Why Legalism?

[versastyle]

Is there any BIBLICAL reason why Christians should view any of these statements as immoral, evil, or sinful:

1. Thats awful.
2. That stinks.
3. That sucks.
4. Thats bullsh*t.

I am still trying to find out why Christians feel there is an obligation, AS A CHRISTIAN, to find offense to any of these statements.

Thanks for anyone that can help.

God Bless.

 

[jbarcher]

Hm...depends on how they are used.

But, I would generally only have a reaction to the fourth one. BS rather than said. Though, I can't think of a situation where I would actually say either BS or said.

 

[Phoebe]

I suppose because our words should bring glory to God.
I am not quite so legalistic. I do have a problem with someone taking the Lord's name in vain.

 

[JVAC]

Jesus said "It isn't the things that go into a person that makes them dirty, it is the things that come out of him". I don't necessarily agree with the people who say that words are dirty, but instead I focus on the Spirit of how things were said. Does your language build up or tear down? bullsh** can be used in a comical setting and induce a lot of laughter, however, it could be used to tear someone down. Language must be used in the Spirit of Love, wherein all words are permissable as long as they are said in Love (not fake love, Love Love)

I really agree with Phoebe here too, "Whatever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father by Him." Col 3:17 1Cor 12:3

 

[versastyle]

I understand how our words should bring glory to God, but stating how you might not like something, or how you might think something is stupid or BS or whatever is merely an expression of opinion. So biblically, since opinions are just opinions and in some case have no relevance to God's glory, should we refrain from expressing opinion?

 

[JVAC]

Matthew 5:37 "Simply let your Yes be Yes, and your No, be No; anything behond this comes from the evil one." I'll let you inerpret that how you will.

 

[versastyle]

As it is fully read (commonly used verse to judge slang):

[font=verdana,arial,helvetica]5:33 [/font][font=verdana,arial,helvetica]Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: [/font][font=verdana,arial,helvetica][font=verdana,arial,helvetica]5:34 B[/font][font=verdana,arial,helvetica]ut I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: [/font][font=verdana,arial,helvetica]5:35 [/font][font=verdana,arial,helvetica]Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. [/font][font=verdana,arial,helvetica]5:36 [/font][font=verdana,arial,helvetica]Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. [/font][font=verdana,arial,helvetica]5:37 [/font][font=verdana,arial,helvetica]But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.[/font][/font]

These verses are in reference to oaths, not your usage of language.

 

[JVAC]

I think someone has the KJV

However, the wisdom of the statement can still come through. That you do less evil if you just answer yes or no rather than Heck yeah, or No way jose, etc.

But of course, it doesn't bother me all that much. Just thought I would send you some info, if something else comes to me I'll relay it on, I think I remember a proverb, but I don't know where to find it.

 

[versastyle]

Ok thank you.

The reason I bring up this issue is because I work at a Christian radio station and its a very controversial subject when it comes to the lyrical content of an artist, and what music we should listen to and/or play.

 

[jbarcher]

Hm...I guess you should always ask, "Does this glorify God?"

 

[versastyle]

Do opinions glorify God? Like:

That steak tastes bad.

or

That steak tastes like dung.

or

That steak tastes like sh*t.

Or should we not say anything about the steak?

 

[EdmundBlackadderTheThird]

I will leave these up to you, but I would say that not saying anything may be the best option.

MATTHEW 12:36 "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment."
37 "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

PROVERBS 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

PROVERBS 15:2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly; but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.

EPHESIANS 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

EPHESIANS 5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

COLOSSIANS 3:8 But now you must also put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.

I think those might answer your question.

 

[versastyle]

Those verses fall on everyone's daily talk. It sounds like all those are saying we should refrain from any talk at all that isn't uplifting or Godly. So in essence, its still not arguing for the Christian ban on certain words, but arguing that we shouldn't speak unless the intentions are for absolute good.
Well this would make talking about your favorite shoes a sin.

In fact one could argue that one could use "cuss words" in Godly purposes.

For instance on giving advice:

You shouldn't watch that -insert explicitive-. It is ****ing full of sinful behavior.

 

[A. believer]

Is there any BIBLICAL reason why Christians should view any of these statements as immoral, evil, or sinful:

1. Thats awful.
2. That stinks.
3. That sucks.
4. Thats bullsh*t.

I am still trying to find out why Christians feel there is an obligation, AS A CHRISTIAN, to find offense to any of these statements.

Thanks for anyone that can help.

God Bless.

I agree with those who say that our words should bring glory to God. Presuming they're not being used as personal insults, I can't imagine anyone having any problem with the first two. I must admit that I'm always taken aback by how casually #3 is used, even by people who I don't think of as being fond of crude language, considering what it's a reference to. People might regard me as an old fogey or something, but for Christians, I have a hard time believing that anyone could think that that kind of language glorifies God. As for number 4, that too strikes me as crude and harsh. Some people may not see it as such, but I think that the connotation is still bad enough in our culture that Christian's should give serious thought as to whether they might be able to express themselves in a more God-glorifying manner. Put it this way, I still cringe whenever I hear those expressions, especially from professing Christians, and if they strike me that way, I'm sure there are plenty of other people who are struck that way by them as well. I try to refrain from being too judgmental about those who use them, but since you're asking, I would just ask, why would a Christian want to deliberately speak in what many people consider vulgarities?

 

[versastyle]

Its more of a point A. Believer that we do not have a biblical justification for the "cringe" that you display when you hear those words, but should be more offended by some of their intentions.

And btw...The 4 statements above can be interchangeable by translation to mean the exact same thing and be intended the same so there is nothing Godly about cringing to any of them.

 

[A. believer]

Its more of a point A. Believer that we do not have a biblical justification for the "cringe" that you display when you hear those words, but should be more offended by some of their intentions.



And btw...The 4 statements above can be interchangeable by translation to mean the exact same thing and be intended the same so there is nothing Godly about cringing to any of them.

Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. (Ephesians 4:29)


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I'd call that verse (along with the many others posted by flesh99) sufficient biblical justification. Simply put, some language doesn't impart grace to the hearers, and crude references to sex acts and fecal matter as expressions of dissatisfaction fall into that category.

 

[versastyle]

Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. (Ephesians 4:29)












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I'd call that sufficient biblical justification. Simply put, some language doesn't impart grace to the hearers, and crude references to sex acts and fecal matter as expressions of dissatisfaction fall into that category.

Well that is your opinion. I see the multiple words of the English language to be interchangeable. The name Jimmy for instance means many things.




The following statement is not for necessary edification either, in regards to a child's rape just heard about on the news:

That is horrible.

So should we be offended by this statement as well?

 

[versastyle]

An illustration of todays legalistic Christian:

Jesus is walking down the street and hears a man in the corner say "Dude thats some dope ****". Jesus then covers his ears, cringes up his shoulders, and runs down the alley, grabbing up as many small children as he can along the way screaming "The devils work is back around the corner, run, run, run!"

I don't know but I would even find a conservative form of this story to be ridiculous.

I don't see Jesus cringing, frowning, or freaking out because someone is expressing an opinion about a piece of music or a car or anything else for that matter.

I see Jesus commenting on how the person is putting far too much emphasis and excitement on a material object.

 

[A. believer]

Do opinions glorify God? Like:

That steak tastes bad.

or

That steak tastes like dung.

or

That steak tastes like sh*t.

Or should we not say anything about the steak?

I guess that would depend on the intention of the person saying it. And your point that much of our everyday speech isn't glorifying to God is a good one and well worth making. But that point certainly doesn't justify lowering our standards still more.

 

[versastyle]

The problem is I have yet to find a standard we should be following biblically when it pertains to words, not intentions.

We are still making that jump from "corrupt words" to "the words momma said not to say".