So I'm going to address a sticky issue to most Christians today... the issue of using curse words. It has been brought to my attention several times over the past five years and I have been thinking a bit about it.
Check out this thought-provoking video by the Skit Guys real quick, and then keep reading: http://skitguys.com/videos/item/walk-the-talk/
I think they have a point. But first, I believe there are two main aspects on the issue of whether to curse or not to curse; 1) what is the definition of a curse word? and 2) for the Christian, does God really say not to curse?
The first aspect is pretty challenging. Are curse words simply cultural? That is, does one word have different meanings simply depending on the context? (the answer is yes. Ex: bloody) Therefore, is there absolute truth concerning curse words? Are any without-a-doubt wrong, or does it simply depend on where you are? Perhaps curse words simply take on the meanings we impose on them (like any word in any language, I suppose.) I believe that is true. Is it wrong then, for us to curse in different languages? I do not know what I believe in this case. For those words seem harmless to us in our own culture, and yet, we speak them in bad conscious if we realize the connotations they hold and use them anyway, as a guilt-free way of cursing. Are curse words then, simply words which we impose a negative meaning? Perhaps that is what the skit guys were getting at-perhaps the actual word itself is not the issue, but the heart behind the mouth behind the word that is intent on hurting or degrading. And yet people do not always use curse words to degrade-people use them when they are really stoked about something, positively or negatively. And so you see there are plausible sides to each argument concerning the actual definition of curse words and consequentially, whether or not it is honoring to God to use them.
Secondly, does the Bible actually say not to curse? Do a word search for "cussing" and you won't find anything. HA! See? Most people would say. And yet if you take the position stated above that curse words, forget whether they are cultural or not, all words that have a negative meaning imposed on them are not to be spoken by the Christian. To me, there are so many other beautiful words in the human language that we don't have to use ones that are tainted with a bad reputation and offense! My mom has recently been struck with the verse Jeremiah 15:19, concerning the value of good words: If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall be as My mouth. That's coming from God! When we say good things, uplifting things, encouraging things, beautiful things, it's as if we are the very mouth of God (who of course always says beautiful things, and nothing worthless!) I see curse words as low, not glorious! And for those of you who don't find the issue of cursing in the Bible, read James 3:10-12. "From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water." The first part makes sense, (score!) but what's with the second? I believe it is saying that if one is pure on the inside he ought not to utter impure words, giving light to the first issue, the definition of curse words. They are, according to these verses, completely unnatural for the Christian to utter since they are so unlike him who has been purified by Christ's blood.
And don't give me that, I just cuss in front of my friends who do, argument. Don't be a spineless follower and conformer!
I have one final thought to leave you with as you decide where to stand on the issue of cursing, (because you must stand on one side or the other! It's right or it's wrong. You won't curse or you will.) Would you curse in a prayer? Would you utter the words we know as curse words, in front of God? Because the truth is, God is omnipresent. He hears whatever you say and even knows your motivation behind it. Regardless of whether your words are labeled "curse words" or not is beside the point. Speak the words that you would speak in front of the Judge, Creator, Ruler, and King of the universe, for every word you speak is indeed said as much to Him as it is anyone else.
Now let's have some feedback, as I'm sure many of you have a few things to say :)
I have had several Christians at college ask me why I don't curse. I simply replied that I am a generally soft-spoken individual who likes to keep Ephesians 4:29 in mind when conversing with others, and that I know that there is an entire dictionary filled with words that could better convey the emotion than I feel without the need to curse. I also know that if I did do this I could possibly offend or cause another believer to stumble.
ReplyDeleteI think 1 Corinthians 8 is also a good passage to look at. In this passage Paul addresses the issue of eating meat that was sacrificed to idols. The church in Corinth was concerned that eating meat sacrificed to idols was a sin. What Paul says in vs. 13 is interesting, "Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall." I think that this can also be applied to cursing (and anything else we say for that matter). If what I say causes my brother in Christ to fall into sin, then I will not say that, so that I will not cause him to fall.
You are right, my friend.
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