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?
GEE – is a form of Jesus
GOSH and GOLLY - are substitute words for God
Other words that most Christians use in place of cursing are words like “Darn or Darned!” These words are a simple substitute for the “D” words. The word “Damned” can also be used as a curse word if it is not used in respect to the devil never having a chance to be saved.
So with this in mind… “Gosh-Darn-It” is the same as saying “GD” because it is simply a substitute for it.
The word “HECK” is a replacement for the word “HELL!” Although this word is mentioned in the Bible several times, it too depends on how the word is used in a sentence.
To use these words and others like them are very contrary to what the scripture says:
Look at what Jesus said in (Matthew 5:25-37) (KJV)
34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:
35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
(Matthew 5:34-37) (NIV)
34 But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne;
35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.
36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black.
37 Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
How many of us use idle words like this and never think twice about it? If you were too record yourself for a single 24 hour period. How many times would you hear yourself using these words and other replacement words as well?
I believe it would shock us to our core to really hear our conversations with people not realizing the real terminology that we use. Yet we have the excuse: “Well I really didn’t mean anything by it or it just slipped out!”
It really doesn’t matter what you meant by it or if it just slipped out! What matters is what it really means and what you are really saying!
(Matthew 12:31-37) (KJV)
31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.
34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
(Matthew 12:31-37) (NIV)
31 And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.
32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.
33 "Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.
34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
35 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.
36 But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.
37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."
Now let’s see what the book of (James) has to say about this subject:
(James 1:22-26) (KJV)
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain
(James 1:22-26) (NIV)
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror
24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it — he will be blessed in what he does.
26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.
(James 3:1-10) (KJV)
1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
(James 3:1-10) (NIV)
1 Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.
3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.
4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.
5 Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.
6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man,
8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness.
10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.
Now what I am about to say is probably going to hit every one of us square between the eyes. But it is something that has to be said, because it goes right along with what I am teaching.
Are you ready for this?
We as Apostolic’s sometime feel justified to spell a curse word instead of saying it. Well, in the eyes of God there is no difference! How can that be? I’m glad you ask!
When your conversation leads you to a place that you feel justified to spell a curse word, your conversation is headed in the wrong direction. Well, I didn’t say the word… great maybe you didn’t!
But the desire to say the word was in your heart before the word ever came to your mind to spell.
Otherwise you would never have thought about it to say it… Another phrase that I have heard used pretty regular is… This just makes me want to cuss! You may as well curse because the desire is already in your heart and you have already been charged with that sin.
I have already given you the scripture… but lets read it again…
(Matthew 12:34) (KJV)
34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
(Matthew 12:34) (NIV)
34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
We are known by our conversation. We are to be chaste in conversation so those that would not hear the word my still be won by our conversation.
(1 Peter 3:1-2) (KJV)
1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
Don’t get excited yet men… this is not just telling wives to be chaste in their conversation with their husbands who are lost. In reality it is a direct command given to all of us to use words wisely, so that we can win people who would never otherwise hear the truth. If your conversations are chaste, and you don’t gossip, backbite, run people down, curse or use slang words or by-words. Then they will know that what you propagate about being a Christian is real.
So… we really need to be very careful about words that we use! We need to “clean up” our talk so that we can “walk the walk” that we preach to others.
We all know that there are more words than just those that I have mentioned tonight. What I have been talking about is the use of any descriptive word(s) that may be used to describe how we may feel about someone that is not “uplifting or holy.”
Listen to just one more set of scriptures and I’m done.
(Psalms 19:7-14) (KJV)
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
That is exactly why that we must be “pure and holy before God” and keep ourselves separated from the world. If we ever intend to be saved because it will be a very fine line between those who hear Him say “WELL DONE AND ENTER IN” and those who will hear “DEPART FROM ME YE WORKER OF INQUINITY I NEVER KNEW YOU!”
Let’s pray!
