Christians and Cussing

[GaryA]

A lot of times people will think Christians are hypocrites if they act like the world.

In a very real sense - if we ( Christians ) [ deliberately ] act like the world, we are being hypocrites...

( Considering what we are professing ourselves to be. )

 

[Galatea]

In a very real sense - if we ( Christians ) [ deliberately ] act like the world, we are being hypocrites...

( Considering what we are professing ourselves to be. )

Yes, if we are cussing to fit in, that would make us hypocrites. I did not think about it, that way.

 

[Desertsrose]

With the matter of cussing or offensive language, Romans ch. 14 is a good chapter that I govern myself with. So, if a Christian finds my usage of the H word or D word offensive, or anything that they deem offensive for that matter, then I won't do it or say it around him/her.

Another thought:
since it's more commonplace to cuss today, do you find that you make people in the world uncomfortable since you don't cuss? When does 'be in the world but not of the world' and 'become all things to all men so that you can win some' fit in this matter? And what is going too far? In my opinion and experience, not having a little 'culturally coarse' language actually works against my witness in certain secular arenas because I'm not bonding with them where they are at, if that makes sense. I think people have a really bad view of Christianity and Christians for a lot of the wrong reasons. They don't want to hear what you have to say about your faith or know how you live until you can relate to them on some level and show that you're human.

Hi likeminded,

I've never felt the need to use foul language among the lost. I want to stick out like a sore thumb in a good way and it's because I want them to see Jesus in me and His love. I won't be shocked at their words if I'm engaging them in conversation because it's who they are and what they do.

Why would the world be uncomfortable is you don't use their language? I don't really think that they care. My family are not believers and use all sorts of bad language, but I don't. They don't seem uncomfortable at all.

And how far will you go with that? Let's say they might feel uncomfortable if you don't go drinking with them, carouse with them, smoke with them, have sex with them and the list could go on and on.

We're not here to make them feel good about themselves. We're here to bring the love of God to them through the preaching of the gospel. So should we sprinkle in a few cuss words here and there to make the gospel more palatable?

If we do that, we remove the power of the gospel message. All the power that's needed to change a life is contained within the gospel. It's the power of salvation to all who would believe.

Peter tells us to keep our conduct excellent among unbelievers. That has the power to draw men to Christ.

1 Peter 2:12
Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.

 

[Desertsrose]

Also,

Ephesians 5:3-5
But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

 

[Depleted]

I think that saying that the words are in the bible is a childish excuse. Everyone knows what context is.
The word whore is the bible as well ... doesn't mean it's OK to call someone one

I do sometimes curse, doesn't mean I think it's a good / ok think though.
...and if I hear someone curse a lot (like in half their sentences), I am incapable of taking them seriously.
We are (hopefully) reasonably smart creatures after all, we should be able to use proper words to explain our feelings without resorting to profanity

Who is calling someone hell? Or damn? Or any of the other words?

It is either a class thing or a pride thing. When I use a word, I use it properly in a sentence. I just think this sound silly.

[video]https://www.ispot.tv/ad/A1Zj/cats-pride-fresh-and-light-ultimate-litter-feat-katherine-heigl[/video]
(An alternative word was used in place of one I would have used, so no "cursing.")

 

[Depleted]

I disagree with the idea that not cursing damages your witness. We are to be a peculiar people- set apart. The world does not want "more of the same". They want something different.

You can be all things to all people without cussing. We're all human and have human problems, desires, and needs.

This wasn't mentioned, yet, but cursing is unladylike and ungentlemanly. It is coarse. Who wants to be coarse? Being refined should be the goal of everyone, especially in this coarse society.

James 3 talks about how powerful our words are. James 3:6-11 "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."

"But the tongue can no man tame: it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God."

"Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things out not to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?"

I try not to curse, but slip every so often. I am going to try better in the future, to be a good witness and a lady.

I'm no lady because I have no problems being coarse. Honestly? Of all the things God wants to change about me, refined isn't one of them.

He has dealt with me about gossiping, honesty, and trusting him. He's working on me because I really do curse, (as in take God's name in vain.) He's dealing with my procrastination streak. He's dealing with me on trusting him even more. He's dealing with me on not flying off the handle easily, and loving people better. This is so much bigger to me then if I sound like I would fit in at a charity ball.

And, it probably doesn't help that the upper-crust side of my family sounded like truck drivers, but did go to charity balls, but honestly? Just not into refined. I can pull it off, if I need to. Just don't usually need to. Whew!

 

[3putter]

While Hell and damned are found in Scripture, they are a place and a state of spiritual existence, not words used to emphasise a certain statement or emotion. Foul language is distasteful in my opinion.

 

[Meggido]

This is something that I have been thinking about for a while now and I wanted to get other Christian's perspectives.

First off, I didn't use to use ANY offensive language at all. But now occasionally I'll say like the "H" word or "D" word (rhymes with ham) and lesser offensive words. I still do not and can not use really profane language (I'm sure you know what they are)...I personally don't think they need to be said, and feel that a lot of people in the world say it for emphasis, shock value or its just culturally acceptable. I think people can try to come up with other more intelligible words to use for emphasis if they need to, that's just my opinion.

I'm bringing this up because its something I've noticed that's becoming a norm amongst Christians and in the secular world, like i.e. the work place.

What are your views on this? Do you feel pressure to cuss at your workplace like everyone else? Do you feel pressure to cuss a little bit if other Christian's are? Is it ok, right, wrong to use the lesser offensive words?

Let me know your thoughts. Please lets have a civil discussion and no arguing. I really want to get you alls perspectives.

Ephesians 4.25-32:
[SUP]25 [/SUP]Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. [SUP]26 [/SUP]Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, [SUP]27 [/SUP]and do not give the devil an opportunity. [SUP]28 [/SUP]He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need. [SUP]29 [/SUP]Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. [SUP]30 [/SUP]Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. [SUP]31 [/SUP]Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. [SUP]32 [/SUP]Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

 

[followjesus]

While Hell and damned are found in Scripture, they are a place and a state of spiritual existence, not words used to emphasise a certain statement or emotion. Foul language is distasteful in my opinion.

so is "ass" in the kjv, and again it has a proper context, the issue is we humans defile things and use them for curses and expression of very bad moments, bad feelings, anger, name calling, confrontations ect. i like the post God bless you.

 

[Meggido]

so is "ass" in the kjv, and again it has a proper context, the issue is we humans defile things and use them for curses and expression of very bad moments, bad feelings, anger, name calling, confrontations ect. i like the post God bless you.

What proper context for ass are you reaching for, a donkey or something else?

 

[Meggido]

As much as I am going to get flaming arrows shot at me for saying this I am going to say this.

Why are we even having a discussion on if it is OK for a son or daughter of God to use profanity?!?!?!


Let me say this loud and clear for some people.

CHRISTIAN CHARACTER STILL MATTERS!

If you are a self professed blood bought, spirit filled son or daughter of God you should not be using profanity. The times you slip up and one comes out should even be rare, because your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.

2 Cor 13.5 says:
[SUP]5 [/SUP]Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?

Really peeps, Jesus said his yoke is easy and his burden is light.

 

[Yahweh_is_gracious]

I was told that "profanity is the verbal crutch of inarticulate MF'ers". I try to keep that in mind. I know how to swear, and I have sworn a lot in the past, but I don't like to, and realize it makes me sound like white trash. I should be able to communicate what I need to without "colorful metaphors". If I cannot, I should remain silent.

...in actuality I should remain silent at all times, but that's not prudent at this point in my life.

 

[followjesus]

What proper context for ass are you reaching for, a donkey or something else?

yeah exactly, and im not sure im " reaching" i was simply saying that Just because a word is in the bible, doesnt make it okay to use it as a swear or curse, or in disgust or as a name call or attack or such.

Kind of Like When people are mad and use the name Jesus Christ, to espress thier displeasure, or dicgust or shock. and yeah the context would be the donkey, but hionestly, i think i dont know anyone who calls a donkey an ass anymore, a jackass some of my older reletives used to call them, but not as calling someone else a jackess or anything. im saying words Like "Hell" and its context would be how we are using it. if were talking about a biblical element i think it would be acceptable, if were telling someone " go to hell" oir getthe hell out of Here" ect then its us using it wrong.


...i honestly thought that comment was reletively self explanitory

 

[like-minded66]

Thanks everybody for your responses. I've been really busy with work but I'll chime back in when I get more time soon.

 

[Hyvent]

I just finished discussing this with a friend of mine and I asked him if he's ever used the word, "fanny". Of course, he admitted to doing so and I asked him if he felt that was wrong. He replied, "no", and I asked him why. His response was, "it's just a word describing--depending on it's use--a butt". I told him that in Britain (I think, don't quote me) that is an offensive word. So my question is, do you think my friend sinned?

If you say yes, then you're saying that words are objectively wrong because they would be binding to everyone, regardless to what we believe. But I am willing to bet my entire check that you don't feel like that is an offensive word and thus, you feel free to use it. I'm equally willing to bet that you don't think you're sinning by saying it but everything changes when it comes to words we Westerners find offensive. So are words objectively wrong? Or are there cultural differences that void their use as wrong?

 

[JoDel]

I use to have a foul mouth...especially when angry. I grew up around it and have always been exposed to cussing. When I became a Christian, one in my heart not just by claim, I began receiving conviction from the Lord. As the convictions came, I realized I was offending Him and that helped tremendously to cause me to think twice before speaking a "word". The greater thing that came from it was the people who knew me (and my mouth) noticed the change and when around me, would "excuse" themselves if they cussed and apologize to me, which made me very uncomfortable. I appreciated the new found respect, but it wasn't mine to own. So, I began telling people who would apologize that it wasn't me they were offending... it was God. I told them they were free to speak however they wanted around me. Whether it was my imagination or I just began paying closer attention, after having explained the offense was to God, there was even less. ~ I still slip occasionally, and if anyone is around to hear it, I get "THE" look.~ I like that they expect better from me...because of God.

 

[seed_time_harvest]

GOD looks at the heart but nevertheless JESUS gave us two commandments,love GOD and love your neighbor,If cussing offends your neighbor,you shouldn't cuss.

 

[like-minded66]

I think the idea is to make people uncomfortable. People complacent in their sins will never be saved. If someone feels uncomfortable around you because they sense you are different, and they don't know why- and they wish they had this difference, then this person is open to the gospel. A lot of times people will think Christians are hypocrites if they act like the world. Paul never made anyone feel comfortable- that's why everywhere he preached a group wanted to kill him.

I agree with you to an extent. I think the broader goal is to be led by the Spirit (guided by and walking in wisdom that comes from a above) which makes people uncomfortable more times than not. At times we're led to give a word to a weary soul which makes them anything but uncomfortable. There's a time and a place and the Spirit knows best.

I personally don't think there's a cut and dry right or wrong answer. Life will always be case by case, day by day. Yes we have fundamentals that are our bedrock and they should never change, but as Jesus said in John 3:8 we're like the wind and the Spirit carries us and guides us as such. So given the person, the scenario, the background etc.- the Spirit knows what the person needs when they need it. Our duty is to be that willing vessel, whether they want to kill us after we speak or fall into our arms thanking us with tears.

 

[breno785au]

I see some people replace swear words with other words like flippin' to replace the f word. I say, you may as well say the f word because I think it's spirit of it at the end of the day.

I have to be under a lot of pressure for me to let out an explicitive under my breath, I feel bad when I do and I'm working on that.

 

[Ugly]

I see some people replace swear words with other words like flippin' to replace the f word. I say, you may as well say the f word because I think it's spirit of it at the end of the day.

I have to be under a lot of pressure for me to let out an explicitive under my breath, I feel bad when I do and I'm working on that.

When we have fear, we are told to read the bible, especially verses on fear, to replace the fearful thoughts.

When someone uses a replacement word it's because they don't want to use the actual cuss word.

By your logic we should just remain in fear.

When someone uses a replacement word they are attempting to express themselves in a way that's not wrong. It's an active action to Not sin. How is that the same spirit as saying a cuss word? They didn't say it. On purpose. They made an effort to not do something wrong and you qualify that as still wrong?