The Pharisees were always trying to trap Jesus. First they complain that the disciples picked grain to eat on the Sabbath; then that they didn't wash their hands before eating. They complained that he cured people on the Sabbath. They were so angry, that they eventually conspired to kill him.
This passage refers to the Jewish dietary rules. In Acts, Peter is eating at the home of Cornelius and is afraid that he can't eat what was going to be served when he sees a vision of "unclean" animals and hear the voice of Jesus repeating a similar phrase which claims, "What God has made clean, you are not to call profane."
Food then, is not unclean or profane. However, swears, curses, blasphemy, foul language, insults, name calling, and lies are profane and defile the person.
Why do we use these words so lightly? We don't even think about them. We often don't realize the affect they have on others.
We know that lying is a sin, but often excuse ourselves. The rest! We use these words and phrases and hear them used so often, that many people don't even hear them anymore.
Don't we realize that violence starts with the mouth? When we are called names, whether they are racial or ethnic slurs or garden-variety profanity, we have a visceral reaction to retaliate. It is often difficult to keep control of ourselves and not to respond in kind.
Some people who have developed some of these bad habits, try to get rid of them by making a swear jar and putting a certain amount of money into the jar every time they catch themselves doing it. We can also ask God for help, and saying a prayer every time we slip. Whatever works
