Christian Cussing

Christian Cussing

"What Does The Bible Says About "Swearing, Dirty Words and By-Words”

What someone said: What exactly is so bad about so-called "profanity?" My parents won't let me watch movies with "bad" language. I think their ideas are silly and old-fashioned. What they call "swearing" is just a part of life. My friends at school use four-letter words all the time and it doesn't bother me a bit. Those words can't hurt anybody, and they're nothing but old Anglo Saxon terms for normal bodily functions. They're only "dirty" because some people think they're "dirty." Besides, the Bible doesn't have anything to say against them. Yes, I know it tells us not to take God's name in vain, but that's a whole different issue. Don't you agree?

Response: Let's see what the Apostle Paul had to say about the language Christians should use:

(Ephesians 4:29) (KJV)

29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

(Ephesians 4:29) (NIV)

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen"

(Ephesians 5:3-4) (KJV)

3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

(Ephesians 5:3, 4) (NIV) "But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving"

While it can be interesting to trace the history of certain words in order to find out why they're now regarded as profanity, this information has nothing to do with the way people use such words in modern times. As Christians, we should consider how these words are perceived in our culture today. If we think about it that way, we'll realize that profanity is always negative and hurtful.

For example, what do people really mean when they use the "f-word"? What is it intended to communicate? How does it feel when someone says it to you? Is there any way to use the "f-word" to build others up? Does it ever benefit those who hear it? Of course not! In fact, it amounts to verbal abuse, and Jesus had some important things to say about the seriousness of that issue (see Matthew 5:22).

Matthew 5:22 (KJV) 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

(Matthew 5:22) (NIV)

22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother b will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca, c' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.

So we know the regular curse words. But what about the slang words that we replace the cuss words with?

Words such as Gosh! Golly! Gee! Darn, Heck and all of the other words that we use in place of the cuss words. So the question is: Are these words really Swearing? and What is the Difference in these words and Swearing?

Definition: Swear means to invoke the name of a sacred being in an oath; or to use a profane language

Definition: Invoke means to call upon

Definition: Sacred means holy; entitled to reverence, honor or respect

Oath: Irreverent or careless use of a sacred name

Profane: to debase or defile what is holy; or to treat unworthily

So with these definitions in mind let’s look at “Swearing” really is:

Swearing would then be to use any language in which the name of God would be used carelessly! Now would you agree with that statement?

Exodus 20:7 says:

7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

Taking the name of God in vain simply means to use it “LIGHT HEARTEDLY or THOUGHTLESSLY” Webster’s Definition says it gives it no real value…

Most reasonable people would never use the terminology such as “GD.” They know that that would definitely be taking the name of the Lord in vain. Most people would use words like GEE, GOSH, or GOLLY. Did you know that all of these words are a euphemism for God?