Swearing

First let me say that I found 77's post thought provoking.

Second, cursing or foul language can really hurt a believers witness. We are told to sepperate our selves from the world. One of the ways non believers recognize believers are our attitudes and our manner of speach. If we use profanity then we have lost half of our difference. They will see us as no different number one, and two they might see us as a hypocrit.

Third, I used to use a couple of words that wouldn't probably concidered as curse words all through high school and college. My friends thought it was funny to hear me mutter them, and would sometimes say it if I didn't(then laugh). One thing is that I wouldn't say those comments infront of my mom out of respect. Kinda like I hold door for my mom, I won't spit in front of my mom. I was taught to have respect for women. I got to thinking one day was I being disrespectful to God. The answer was yes. So I stopped. Every once in a while when aggrivated I will mutter "ah man" or call a person who cut me off a "jerk," but I am trying to cut that down too. I have a temper and have been working on it for years. My rage did God no good, so it had to go. To those who feel it is neccisary to speak colorfully at jobs or with certain people, I would have to disagree. Some of my most threatening moments were done with silence. You can be authoritative without being foul.

I would urge everyone to think about your witness before you speak. Think whether or not you believe God would be glad to hear what you have to say.

 

I use to swear "before" and then I only swore when I was hurt or angry "after" until my husband made me see that a lot of people judged your sincerity on your choice of words. As I thought about that I realized that perhaps God thought along the same lines. I quit swearing but I also quit thinking of the words. It was hard but I managed. Now when I kick the coffee table I think and say "Pain, I'm in pain". Or if I become angry I simplely state my anger to the person that I am angry with. In the rare time that I think a swear word the scripture comes to me about blessing God and cursing man with the same mouth. And I say a prayer of repentance.
My husband still views people as Christian or non-Christian by their language. At least he uses that as a starting point to determine wheather or not they might be a Christian.

 

This morning I had opportunity to speak with a teacher at the Canadian Police College. I asked him directly about using foul language to impress a criminal under apprehension. So far as I know, this chap is not a professing Christian.
His response: No! We do not advocate the mr. tough guy approach. In cities, however, and when dealing with such groups as Hell's Angels, it becomes a different scenario. Tough talk seems to work better....they have "more" respect for the tough cop.
He asked if I was told this my a police officer. I said, Yes,,an American cop. His answer, not mine, we do not advocate American-style protocol. They are dealing with a different social structure.
Somehow, I can't find myself to use language that I wouldn't use in the pulpit.
I guess, however, if one as close to the living Christ as Peter was, could curse and swear and deny the Lord at the Lord's trial (Matt 26:69-75), we should not be so smug in thinking that it is impossible for us, given the right circumstances.

Cheers in the Lord,

Jim

 

The Word of God has a lot to say about this area. Here are a few thoughts.

1. Every word that comes out of our mouth should bring honor and glory to God.
Col 3:17 "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him."

2. Nothing evil should ever be spoken by a Christian.
Eph 4:29 "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."

3. A person who uses profanity needs to examine themselves regarding their relationship with God.
Mat 7:15 "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit."

James 3:11 "Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?"

There is an old saying that says, "If it ain't in the well, it won't come up in the bucket."

 

I was amused by a paragraph in the book "My Journey", the autobiography of Dr Ronert H Schuller (a Reformed Church in America pastor):

When I was young, s-h-i-t was something on our shoes when we stepped in the pig pens. b-i-t-c-h was an animal that was right for breeding. and d-a-m-n-e-d was what we boys were if our mother ever heard us use either of those words.

I'm amused, however, that you can say "damn" on tv, but you can't say "sh*t". If you think of it, which is worse. Both are swearing, but the word that's allowed is blasphemous.