how can you be friend with a non christian if they swear so much?

[mikeforjesus]

Now my friends are mostly only christians... I would only stay with christians wheras with non christians maybe 20 minutes the longest and not on a continual basis... thats very sad

Im saying this coz of something I read from here
http://www.christiananswers.net/q-comfort/growing-prayer.html

I do still smile at them.. but I think I might of given up on them altogether.. I dont feel like id be effective anyway because im depressed and dont function right alot of the time and it will make them think its because of christianity.

 

[mikeforjesus]

Wrong site... this one
http://www.christiananswers.net/q-comfort/growing-evangelism.html
Thanx

 

[ElElohe]

What do you consider "swearing" and why? (I can assume the answer to this question, but my asking it has a purpose.)

I'm no linguist but have heard that what generally constitutes swearing in the US is often a harmless term in other cultures. I'm no theologian either (ie, look up what I'm about to say yourself, like the Bereans in Acts 17), but this is what I've found:

1) It's not good to slander anyone, anytime. And in our culture a curse is often used for this.

2) It's not good to be vulgar, which is another common use for American swearing. (ie, BE gentle, and I know there's a verse or few saying don't use coarse joking, etc, somwhere)

3) There are times when the words might be appropriate, when, culturally and situationally, they are the best expression. However most Americans don't have enough of a vocabulary and substitute vulgar expressions in place of their vocabularic ignorance. AND this is still never the case when referring to another person.

4) Never take the Lord's name in vain. IE, don't use it lightly, irreverantly or in a profane way. Personally, I cringe whenever I hear someone use the Lord's name in vain. (Although I have Christian friends who do occassionally, but some of the time it doesn't come across in a vain way. I would still err on the side of caution with this though.)

I don't swear, with about 2 exceptions a year. I find it, esp in American vernacular, crass and a display of vocabularic ignorance--as mentioned above--and just unelegant.

But I'm somewhat accustomed to it as well; I've worked in a variety of trades, even with Christians, who are what we might refer to as "pottymouths." People I see in church every week, who do good works. But curse a lot.

 

[popslittlewonder]

my friend used to swear all the time. Just plain and simply you have to ask them to not do that around you. Some will listen and some won't but most will listen

 

[soblessed53]

I have always heard respect is earned, not given,so if people will not give me respect by watching their mouths around me when they know it offends me,I refuse to be in their company and will walk away. Fortunately no "friend" of mine has a potty-mouth,and I'm sorry but such a mouth is not fruit of the Holy Spirit,so I would not consider such a person a truly "regenerated", Born-Again" Christian! Where is the changed heart,and the new man? Be a "fruit-inspector" and you will know those who "falsely profess" Christ. And we are not to associate with those.

 

[coastie]

In the places where I work (like with most occupations) you do not have the opportunity to seperate yourself from those who swear and cuss. As a Christian, we really don't have any sort of edict that we must, however, it is not a bad idea to try and stay away from them lest you inadvertantly start swearing along with them.

It's a catching disease, and nothing is really sacred anymore. Even primetime television allows it if they feel that it is "neccessary" to get the point accoss or paint an accurate picture. Not liek it matters any more since we are inundated with foul language everywhere we go nowadays.

Many pople used to believe that with education it was uneccessary to swear because you had picked up a large enough vocabulary to get your point accross without being vulgar. Now, if you watch movies, everybody swears. Doctors, lawyers, Generals, Admirals, the President but not always the heroes. Why? because hollywood uses a very primitive method to portray characters as to make certain one appear evil and others appear good. It's probably a subconcious thought in the minds of script writers, but a real hero, i.e. Col. Winters in Band of Brothers, does not cuss.

Back to the original concern. If you choose not to cuss or swear, you must not allow yourself to slip. It may not be intentional, but others will eventually respect you for this very basic moral decision. While in the military, at first, I was picked on for it. After a while, folks just recognized that I chose the discipline of using clean language over the ease of using explicatives to flavor my statements.

Hope this answers your question.

This is one of those Christian struggles that no one ever seems to really want to deal with. I'm glad you broght it up.

Zach

 

[PACKY]

although your friends may swear ( I do WAY to much myself) doesnt mean that they are bad people or even that you shouldnt hang out with them.
If anything you should hang out with them MORE!
Why ..you ask....
because the christ instructed us to let our faith shine for all to see...now if we only hang out with only christians where does that get you? however if you lead by example and works as being a christian then my friend you have done much.
After all Christ hung out with leapers,possesed men, and prostitutes.
All is made new in the lord, ( he did the hard part for us on Calvary) it is up to us to bring people to him and salvation.
Peace and blessings

 

[refredo]

Let them know that you are not comfortable with swearing, if they listen well and good. Om the other hand if they don't, ask they Lord to give you the grace to love them. It can be pretty hard to love people with whom we don't agree, but the Lord said we ought to love others not only those that are lovable.

 

[refredo]

Let them know that you are not comfortable with swearing, if they listen well and good. On the other hand if they don't, ask they Lord to give you the grace to love them. It can be pretty hard to love people with whom we don't agree, but the Lord said we ought to love others not only those that are lovable.

 

[jesusrocks85]

swearing is bad.

 

[Sapphira Opalistik]

Here's my take on this whole thing: You complain that your friends swear too much, yet you want to show them the "Love of Christ". If you have all but left them to themselves due to just how they speak- then you're not showing that love at all- you're possibly showing how we Christians can be stuck up and haughty when not careful.

If it makes you uncomfortable, that's great-- tell them, but remember that words are words, and that actions speak louder. Try putting yourself in their place possibly- many non-christians feel very uncomfortable around their christian friends who try to witness, but many times will have the reserve to not say anything, so as not to offend.

My suggestion: try not to be so offended so easily. Look at what they're about before jumping over what words they use.