Profanity

[Taodeching]

I think language is subjective for the most part. What is cussing to us now in a few generations may not be cussing then. Like when St. Paul says filthy speech we have no idea what words or speech he is even taking about. Now right now some words sound bad to us and we can even make our own cuss words, any word we use enough can be a cuss word to us.

 

[aiki]

Point is that if certain words are "filthy" and we shouldn't use them, Paul isn't really practicing what he preaches.
If Paul is referring to everything aside from knowledge of Christ to be nothing but dung in Philippians 3:8, what makes a synonym for the same word forbidden that Christ would judge you negatively for using?
What gives these words, in English mind you, these English words, what about them is so vile that God considers the mere utterance of them to be sin, while many synonyms for the same thing are not considered vile or sinful? Not to mention because of casual use the word often is not even used to refer to that thing it originally meant anymore, but is used as a colloquialism for other things.
I think it's more about the intent a person has when they open their mouth rather than "naughty words". If they're putting someone down it doesn't matter what vocabulary they used, they still tore someone down rather than edified them.

You know, I run into two basic types of Christians: Type one are always trying find out just how far is too far. They want to know exactly where the lines are between right and wrong, between obedience and disobedience, so that they can walk as close to the line as possible without going over it. Type two, in contrast, are always wondering how much closer to Christ they can get, how much more like him they can be, how they can enjoy him more and go deeper with him. They don't ever think about where the lines are between right and wrong because they have no interest in getting any where near such lines and jeopardizing their fellowship with God.

I look at your efforts to defend coarse, unwholesome, ungracious language and I don't see someone concerned with knowing Christ more and manifesting in his speech Christ's purity, holiness, grace and love. Instead, I see a person wanting to make room for their crummy language, even going so far in doing so as to accuse Paul of hypocrisy, as though such hypocrisy (if it were real) somehow gives license to foul speech.

As Jesus said, what comes out of your mouth reveals the content of your heart. What then do coarse, unwholesome, foul words reveal about you when they issue from your mouth?

 

[bèlla]

If Christ is our standard the answer is obvious. It's one thing to struggle with profanity and another to decide coarse language is acceptable and make no attempt to change.

Yours in His Service,

~bella

 

[Jamdoc]

You know, I run into two basic types of Christians: Type one are always trying find out just how far is too far. They want to know exactly where the lines are between right and wrong, between obedience and disobedience, so that they can walk as close to the line as possible without going over it. Type two, in contrast, are always wondering how much closer to Christ they can get, how much more like him they can be, how they can enjoy him more and go deeper with him. They don't ever think about where the lines are between right and wrong because they have no interest in getting any where near such lines and jeopardizing their fellowship with God.

I look at your efforts to defend coarse, unwholesome, ungracious language and I don't see someone concerned with knowing Christ more and manifesting in his speech Christ's purity, holiness, grace and love. Instead, I see a person wanting to make room for their crummy language, even going so far in doing so as to accuse Paul of hypocrisy, as though such hypocrisy (if it were real) somehow gives license to foul speech.

As Jesus said, what comes out of your mouth reveals the content of your heart. What then do coarse, unwholesome, foul words reveal about you when they issue from your mouth?

Luke 14:35.
Jesus' own words.
I don't think such language takes you further from Jesus. It is language that you consider crummy, because it seems to be a stumbling block for you, I wouldn't use such terminology around you. But nowhere did I see God make a list of words you shouldn't use.
You shall not take His name in vain.
and Paul tells us not to tear down other people with speech, which you just did, without using profanity.
But otherwise, the bible doesn't have a list of naughty words you shouldn't use.
It's more the purpose of your speech that matters.

If Christ is our standard the answer is obvious. It's one thing to struggle with profanity and another to decide coarse language is acceptable and make no attempt to change.

Yours in His Service,

~bella

If a man reads 1 Timothy 4:1-5 and feels "I can eat pork, because every creature of God is good, and is sanctified by the word of God and prayer", should he be "struggling" with eating pork? It'd only be a struggle if it's a sin that you're trying to get out of your life.
I don't feel that these words, despite society views on them, have any extra power that makes them inherently sinful. So why would it be a struggle? It's something that some people view as sinful so that's a stumbling block, so it feels right to avoid such language around someone like you that feels that way. The same way I might not eat pork around someone who's torah observant.
It is other people who have made the decision on what language is considered "coarse" or not, and as I pointed out to aiki, Jesus made such a reference Himself too, so.. I don't think a synonym is inherently sin.
Now what I could say I struggle with, is like I said, my friends like to throw around the Lord's name in vain and I don't like that, and I wonder if I should correct them on that or just hold my peace when they use it, and I won't say those particular curses myself anymore, but that's a personal thing because I don't want to disrespect my savior by treating His name as an expletive, and that can be a struggle at first because it's so pervasive in culture, people even shorten it to an abbreviation of letters. I'd still say it's a struggle with the abbreviations because when you read them on someone's facebook post or twitter or some other place online you see the 3-4 letter abbreviation and your mind reads the actual words that that abbreviation stands for. That's a struggle.

But to "struggle" with using vulgar terms for things? First I'd have to actually consider them as sin.

 

[mlepfitjw]

Well no one here is better than the next just based off words. In fact the tongue is one of the hardest things to control. Change in the heart Christ can do that. He can change hate in to love. So I don’t know, judgement made based on the internet of human beings is really disoriented approach.

Of course there will be people who cuss and are believers, some don’t.

What difference does it really make to you, when you are responsible solely for your very own life?

don’t like people that smoke move away from them, can’t stand cussing go be somewhere else, can’t stand gay people leave the room, I don’t get it.

You’re not responsible for anyone but yourself.

Along with your relationship with God.

 

[mlepfitjw]

The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. ... but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness.

 

[mlepfitjw]

One more thing it was Jesus who hung out with winebibbers, gluttons and sinners. You don’t have to if you don’t wanna.

 

[Tropical Wilds]

So, I come from a background of being a US Sailor.
There's a certain stereotype about cursing like a sailor, and for the most part it's true, myself included.
Now, while certain profanities I do not use, the ones that take our Lord's name in vain, and I get pretty fed up with my friends using them and I hate how it's always their go to expletive when they get frustrated is to somehow take the Lord's name in vain (it gets a little annoying to all to constantly remind them to avoid that one by chiming in "what does He have to do with this?"), whether the father or the son, both get used (and why is it that the world sees it as okay to throw those around and I never hear Muhammad or Buddha used as curses?), and I hate how somehow those ones get used in prime time TV, like they're the most acceptable "curse words".... but on the other side.. the scatalogical and sexual related expletives.. I don't feel a conviction for using, not unless I use them directed at someone to hurt them or bring them down, but if they get used casually ... I usually don't even notice.
I consciously avoid using them around people who are sensitive to them because they are a stumbling block to many people, and I wouldn't use them witnessing to someone.. but otherwise, by myself, or with friends who it is not a stumbling block to.. is it an issue of Christian Liberty or is it sin?
Paul said to avoid all filthy talk but at the same time the bible contains scatalogical terminology even from the hand of Paul himself.

If you don’t like them, don’t use them. If others use them, that is their business and not your business to regulate.

 

[aiki]

Luke 14:35.
Jesus' own words.
I don't think such language takes you further from Jesus. It is language that you consider crummy, because it seems to be a stumbling block for you, I wouldn't use such terminology around you. But nowhere did I see God make a list of words you shouldn't use.

What do you call a pile of manure but a manure pile? Christ's words in Luke 14:35 were not unwholesome, or filthy, or coarse but simply descriptive. It is twisting Scripture evilly to make it in any way support your sin of speech.

I think language is wonderful, beautiful, even, at times. But there are words and phrases that are low, foul, crude - or crummy, as I put it, and commonly recognized in various cultures as such. These words and phrases vary across cultures, changing over time, too, so making a list of them in Scripture would have been impossible. But in each culture, there is a general understanding of what words and phrases are foul and ungracious and which are not, so a biblical list of them is unnecessary.

God never made a complete list of wicked things you shouldn't do but this doesn't mean you can pluck the eyes out of the neighbor's cat for fun, or boil your Grandmother in a vat of oil, or give illicit drugs to children. The Bible never says not to do these particular things, to follow your specious logic, but there is no question that these things are wrong - just like a specific and exhaustive list of words and phrases that fall under "corrupt or unwholesome" isn't required to know, in any particular culture, which words and phrases are generally regarded as offensive and foul.

Paul tells us not to tear down other people with speech, which you just did, without using profanity.
But otherwise, the bible doesn't have a list of naughty words you shouldn't use.
It's more the purpose of your speech that matters.

The Bible tells us to challenge sin where we encounter it, to rebuke it, and expose it and reject it.

Ephesians 5:4-11
4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
5 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.
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
7 Therefore do not be partakers with them;
8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light
9 (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth),
10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them;

John 7:24 (NASB)
24 "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment."

1 Corinthians 5:11-12 (NASB)
11 But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one.
12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church?

1 Timothy 5:20 (NASB)
20 Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning.

2 Timothy 4:2 (NASB)
2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.

If this is in your estimation "tearing down," well, then, so be it. I will obey the command of God before conceding to the twisting of logic and Scripture of one who wishes to condone his sin.

It's more the purpose of your speech that matters.

I don't agree. The purpose of your speech matters, yes, but as I pointed out, in each culture there are words and phrases everyone understands fall under the category of crude and foul language and so are out-of-bounds for the Christian in that culture who wants to be an effective, holy representative of Christ.

It is a...dangerous habit to get into, resorting to slippery, specious reasoning in order to protect your sin. The first casualty of doing this is intimate, joyful fellowship with God. You can't really, deeply enjoy God when you're making such efforts to condone what He condemns.

 

[aiki]

Well no one here is better than the next just based off words.

Oh? How do you know this? Are you able to listen in on the speech of every contributor to this website?

In fact the tongue is one of the hardest things to control.

Not for God. The tongue of one who has yielded himself to God, moment-by-moment through each day, finds his tongue well under control.

So I don’t know, judgement made based on the internet of human beings is really disoriented approach.

??? Don't follow you here...

What difference does it really make to you, when you are responsible solely for your very own life?

This is the philosophy of the World here, not of God's word. Christians are "members one of another" (Romans 12:5) in a "Body of Believers" (Ephesians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 12) that the apostle Paul likened to the human body where the connections between parts of the body are highly integrated, affecting each other profoundly. This is why he wrote to the Corinthian believers:

1 Corinthians 5:1-2 (NASB)
1 It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of such a kind as does not exist even among the Gentiles, that someone has his father's wife.
2 You have become arrogant and have not mourned instead, so that the one who had done this deed would be removed from your midst.

1 Corinthians 5:6-7 (NASB)
6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough?
7 Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed.

1 Corinthians 5:11 (NASB)
11 But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one.

The apostle Paul did not hold at all to your "mind your own business" philosophy.

don’t like people that smoke move away from them, can’t stand cussing go be somewhere else, can’t stand gay people leave the room, I don’t get it.

No one is saying that one cannot do these things - especially if it is non-believers who are smoking, or cussing, or carrying on in homosexually-amorous ways. But professing believers who are doing these things are not to be left unchallenged in their sin. See above.

You’re not responsible for anyone but yourself.

This is entirely unbiblical. The very core of agape love, God's love, is that we take on care and concern for others, making ourselves responsible for their well-being as much as we are able (Philippians 2:3-4; 1 John 3:17; John 15:12). God promises that sin always results in death of some kind (Romans 6:23; James 1:15; Galatians 6:7-8). What love do we show the sinning brother or sister when we let them go on in their sin unchallenged, knowing that death awaits them as they continue in it? None that I can see.

 

[Ruzty1311]

If this is in your estimation "tearing down," well, then, so be it. I will obey the command of God before conceding to the twisting of logic and Scripture of one who wishes to condone his sin.



I don't agree. The purpose of your speech matters, yes, but as I pointed out, in each culture there are words and phrases everyone understands fall under the category of crude and foul language and so are out-of-bounds for the Christian in that culture who wants to be an effective, holy representative of Christ.

It is a...dangerous habit to get into, resorting to slippery, specious reasoning in order to protect your sin. The first casualty of doing this is intimate, joyful fellowship with God. You can't really, deeply enjoy God when you're making such efforts to condone what He condemns.

I cannot understand how more Christians do not think this way! This is exactly how we should carry ourselves in this life and walk with Jesus Christ.

You all need to think of it this way, if you were sitting next to Jesus right now, would you use such language? I mean, REALLY thnk deep about this.

Also, consider this: At every job interview you have ever had, did you curse? I consider this life the biggest job interview we can ever have. That job interview is with God and we are trying to get to heaven. Do everything that you can to impress your boss lol

 

[mlepfitjw]

Oh? How do you know this? Are you able to listen in on the speech of every contributor to this website?

What I am saying is that we have all fallen short of the Glory of God. I am not trying to justify that it is okay to go around cursing all the time every single day either. Though even at work there was at times, were cussing is just something that is naturally involved from others.

What am I to do, go around rebuking them. Saying hey! I don't curse please do not do that around me, and lose the ability to continue to share God with them from time to time, if I so desire?

Are we able to subvert every human being? No. Absolutely not, if you stomach it through the holy spirit that produces love, you can overcome those annoyances.

Maybe my theology is wrong when it comes to this, but it doesn't matter to me, because I am gonna be who I am with whoever it is I am with for hopefully something good to come out of the ordeal.

Now it is something that is coming from someone that is truly abusive, and they are demeaning and cursing someone to death, that is a totally different story.

Not for God. The tongue of one who has yielded himself to God, moment-by-moment through each day, finds his tongue well under control.

We are not talking about God here. We are talking about humans, who are flawed.

Now in the flesh, people have road rage, get upset when someone is taking to long ordering food at the fast food take outline, and it doesn't even have to be out loud.

People can be just as mean, and demeaning without saying any word. Because everyone has a voice in their head. Who is to say that people don't just keep it to themselves and never say it out loud?
Like this - Oh great here comes this annoying stupid kid again, that isn't even cussing yet it is still rude.

By the spirit sure we can watch our mouth, absolutely. ( earlier I mentioned about judgement. ) What if we could have been a help to the person who is being foul mouthed or whatever maybe they were just going through a hard time, and they were venting over a situation that happened?

In response to them we could still have a graced speech during the whole epsiode.



??? Don't follow you here...

This is the philosophy of the World here, not of God's word. Christians are "members one of another" (Romans 12:5) in a "Body of Believers" (Ephesians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 12) that the apostle Paul likened to the human body where the connections between parts of the body are highly integrated, affecting each other profoundly. This is why he wrote to the Corinthian believers:

1 Corinthians 5:1-2 (NASB)
1 It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of such a kind as does not exist even among the Gentiles, that someone has his father's wife.
2 You have become arrogant and have not mourned instead, so that the one who had done this deed would be removed from your midst.

1 Corinthians 5:6-7 (NASB)
6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough?
7 Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed.

1 Corinthians 5:11 (NASB)
11 But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one.

The apostle Paul did not hold at all to your "mind your own business" philosophy.

I disagree with being responsible to anyone. I am sole responsible for my own actions 100% of the time, regardless of any outside influences, even if there was a gun to my head.

You are responsible for your own relationship with God. I have no legal right to force anything upon anyone at all except Agape Love, expressed through the spirit. End of subject in my view.

No one is saying that one cannot do these things - especially if it is non-believers who are smoking, or cussing, or carrying on in homosexually-amorous ways. But professing believers who are doing these things are not to be left unchallenged in their sin. See above.

Everyone has their own lot in life they have to deal with. It's not for me to go around forcing people to subvert to my will.

This is entirely unbiblical. The very core of agape love, God's love, is that we take on care and concern for others, making ourselves responsible for their well-being as much as we are able (Philippians 2:3-4; 1 John 3:17; John 15:12). God promises that sin always results in death of some kind (Romans 6:23; James 1:15; Galatians 6:7-8). What love do we show the sinning brother or sister when we let them go on in their sin unchallenged, knowing that death awaits them as they continue in it? None that I can see.

Well you can tell them whatever you want it is up to you. Of course Agape love is the most important, and sharing God with them.

They are still 100% responsible for themselves. Every single action they do.

I am not responsible for them at all... that doesn't still mean you don't try to encourage, support, and love them for who they are, or whatever goals they are trying to go for or whatever.

I am responsible for my own actions around them. Period.

Hope this helps you understand my perspective better, @aiki

 

[bèlla]

I don't feel that these words, despite society views on them, have any extra power that makes them inherently sinful.

If you believe the behavior is acceptable what’s the point of the thread? I don’t solicit opinions on things that don’t warrant questions. But maybe that’s me.

In my experience, threads like this usually fall in two areas: uncertainty and validation. The bible says, death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

You’re expending a lot of energy to defend a practice no one questioned. You brought it up. It would be different if the issue was raised during a discussion. But that isn’t the case (to my knowledge). You introduced the topic.

I surmise option two is the answer and you’re looking for confirmation and like-minded persons.

Yours in His Service,

~bella

 

[bèlla]

So I don’t know, judgement made based on the internet of human beings is really disoriented approach.

Of course there will be people who cuss and are believers, some don’t. What difference does it really make to you, when you are responsible solely for your very own life?

If you open yourself to scrutiny don’t be surprised when the microscope comes. You brought it on yourself. The OP didn’t need to disclose his behavior. He made a choice to do so.

We aren’t required to support or affirm his actions as a testament of faith. He asked a question and we’ve answered. He may disagree with our consensus. That’s his choice.

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. —Galatians 1:10

We must remain faithful to our convictions. Even when our opinions oppose others.

Yours in His Service,

~bella

 

[aiki]

What I am saying is that we have all fallen short of the Glory of God. I am not trying to justify that it is okay to go around cursing all the time every single day either. Though even at work there was at times, were cussing is just something that is naturally involved from others.

What am I to do, go around rebuking them. Saying hey! I don't curse please do not do that around me, and lose the ability to continue to share God with them from time to time, if I so desire?

The Bible tells you what you should do:

1 Corinthians 5:12-13
12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church?
13 But those who are outside, God judges...

Those who don't know Christ as their Saviour and Lord we don't expect to live in submission to his will and way - or demand that they do. They stand under God's judgment, not ours.

Maybe my theology is wrong when it comes to this, but it doesn't matter to me, because I am gonna be who I am with whoever it is I am with for hopefully something good to come out of the ordeal.

If it doesn't matter to you that your theology is wrong, why bother being a Christian at all? A Christian is not called to be whoever s/he is but to be more and more conformed to the Person of Christ. (Romans 8:29)

Now it is something that is coming from someone that is truly abusive, and they are demeaning and cursing someone to death, that is a totally different story.

Why? Sin in whatever degree brings God's judgment and death to fellowship with Him. It isn't only the stuff that we think is a big deal that brings people terrible, even eternal, harm.

We are not talking about God here. We are talking about humans, who are flawed.

Well, I'm talking about believers who are walking under God's control.

I disagree with being responsible to anyone. I am sole responsible for my own actions 100% of the time, regardless of any outside influences, even if there was a gun to my head.

It isn't one or the other; it's both. You're responsible for your thoughts and actions and for the well-being of others. And it doesn't matter what you agree with or don't; what matters is what God has commanded which is to love our neighbor as ourselves, to sacrifice ourselves for their sake, as Christ did for us.

You are responsible for your own relationship with God. I have no legal right to force anything upon anyone at all except Agape Love, expressed through the spirit. End of subject in my view.

No one has proposed forcing anyone to do anything. If you are determined to use foul language, go ahead. But I am by no means obliged to sit quietly while you do, offering no challenge to your rotten language - especially if you claim to be a brother in Christ.

Psalm 50:19-21
19 "You let your mouth loose in evil And your tongue frames deceit.
20 "You sit and speak against your brother; You slander your own mother's son.
21 "These things you have done and I kept silence; You thought that I was just like you; I will reprove you and state the case in order before your eyes.

Everyone has their own lot in life they have to deal with. It's not for me to go around forcing people to subvert to my will.

Who has said anything about forcing people? I have written only of challenging and condemning evil language, not forcing anyone to clean up their speech.

Well you can tell them whatever you want it is up to you. Of course Agape love is the most important, and sharing God with them.

They are still 100% responsible for themselves. Every single action they do.

Yes, no one has indicated otherwise. I certainly haven't.

I am not responsible for them at all...

But you are. That is what the verses I cited to you clearly indicate. You have a responsibility both to God and to your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to "provoke one another unto love and good works," to "judge righteous judgment," and to "reprove, rebuke, exhort" fellow Christians to the edification of the Body of Believers.

I am responsible for my own actions around them. Period.

Hope this helps you understand my perspective better, @aiki

It does. But it also reveals how unbiblical that perspective is and how much the thinking of the World has shaped your own thinking. Sadly, this results in a very weak, gray experience of God rather than the abundant, joyful life in Him you could have.

Colossians 2:6-8
6 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,
7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.
8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.

 

[mlepfitjw]

I have a life to live, and not being judge by other on the internet.

Cheers. Love life, Love God, Love Others.


If you are perfect, please die for me and my sins.

Ah, As I look to Jesus. Thank you for freedom.

 

[Taodeching]

What do you call a pile of manure but a manure pile? Christ's words in Luke 14:35 were not unwholesome, or filthy, or coarse but simply descriptive. It is twisting Scripture evilly to make it in any way support your sin of speech.

How do you know? English was not the language of the Bible

 

[Jamdoc]

What do you call a pile of manure but a manure pile? Christ's words in Luke 14:35 were not unwholesome, or filthy, or coarse but simply descriptive. It is twisting Scripture evilly to make it in any way support your sin of speech.

I think language is wonderful, beautiful, even, at times. But there are words and phrases that are low, foul, crude - or crummy, as I put it, and commonly recognized in various cultures as such. These words and phrases vary across cultures, changing over time, too, so making a list of them in Scripture would have been impossible. But in each culture, there is a general understanding of what words and phrases are foul and ungracious and which are not, so a biblical list of them is unnecessary.

God never made a complete list of wicked things you shouldn't do but this doesn't mean you can pluck the eyes out of the neighbor's cat for fun, or boil your Grandmother in a vat of oil, or give illicit drugs to children. The Bible never says not to do these particular things, to follow your specious logic, but there is no question that these things are wrong - just like a specific and exhaustive list of words and phrases that fall under "corrupt or unwholesome" isn't required to know, in any particular culture, which words and phrases are generally regarded as offensive and foul.



The Bible tells us to challenge sin where we encounter it, to rebuke it, and expose it and reject it.

Ephesians 5:4-11
4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
5 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.
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
7 Therefore do not be partakers with them;
8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light
9 (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth),
10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them;

John 7:24 (NASB)
24 "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment."

1 Corinthians 5:11-12 (NASB)
11 But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one.
12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church?

1 Timothy 5:20 (NASB)
20 Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning.

2 Timothy 4:2 (NASB)
2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.

If this is in your estimation "tearing down," well, then, so be it. I will obey the command of God before conceding to the twisting of logic and Scripture of one who wishes to condone his sin.



I don't agree. The purpose of your speech matters, yes, but as I pointed out, in each culture there are words and phrases everyone understands fall under the category of crude and foul language and so are out-of-bounds for the Christian in that culture who wants to be an effective, holy representative of Christ.

It is a...dangerous habit to get into, resorting to slippery, specious reasoning in order to protect your sin. The first casualty of doing this is intimate, joyful fellowship with God. You can't really, deeply enjoy God when you're making such efforts to condone what He condemns.

But where does he condemn words for bodily functions or names for animals?
That's a human culture condemnation, not a God condemnation and I think it is an unfair condemnation and worse to attribute such a condemnation to God.

 

[Jamdoc]

I cannot understand how more Christians do not think this way! This is exactly how we should carry ourselves in this life and walk with Jesus Christ.

You all need to think of it this way, if you were sitting next to Jesus right now, would you use such language? I mean, REALLY thnk deep about this.

Also, consider this: At every job interview you have ever had, did you curse? I consider this life the biggest job interview we can ever have. That job interview is with God and we are trying to get to heaven. Do everything that you can to impress your boss lol

Depends on if Jesus Himself told me He didn't like those kinds of terms. Otherwise... sure, sometimes I'd like to talk to Jesus in an informal, friendly manner. I LIKE talking to my friends.
To put it into military terms, everyone prefers the leaders that will tell you at ease and to speak freely, over the ones who told you to stand at attention and always required formality.
There's times and place for formality, and have your nerves on edge, and times where it's nice to be at ease and speak freely.

 

[Jamdoc]

If you believe the behavior is acceptable what’s the point of the thread? I don’t solicit opinions on things that don’t warrant questions. But maybe that’s me.

In my experience, threads like this usually fall in two areas: uncertainty and validation. The bible says, death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

You’re expending a lot of energy to defend a practice no one questioned. You brought it up. It would be different if the issue was raised during a discussion. But that isn’t the case (to my knowledge). You introduced the topic.

I surmise option two is the answer and you’re looking for confirmation and like-minded persons.

Yours in His Service,

~bella

There is some uncertainty, and I guess the main uncertainty is whether or not I should be a nuisance to my friends when they use Jesus or God as a curse.