A well known TV personality who apparently is also active in the stand up comedy circuit, was invited to come and perform recently by a New Jersey Catholic University. It appears he signed a contract agreeing not to include vulgarity and sexual content in his routine. When he didn’t hold up to his end of the agreement, the school demanded a public apology. Up to now, they have not gotten the apology. What they did get from him was a statement in his Twitter account saying: “I’m sorry your university doesn’t believe in freedom of speech.” I suppose you all have your own thoughts and opinions about this matter, as do I. I realize this type of product sells very well in todays society, yet I personally cannot understand why today’s comedians feel compelled to flood their routines with profanity and vulgar content. In my life, I have known, and I still know some, people who can keep you laughing for hours without having to resort to these things. Even I can do the same, especially around those who love corny jokes or will laugh at almost anything. My own sons have referred to me as “pop Corn” or “Captain Corn.” The university deeply regrets this fiasco but the problem began with them. Let me put it this way: You can’t invite snakes to your house and ask them not to slither. Nevertheless, before we stray too far, lets put our opinions regarding this matter aside, and lets consider what God has to say about it. This is what matters most anyway. To begin with, anyone who has ever had a genuine encounter with Christ, is a dramatically different person than before. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” People whose lives have been divinely transformed, think, act, and speak differently than before. Perhaps my theology is amiss once more but I take Mark 16:17 as a reminder that new creations in Christ don't speak like they used to. In other words, profanity and vulgar speech are no longer a part of their conversations. Oh, yes, the verse reads: “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues.” Some may be quick to point out that this verse is referring to known languages. That may be true; but this is also true. Before Christ, the speech of many of us was regularly laced with profanity. Do we speak like that today? No, we speak differently now because of the One who lives inside of us.

God’s word for today Colossians 4:6) “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”