Is it wrong for Christian’s to Cuss?
In the past few years I’ve noticed that some of my Christian friends are more comfortable using ‘cuss words. If questioned about this some have said that using cuss words is not really a concern for God and not really a bad example for others. In fact I have heard it is said by some Christians that this is a way of letting the world know that we don’t consider ourselves, “Holier than thou.” I am a thinker and so I began to examine this thinking in my own heart and started to research these assertions.
Let’s begin by examining the definition of the word cuss.
Cuss: Curse
Curse:
1. calling on God or the gods to bring evil on some person or thing
2. a profane or obscene oath
3. Evil or injury that seems to come in answer to a curse
Cursing:
1. To call evil down on
2. To swear at; blaspheme –be cursed with, to suffer from
Now let’s look at the word of God which I consider my final authority as a Christian.
Exodus 20:7
King James Version (KJV)
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.
Psalms 34:13 KJV
13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
Matthew 15:10-11
King James Version (KJV)
10 And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:
11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
Ephesians 4:29-32 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.
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
Philippians 4:8 KJV
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Colossians 3:8
King James Version (KJV)
8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
James 3:3-13 KJV
3 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.
11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
Now after examining the final authority in our Christian walk let me conclude that it is extremely important that every Christian seek God’s help to overcome the habit of using curse words. As I came out of the sin in my past this was a challenge for me but not really a difficult one. I had the benefit of being raised by a mother who almost never used a curse word in my presence and the 2-3 times she did they were minor and she immediately acknowledged it was wrong.
I’ve been close to other Christians who did love the Lord but really had a difficult time overcoming the tendency to use curse words. These people were either raised in an environment that used curse words daily or they were involved with people from their work or hobbies who thought nothing of using curse words.
By instructing us not to curse God is not in any way being high or mighty, he is trying to spare us the pain of sowing curses upon ourselves, our possessions or others with the power of our words. Words are seeds for power:
Proverbs 18:21
King James Version (KJV)
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
When God gives us an instruction it is always to protect us. God’s love for us is beyond our ability to comprehend. Remember if God said it, (for your own good) DO IT!
Pastor Anita Ayers
I don’t feel the need to use foul language to fit in. Either accept me or don’t. I am only a temporary resident here on this earth my home is in heaven. I am more concerned with pleaseing God over any person. I’m proud to be me and not to have to take on the worlds ways to be accepted.
Be not conformed but be transformed by the renewing our your mind.
Psalm 109:16-18
King James Version (KJV)
16 Because that he remembered not to shew mercy, but persecuted the poor and needy man, that he might even slay the broken in heart.
17 As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him.
18 As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment, so let it come into his bowels like water, and like oil into his bones.
This is in response to those who are afraid of seeming “holier than thou.” In my second marriage, my husband told me most of his family thought I acted holier than thou because I wouldn’t let my kids be in the room where my brother-in-law was watching x-rated movies along with not celebrating halloween and other things I would forbid my kids to do and wouldn’t do myself. At the time, he said it like it was an insult and I took it that way. It hurt my feelings, but it didn’t change how I lived. And these were church going folks; in fact, my husband was a minister! Now I look back and think about it: Doesn’t God call us in His word to be holy? So if I am holier than thou, should I lower myself from God’s command (not me!) or shouldn’t others strive to holiness?