Character

char·ac·ter

  [kar-ik-ter] 

noun

1. The aggregate of features and traits that form the individual nature

    of some person or thing;

2. One such feature or trait; characteristic;

3. Moral or ethical quality: a man of fine, honorable character.

4. Qualities of honesty, courage, or the like; integrity

5. Reputation: a stain on one's character.

The quality of a person is his character. What is he made of? What makes him tick? Jesus said that the treasure of a man is what is in his heart and therefore what is in his heart comes out of his mouth accompanied by action or the lack thereof. What comes out of his mouth can create a reputation which can be good or bad.

Have you ever known anyone who every other word is foul language? I had a Lieutenant on my police department who was always saying "f..." this and "f..." that. It was so noticeable that officers would make fun of him even though they themselves swore but not to that extent. It was amazing that when his wife came down to headquarters, you never heard him swear but the minute she left he would start right up again. This obviously tells me that he made a clear choice not to swear. If using swear words is bad then why use them? Why use them at all? Does using these words create better character or gives a person a more prominate position in life?

The Bible has much to say about swearing. It says, "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."