"Cussing"?

TammyRae · Aug 17, 2011

Just my humble opinion, but I believe that even things that aren't specified as a sin in scripture do become one if engaging in that behavior causes those around you to lose faith or feel negatively about Christianity.

Eating meat is specifically stated as not being a sin, but then it is indicated that we should willingly give up eating it if it may cause others around to stumble in their own faith.

New International Version (©1984)
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. 1 Corinthians 8:13

Hupomone10 · Aug 17, 2011

When I was saved, it was from a heavy partying background. During that first year I asked the Lord that He show me if anything needed to change; because I felt I had been burned by man's religion and religious standards of do's and don'ts, having grown up in a Baptist family and that mentality. I didn't want to change just because some religious people said so.

I continued to curse, just didn't use the Lord's name in vain and didn't drop the "F' bomb (no decent self-respecting man, even young man, would use that in front of a lady back in the late 70's) any longer.

About 2 or 3 months into my salvation I read this verse:

Ephesians 4:29
"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, that it may give grace to those who hear."

I said, "ok, Lord, that's good enough for me", and began purging it from my vocabulary. It still slips out when I'm really frustrated; that's the power of the flesh in our lives once tolerated and condoned for a period of time. That's the real danger in it, I think. It's no different than other things of the flesh: it's habit-forming and hard to stop. Ever find it as hard to stop praising God as it is to stop cursing? No, our flesh finds it hard to cultivate praise and hard to give up coarse language. That's the real indication of the nature of it, from whence it comes; and that should be the deciding factor in whether we tolerate it or not - what level of Christian life do we desire? Are we content with one mixed with fleshly habits; or one in which Christ overcomes the flesh and the Spirit rules through our spirit to glorify God?

In the end, the picture we have of the Christian life we want will do the deciding for us.

Blessings,
H.

TammyRae · Aug 17, 2011

Thank you.... MUCH better than what I posted

Ephesians 4:29
"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, that it may give grace to those who hear."

98cwitr · Aug 17, 2011

Hentenza said:
If Jesus appeared to me as He did to Paul going #2 would probably happen involuntarily.

Bella Vita · Aug 17, 2011

I wouldn't say it is a sin really but it is looked down upon. As Christians we are to strive to be Christ like in all that we do and the words that come out of our mouth need to be doing God's work always. So useless cursing isn't fullfilling being a Christian we are held to a higher standard by God and by society to do better. Cussing just brings us down to the world's level and makes us look like hypocrites. I am not perfect by any means and this is something I struggle with on a daily bases. I am working on it but it is a hard habit to break. =[

Julian of York · Aug 18, 2011

Well, I have lived long enough to see "Christians" argue for and against some of the strangest things. Like cussing. Yes.it is sin, which is exactly what your conscience will tell you (unless it has been burnt) and so don't do it.
Also on this site I have seen arguements for :
Booze: I remember one stalwart of the faith that said if he met Jesus outside a bar, Jesus would ask him in and treat him to a drink.
Sexual immorality: "Well, we are married in God's sight!" No, you are not. See under "Ten Commandments, Matthew chapter 5, Romans chapter 1
Homosexuality: Huh?

Reminds me of the verse that says,"When the Son of Man comes again, will He find faith on the earth?"

Oh,well. See Matthew 13 for an anology of the actions of Today's Church.

JoY
"Old Fuddy Duddy"

dies-l · Aug 18, 2011

Julian of York said:
Well, I have lived long enough to see "Christians" argue for and against some of the strangest things. Like cussing. Yes.it is sin, which is exactly what your conscience will tell you (unless it has been burnt) and so don't do it.

I love this argument: "Cussing is a sin, because that is what your conscience tells you. And, if your conscience doesn't tell you that, it must be because your conscience is broken."

Also on this site I have seen arguements for :
Booze: I remember one stalwart of the faith that said if he met Jesus outside a bar, Jesus would ask him in and treat him to a drink.

If I were not a recovering alcoholic, I imagine Jesus would do the same for me. He did, after all, use wine to symbolize his own blood.

Sexual immorality: "Well, we are married in God's sight!" No, you are not. See under "Ten Commandments, Matthew chapter 5, Romans chapter 1
Homosexuality: Huh?

Okay, on these I would have to agree: "Huh?"

Julian of York · Aug 18, 2011

"But as He that hath called you is holy, so be ye holy, IN ALL MANNER OF CONVERSATION: because it is written,Be ye holy, for I am holy." ! Peter 1:15-16

Remember, those pilgrims heading for Heaven, we are striving to be and do BETTER, not to find excuses for our doing worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. Not to win salvation, but to be sanctified (most of you better "Google" that one...I know I did) and to please Him that hath called us.

Written in Love,
JoY

dies-l · Aug 18, 2011

Julian of York said:
"But as He that hath called you is holy, so be ye holy, IN ALL MANNER OF CONVERSATION: because it is written,Be ye holy, for I am holy." ! Peter 1:15-16

Remember, those pilgrims heading for Heaven, we are striving to be and do BETTER, not to find excuses for our doing worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. Not to win salvation, but to be sanctified (most of you better "Google" that one...I know I did) and to please Him that hath called us.

Written in Love,
JoY

I agree that if you find "cussing" to be unholy don't do it. I would also agree that holiness would dictate that when I am in your presence, knowing that you find such language objectionable, I avoid using such language. But, it is an error in logic to say that, because you do not like certain words, they are unholy. In fact, Scripture itself, contains words that some might consider to be cuss words, both in English translations (e.g., Isaiah 36:12 in the KJV) and in the original languages (e.g., Philippians 3:8).

This is not about finding excuses. It is about not making up sins to feel convicted about. And, cuss words are really nothing more than vernacular words that describe bodily functions that we don't often feel comfortable talking about. They are intended to evoke imagery that is more graphic than more "acceptable" words might. And, therefore, they are offensive to some people. But, we see in Scripture that where the prophet Isaiah wanted to convey a very graphic idea, he used graphic and disturbing language as did Paul.

Certainly, we should exercise great care in how we explicit language, and we should never use it with the intention of offending someone just to be offensive. But, we see in the model of Scripture that it is not specific words that are unholy; it is the way that we use our words in harmful, unloving, and disrespectful ways that is unholy.

Julian of York · Aug 18, 2011

Dear Friends,
I have been convicted by the Word of God after reading the last couple of posts. The Word says:
"But avoid foolish questions, and geneologies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain." Titus 3:9

If anyone notices me getting involved in the same again, please remind me that Christians are instructed not to get involved. There is also the admonition to avoid those that misuse the Word of God. That is another thing I need to improve in my life for God's Glory. I cannot change any of your minds...I can but quote Scripture and pray the Spirit will instruct you.

Julian of York

faceofbear · Aug 18, 2011

I didn't know a question over sin was foolish?

dies-l · Aug 18, 2011

faceofbear said:
I didn't know a question over sin was foolish?

It is only when you take a hard line position on an issue that isn't supported by Scripture.

Hammster · Aug 19, 2011

Oh my goodness. There's a bunch of crap being spewed here, gosh darn it.

(I hope I didn't offend anyone)

Hentenza · Aug 19, 2011

Hammster said:
Oh my goodness. There's a bunch of crap being spewed here, gosh darn it.

(I hope I didn't offend anyone)

Repent.

98cwitr · Aug 19, 2011

I have the mouth of a sailor...the gf got onto me tonight for saying "Jesus Christ" in place of other things. Is that taking the Lord's name in vain?

Hammster · Aug 19, 2011

Hentenza said:
Repent.

Done.

Hammster · Aug 19, 2011

98cwitr said:
I have the mouth of a sailor...the gf got onto me tonight for saying "Jesus Christ" in place of other things. Is that taking the Lord's name in vain?

Yes.

Hupomone10 · Aug 20, 2011

Julian of York said:
Dear Friends,
I have been convicted by the Word of God after reading the last couple of posts. The Word says:
"But avoid foolish questions, and geneologies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain." Titus 3:9

If anyone notices me getting involved in the same again, please remind me that Christians are instructed not to get involved. There is also the admonition to avoid those that misuse the Word of God. That is another thing I need to improve in my life for God's Glory. I cannot change any of your minds...I can but quote Scripture and pray the Spirit will instruct you.

Julian of York

It's possible that you're just frustrated/irritated at the suggestion that fowl language would be ok and at Christians even arguing such a point. I find myself agreeing with most of what you said on here. It's ok to offer our perspective, I don't think that's wrong. We get frustrated to the degree that we hope our perspective will influence others and it doesn't do so.

dies I:

I didn't realize you also were a recovering alcoholic. Maybe we can exchange testimonies - struggles in the process, things that worked, things that didn't - some time.

God bless,
H.

WannaWitness · Aug 22, 2011

twin1954 said:
" Oh my gosh" or " Oh my goodness" is blasphemy and ought never to be uttered

And all this time, I thought "Leave It To Beaver", "The Andy Griffith Show", and "The Brady Bunch" were good, wholesome classic family comedies from a more innocent era.

(Sorry, I just couldn't resist.)

In all seriousness, though (in reference to the euphemisms and slangs), my perspective is a little different. In today's society when such nasty and obscene talk is so commonplace, I'd like to think that one who chooses to use the alternatives would be viewed as more set apart (especially knowing that those who truly do have dirty minds sometimes poke fun at such things).

Just respectfully disagreeing, of course.

98cwitr · Aug 22, 2011

Hammster said:
Yes.

What does it mean to take the Lord's name in vain?

"Cussing"?

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Lord forgive me

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dies-l

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dies-l

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dies-l

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I will fear no evil for You are with me

Lord forgive me

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Lord forgive me

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