A buildup of harmful bacteria in the mouth can lead to a severe type of gingivitis known as “trench mouth.”

It got its name from WWI when soldiers “in the trenches” were not able to get adequate dental care.

There seems to be a new strain of this malady of late as heard on social media.

The more putrid the language, the more a protester feels weaponized.

This sickness is the result of hatred in the hearts of a frustrated generation screaming for Utopia.

The new trench mouth is far more severe than its predecessor, “potty mouth.”

When I was a boy my mother detected that I had a case of potty mouth when she heard me call one of my playmates a “butt.”

She quickly applied the remedy for potty mouth--a soapy dish-rag to my tongue.

It was quite effective.

But those with the new trench mouth can spew forth a vile string of expletives never before permitted on the airwaves.

Our culture refers to one such expletive as the “f-bomb.”

But due to its extreme over-use, the f-bomb no longer has an explosion.

The offensive damage it was intended to inflict has now back-fired on the offender.

Even with the added modifier “mother” the damage report only reveals the depraved heart of the ordinance-launcher.

What comes out of a person’s mouth reveals what is in their heart.

Jesus said in Matthew 15:18, “But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.”

Trench mouth is highly contagious.

It can be transmitted from the mouth of the infected to all those within earshot.

Sadly, little ears can pick up trench mouth very easily, especially when it comes from a parent.

And there is not a soapy dish-rag big enough to take care of this problem.

But there is a cure: “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!”

If the heart is made clean, the proof will be in the mouth.

Next week: What is your best advice?

Dan Williams is the senior adult pastor at Lexington Baptist Church.