I was recently invited to join a Christian writer’s group on Facebook where indie authors (like myself) can barter tasks like editing, proofreading, cover design, formatting, and the like. It’s an interesting concept, and I was happy to accept the offer. This morning, I spent a few minutes scrolling through the posts to see who was offering and/or needing what. Before I got very far, I saw something that hurt my heart so very much that I closed the page and shook my head muttering, “What in the world?”

An author was seeking an editor for her new book, and in her description, she had this: “Just to let you know, my book contains a few curse words, but I don’t take God’s name in vain. Just a couple of ‘f-bombs’ and the word ______.” (left blank by me because I won’t type it). I should let you know this is not the first time I’ve heard such discussion from Christian authors, and it makes me sick.

Many try to justify it by saying it’s only the villain who uses such profanity, and the cursing makes him more realistic. Without it, the story just wouldn’t ring true. Others, such as the one above, seem to have their priorities askew since she was quick to point out she didn’t take the Lord’s name in vain, but in the next phrase she confesses to using the “f-bomb” (I blush even typing that much). What in the world? Am I missing something or are they?

The Bible teaches we are to be sanctified, which means “set apart.” We shouldn’t look, speak, dress, think, or act like the world. God called us to be different, a peculiar people. Our lives are no longer our own; we’ve been bought with a price. Because of our acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ, we have been set apart for the Master’s use, to honor and glorify Him in all we say and do. For the life of me, I cannot fathom how using profanity (whether in oral communication or a written form) can glorify the Lord. So, how is it that Christian authors condone its use?

Here are my thoughts on it. Take it or leave it. If a story cannot ring true without profanity, then it has no business being in the Christian marketplace. There are plenty of books out there using such language. We need books targeted toward those of us who would like to read a compelling story without having to weed through the filthiness of the world. I would think fellow Christians would recognize that need, but many do not. I realize the Bible is full of many who acted contrary to God’s Word. There are stories of loose morals, sex outside of marriage, child sacrifice and much more. But, we must consider the context of these stories and also the fact that, even with the meanest and ugliest of the villains within God’s Word, the Lord never felt it necessary to inspire the writers to use profanity to “bring the characters to life and make them more realistic.”

I believe these Christian authors are crossing a line. In their work, they are proving they are not set apart for the Master’s use. Instead, it seems, they are catering to the world and what it desires and probably—I should add—making a lot more money than I am while doing so. However, I’d rather sell fewer books and know those books are testimonies of what it means to be set apart than to make millions crossing the line into the world’s territory.

I realize this comes across judgmental, and for that I apologize. Honestly, I’m heartbroken and pray for these Christians that God would convict their hearts about these practices. But, I wanted to mention this today as a warning to each of us. God has called us to be set apart, away from the world and the things labeled acceptable within the world. We should live up to a different standard—a much higher standard. We live in the world, but we don’t have to live like the world. We need to make a difference, but we can’t do that if we’re not different ourselves. Let us be aware of the lure to cross the line in matters concerning things God has said are wrong. The Scriptures urge us to put on the mind of Christ, so it stands to reason we should help others do the same. That is not possible if we’re filling their minds with the filth of this world. Brothers and sisters, beware. Keep yourselves set apart from the world and its ways.