Swearing

[BrokenWarrior]

So in your opinion, does society determine what can and cannot be said? Does this determine what is sin?

Which part of society is most strict on words that somehow have been labeled as bad? Christians or non-Christians? If it's Christians, do you think it's right to, as a group, play the biggest role in creating and enforcing a rule which has no basis in Scripture?

1> By no means, God Himself and He alone chooses what is right and wrong; and what is sin or not.

2> Not sure, I think most modest people in general have kinda labeled certain words "bad", but I suppose it derived from us believers...

3> Actually I don't think believers are creating a rule, I can't seem to remember the exact address right now, but if memory serves me I think I recall a passege in Scripture that mentions that cursing is wrong... I know it was in the New Testament, and I believe it was Paul who was talking about it.

-The Lowest Servant

 

[BornAgainBrian]

I'm afraid I can't answer for others but I do believe that hypocrisy in some way or another is something that (every)one needs to work on.

However I do accept that as a Christian - there are standards set for me ... in the Bible by which I will be held to account, e.g. Hebrews 4: 12-13

Although numerous people use those kinds of words in their everyday lives, the words are nevertheless considered to be offensive, vulgar etc by society in general .... and kids e.g. are (supposed to be) protected from such .... movie ratings, etc.

Although there are synonyms, I personally believe that expletives whether used intentionally or unintentionally have more of a destructive intent and effect - and in my case as a Christian I felt that in my endeavour to grow spiritually and to become more holy I had to correct this area of hypocrisy in my life. I considered using such words to be "obscene, foolish talk, coarse joking" Eph 5:4. it was "filthy language" Col 3:8 and it was not what God desired of me. I personally could not read those scriptures and then try and find any justification for using bad words anymore ... it exposed some of my motives especially in striving to become more spiritual and holy.

I think that each Christian would have to consider how they personally understand those kinds of scriptures e.g. as mentioned above and what they refer to because the Bible is referring to words and language that God does not want us to use.

So for you, whatever society says is filthy language is so? Do you think it is more Christians or non-Christians who label these words as obscene? If it's mostly Christians, isn't it hypocritical to assign the label of obscenity to something without any Scriptural basis for that thing being obscene?

 

[Soul2Soul]

So for you, whatever society says is filthy language is so? Do you think it is more Christians or non-Christians who label these words as obscene? If it's mostly Christians, isn't it hypocritical to assign the label of obscenity to something without any Scriptural basis for that thing being obscene?

I don't think it is down to one or the other to label those words as obscene .. it is more likely a combination of Christians and non-Christians, as you present it.

Can I ask, what kinds of words and/or language do you think the Bible is referring to in those scriptures I referenced?

 

[BornAgainBrian]

I think of course language as the message presented in the words one says. I don't really see any evidence that one word should be favored over its synonym. Foul language is language that presents a foul message.

 

[CFAntiseptic]

Seriously?

Thou shalt not take the name of of the Lord thy God in vain.



Colossians 3:8 ESV

But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.

Ephesians 4:29 ESV

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Matthew 15:10-11 ESV

And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”

Matthew 12:36-37 ESV

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

James 3:10 ESV

From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

 

[BornAgainBrian]

So what makes these four letter words necessarily fit the Biblical definition of "obscene talk" or "cursing" Who gets to decide that?

 

[CFAntiseptic]

So what makes these four letter words necessarily fit the Biblical definition of "obscene talk" or "cursing" Who gets to decide that?

The Holy Spirit.

 

[BornAgainBrian]

The Holy Spirit.

Can you prove that the Holy Spirit has made this decree?

 

[CFAntiseptic]

Can you prove that the Holy Spirit has made this decree?

Are you going to ignore my original post? From God's (yes, the HS) word:
Why do you argue this? Do you enjoy swearing?

Seriously?

Thou shalt not take the name of of the Lord thy God in vain.



Colossians 3:8 ESV

But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.

Ephesians 4:29 ESV

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Matthew 15:10-11 ESV

And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”

Matthew 12:36-37 ESV

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

James 3:10 ESV

From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
__________________

 

[BornAgainBrian]

The verse says obscene talk. What exactly is it that makes a particular word obscene, but not its synonym?

The verse said corrupting talk. What exactly makes a particular word corrupting and not its synonym?

How about cursing? What makes one word cursing but not its synonym?

 

[StephanieSomer]

The Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit didn't post that. You did. I don't think He has written anything denoting specifically which words are sinful. And He surely hasn't said anything about the synonymous words that are commonly used instead by many Christians.

So, it comes right back down to the definition of specific words as sin is being made by society, as Brian keeps pointing out. Do we follow the teachings of men, or of God?

In truth, there are no words which in themselves are sin. Sin is not an action, a word, or a thing. It is an attitude. The utterance of any word whatsoever, if used in an attitude of malice or hate, could be sinful.

Sin isn't outside of us. It is within us. So, outward regulations are worthless. Actually, a Scriptural argument could very easily be made that strict conformance to such regulations in an effort to achieve or display righteousness is, in itself, sinful. That is EXACTLY what the Pharisees in Christ's time were condemned for.

 

[StephanieSomer]

Fudge! Crap! Crikey! Dang! Darn! Son of a biscuit-eater! Screw it! That sux! That blows! Bloody!

Every one of these I have heard used in place of the more extreme words. The intent of each is identical to the intent of the extreme ones. Emphasis.

While I do find the over-use of any of them, extreme or not, to be quite base, the occasional splattering of such words, extreme or not, has no effect on my sensibilities and I recognize their use for what they are, emphasis.

So, to re-address Brian's repeated question, what exactly makes these words NOT sinful in the eyes of most Christians, while the use of the more extreme ones AS sin?

 

[Soul2Soul]

I think of course language as the message presented in the words one says. I don't really see any evidence that one word should be favored over its synonym. Foul language is language that presents a foul message.

Yes thats true about the message, but I still have issues about the choice of words being used. A coarse, foul, filthy etc message can be delivered in words that contain no coarse, foul filthy, etc words, but what would be the reason/intention to include one or more coarse, foul, filthy etc words in everyday language, especially if dealing with children?

Dare I even question whether anyone would include such words in their prayers?

I just feel uneasy about the notion that certain words should be considered almost inoffensive simply because they have "equality of meaning" with their synonyms?

 

[BrokenWarrior]

So, to re-address Brian's repeated question, what exactly makes these words NOT sinful in the eyes of most Christians, while the use of the more extreme ones AS sin?

It's simply because they don't sound as vulgar as the other ones, so we assume it's not cursing...

let me reiterate, I say we ASSUME they're not considered bad because "They're not quite the same thing", when in reality, as I pointed out in my previous posts, they are still wrong because they are still being used to curse something.

I could be wrong, but in my opinion it's what's meant, not the words used...

-The Lowest Servant

 

[StephanieSomer]

It's simply because they don't sound as vulgar as the other ones, so we assume it's not cursing...

let me reiterate, I say we ASSUME they're not considered bad because "They're not quite the same thing", when in reality, as I pointed out in my previous posts, they are still wrong because they are still being used to curse something.

I could be wrong, but in my opinion it's what's meant, not the words used...

-The Lowest Servant

...to you

 

[BrokenWarrior]

...to you

Beg your pardon?

Are you agreeing with me or arguing my point?

 

[StephanieSomer]

"It's simply because they don't sound as vulgar as the other ones..." to you.

 

[StephanieSomer]

Honestly, I am not arguing whether or not any particular words are Scripturally acceptable or not. That isn't my point. My point is that it is much too common among the brethren to make assumptions about God's character and will. It's too easy to assume He is against whatever we happen to find disturbing. To make such assumptions on God is not simply a possible mistake. It is sin. We are not called to enforce our own OR God's standards on anyone. We are called to be salt and light. Salt makes no sound, it flavors. It provides something for outsiders to experience and realize the goodness of God. Light makes no sound. It simply lightens the way. We make huge blunders in the spread of the Gospel when we make attempts to enforce anything on anyone else. Christ never did so in His ministry here. Nor did He instruct His disciples to do so. His instruction was to declare the good news and to teach. Whom are we to teach? Outsiders? That would be meaningless. My only purpose in this thread is to make people think and consider where their ideas of right and wrong are coming from and whether or not they have a Biblical commission to teach or otherwise enforce their ideas on anyone else. The entire context of Romans 14 is well suited to this discussion. I won't quote the text. You can read it for yourself. But, please read it as a complete unit and not try to parse it into meaningless pieces.

 

[BrokenWarrior]

"It's simply because they don't sound as vulgar as the other ones..." to you.

Never said I condoned them... was just answering your question as to why they're generally accepted while the harsher sounding words are not...

Am I missing something here?


And I wasn't forcing a belief on anyone, was just having a discussion about cursing...

I myself try to make it a point to live as flawlessly as I can, I know I'll never be flawless(While in this life), and I struggle with a very bad sin myself right now, but nonetheless I'm striving toward the crown and trying to behave as The Lord asks...

Ephesians 4:29
"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."



James 3:10
"From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so."

-The Lowest Servant

 

[MissRowy]

There are things that God does not like and swearing is one of them. I have sworn but I never take the Lords name in vain. I feel truly awful when I do.