"Cussing"?

[MichaelKelley]

"If anyone thinks himself to be religious and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless" (James 1:26).

"See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire? And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell" (James 3:6).​

The one who said 'sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me' was a dirty little liar. Words are powerful; much more powerful than the "sticks and stones." Words can change the course of entire nations or one individual's life, either for good or bad, and as followers of the Way...as followers of our Lord Yeshua/ Jesus Christ, we must be an encouragement to people, not tear them down and cuss them out.

"A GENTLE answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger (Proverbs 15:1).​

As a follower of the Way, of Yeshua/ Jesus Christ, how could you possibly want to stir up wrath among people? Anyone that sets their words to cuss on a regular basis has no part with Christ, as James said, their "religion" is worthless and they are not actually saved in a relationship with the Lord.

 

[MichaelKelley]

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

Taking the Lord's name in vain is NOT the same as cussing or saying "G.D." or "oh my --." Those are different issues entirely; they're still wrong, but different issues.

When the First Commandment says not to take the Lord's name in vain, and also elsewhere in the Scripture, it is referring to those who take on the name of believing in Him but are not really His. The pretenders, so to speak...the one's just going through the motions of Christianity are the ones who are taking His name in vain, according to the Bible.

 

[dies-l]

Taking the LORD's name in vain is any use of the name of God that is not done in sincerity and reverence. Literally, the commandment is talking about the name YHWH (Yahweh or Jehovah in English). But, the underlying concept is that we are to show the greatest of reverence for God in the way we speak. So, I would say that to use any name or title in reference to God in a way that is irreverent, whether it is as a "cuss", an empty promise (e.g., "I swear to God"), an exclamation (e.g., [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse]), etc., goes right to the heart of the third commandment.

 

[MichaelKelley]

Taking the LORD's name in vain is any use of the name of God that is not done in sincerity and reverence. Literally, the commandment is talking about the name YHWH (Yahweh or Jehovah in English). But, the underlying concept is that we are to show the greatest of reverence for God in the way we speak. So, I would say that to use any name or title in reference to God in a way that is irreverent, whether it is as a "cuss", an empty promise (e.g., "I swear to God"), an exclamation (e.g., [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse]), etc., goes right to the heart of the third commandment.

Yes, we are to have a high-reverence for the Lord and it is wrong to use His name as a curse word...but using it has a curse word is a DIFFERENT issue entirely. Taking His name in vain would be calling yourself a believer when you actually are not. That's the meaning of it in the Hebrew.

They are both sinful to do, but different sins.

 

[AllieBaba2012]

Taking the Lord's name in vain is a sin, as is ridiculing the Holy Spirit. The REASON we shouldn't swear is because it presents an unclean, foul image to the world and part of our job as Christians is to represent Christ, and be good examples for others. We should be clean, sober, kind, loving, and all the things that will make people see how Christ moves in our lives, and how He can move in theirs.

Probably the best way to do that isn't to lay down the foul language an inch thick...

 

[savedfromdistruction]

I do not swear (save for occasionally either on accident, or in writing), so I am not asking this for a licentiousness to curse. However, I know I am not the only one who has questioned this, and I would like to ask for other Christian's opinions.

Is cussing a sin? But before you answer, please read my explanation.

I've found often that when the Bible is speaking of avoiding foul language it is more in terms of not gossiping or using the Lord's name in vain. It is to not spread rumors of other people, thus avoiding a filthy mouth, gossip.

I am of the mind, however, that cursing is not directly wrong, if a Christian can do it in a clear mind, and without offending others. That is, in private, if a Christian can swear with a clear mind, save for the use of God's name, it is not a sin.

It seems to me we've adopted this idea that saying something such as "s-h-eye-t" is bad. But in reality, it seems to be just a social thing. It seems to be derogatory, and pervasive, when in reality, what is the difference between s-h-eye-t, see-r-a-p, poop, or waste? There is none. I remember being a kid, my mom told me pee was a bad word. Thus, growing up, I could not say pee with a clear conscience. But, after being exposed to people who had used the term, it no longer bothered me, and in fact, I realized it was socially normal. So, is saying pee a sin? And if not, what makes saying p!$$ a cuss word? What makes it a sin? What makes it different?

Now, do I have any biblical text to support my opinion? Some, but not many. I would like people to give their opinions, with a supporting verse, and a explanation of what that verse means, preferably by a commentary of some sort.

I think the first question that needs to be asked is why would anyone who claims to be a Christian want to cuss? How does it glorify God?

If a person can cuss with a clear conscience then why should anyone believe they are a Christian?
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.

There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.

 

[dies-l]

Yes, we are to have a high-reverence for the Lord and it is wrong to use His name as a curse word...but using it has a curse word is a DIFFERENT issue entirely. Taking His name in vain would be calling yourself a believer when you actually are not. That's the meaning of it in the Hebrew.

They are both sinful to do, but different sins.

I guess I will have to agree to disagree with you on this. What you give is an example of taking Yahweh's name in vain, not the definition of it.

 

[dies-l]

If a person can cuss with a clear conscience then why should anyone believe they are a Christian?

I guess if you are going to judge the sincerity of my faith by the fact that I don't go out of my way to avoid a handful of words that the world considers taboo, then I will just have to live with the fact that you don't believe I am a Christian. By the same standard, Paul wouldn't have been a Christian either, so I guess I am in good company.

 

[Acosens]

It's not a sin per se but if there is someone around you that is not saved who knows you are a Christian and they here you cursing it might be perceived in a bad way.

 

[savedfromdistruction]

I do not swear (save for occasionally either on accident, or in writing), so I am not asking this for a licentiousness to curse. However, I know I am not the only one who has questioned this, and I would like to ask for other Christian's opinions.

Is cussing a sin? But before you answer, please read my explanation.

I've found often that when the Bible is speaking of avoiding foul language it is more in terms of not gossiping or using the Lord's name in vain. It is to not spread rumors of other people, thus avoiding a filthy mouth, gossip.

I am of the mind, however, that cursing is not directly wrong, if a Christian can do it in a clear mind, and without offending others. That is, in private, if a Christian can swear with a clear mind, save for the use of God's name, it is not a sin.

It seems to me we've adopted this idea that saying something such as "s-h-eye-t" is bad. But in reality, it seems to be just a social thing. It seems to be derogatory, and pervasive, when in reality, what is the difference between s-h-eye-t, see-r-a-p, poop, or waste? There is none. I remember being a kid, my mom told me pee was a bad word. Thus, growing up, I could not say pee with a clear conscience. But, after being exposed to people who had used the term, it no longer bothered me, and in fact, I realized it was socially normal. So, is saying pee a sin? And if not, what makes saying p!$$ a cuss word? What makes it a sin? What makes it different?

Now, do I have any biblical text to support my opinion? Some, but not many. I would like people to give their opinions, with a supporting verse, and a explanation of what that verse means, preferably by a commentary of some sort.

It is not that which goes into the man that defiles him but what comes out. Let no evil communication proceed from your mouth. One would have to ask why would any believer even want to cuss? If our hearts have been changed as scripture says and we are to walk as the Lord Jesus walked why would we even think about cussing much less do it. I will tell you that no believer can cuss in faith (Romans 10:17). If a person says they believe it is not sin then they do not have the Spirit and if we do not have the Spirit we are not saved. For we who are saved can do nothing against the faith (2Cor 13:5,8). Just remember it is a narrow gate and a straight path and few are they who find it.

 

[marksman315]

Cussing definitely ruins a person's testimony to others. Seeing the light of Christ in someone who swears like a sailor would be quite difficult. Why would someone want to have the joy we have if it does not look like we are any different than they are?

When I was in the Air Force, I cussed a lot. It was very foul, and it did not seem odd because everyone else was doing it. It took a couple years to get out of that bad habit. My suggestion would be to stop cussing whether or not you think it is a sin.

 

[savedfromdistruction]

I guess if you are going to judge the sincerity of my faith by the fact that I don't go out of my way to avoid a handful of words that the world considers taboo, then I will just have to live with the fact that you don't believe I am a Christian. By the same standard, Paul wouldn't have been a Christian either, so I guess I am in good company.

The bible does any condemning.

A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither [can] a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit

But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

 

[Benama]

I read a story of a woman who God spoke to when she was young and broke living in slum/squatter areas where people use foul words as language, and she said that when God spoke to her back in those days, He used to use the same way as she did. Now I'm not sure whether God spoke to her using cuss words but you get the point.

Anyways, so sometimes when I pray or have a convo with God, I cuss, BUT in a way I feel like Jesus would in front of me. I can just imagine him saying something like, "If you do this, you'll be d*mned to Hell forever." Or God being like, "My son, don't f*ck your life up.", or Jesus being like, "You're heart is full of sh*t, I died for that. Bring that sh*t to me and I'll replace it with righteousness." THIS IS JUST AN OPINION SO please don't get worked up over it. I'm not sure if it's even right in the first place.

Now cussing DOES have a line/limit, and once I start, it's very easy to cross it, so I guess what's best is if I cut it off completely.

Peace

 

[jchaudoir36]

Well... respect your elders always comes to mind when pervasive language wants to roll off the tongue especially from the "innocent" or "not-so-innocent" youth. "Youngsters" or "Whippersnappers" they'd call them in the south.

True story: My sis would try redirecting my younger cousins from saying certain curse words and would just use creative word replacements such as... oh shuggy duggy and oh fahvernugen! (creative words of unusual and comical derivative exclamation) that got the job done without piercing the ears of the elders or anyone else that was offended by words of pervasiveness.

 

[dogs4thewin]

I am not sure. On the one hand the Bible says let nothing unclean come from your mouth and from the heart the mouth speaks, BUT on the other hand really with one or two exception curse words are just that WORDS that have some how through the years became some how "bad" words. Other than the GD word.