or television industries once they've proven they're unable to control their emotions and their mouths?
