I remember the first time I cussed in front of my Mom. My Aunt was visiting at our house and I repeated a humorous story I had heard, using the world ‘Damned’. The room got deathly still. My Aunt’s mouth dropped open. My Mom shouted my entire name (including the never-mentioned middle name)! My brother laughed out loud (probably from his excitement at the impending doom about to fall). The color drained from my face and my brain froze. Can I take it back? Can I say, “I meant to say…?” Nope. I was caught red-handed (or red-faced). There was no way out.

I got up, walked outside, got on my bike and disappeared for the rest of the day. I’m sure my Mom said behind my back, “You just wait til your father gets home!” I’m sure she was completely humiliated to have her god-fearing sister hear how I talked in front of my Mom.

Ever stuck your foot in your mouth before? Sometimes a kid tries to act like an adult before you’re ready. That was me. I had to learn the hard way. That incident put a real caution in my brain. Mom’s never heard me swear since then. We should all be very cautious with our words.

“But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken” (Matthew 12:36).