After writing an article showing that the Bible stands opposed to profanity, I have been given some questions and objections. My goal, in writing this article, is to answer some of them. Some would classify profanity as a “disputable matter.” I wouldn’t. But even if you do try to do that, I still don’t think you can justify profanity. If you have questions on disputable matters, read the article I wrote on them. If there are any more questions and objections that you are dealing with, please send them to me, to see if we can find the answer. Also, if you have a better answer than the ones I give, please send those to me as well.
Question: Who decides what words are “cuss words?”
Answer: That’s a good one. And it’s probably the most common question when dealing with profanity. Noah Webster defined profanity as, “Irreverence of sacred things; particularly, the use of language which implies irreverence towards God; the taking of God’s name in vain.” It would seem that this is more directed at taking God’s name in vain. While that is very clearly wrong, there’s actually more to it. The definition also includes, “the use of language which implies irreverence towards God.” We are called to do all that we do to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31).
Some would like to narrow profanity down only to taking God’s name in vain. And some would widen that gap to include using words to curse or cut others down. While both of these instances are examples of profanity, I think we should go deeper. It all comes down to this question: “Are we bringing glory to God in our speech?” I must admit, answering this question brought me to a place of self-examination and repentance. How often do we, as Christians, exchange a well-known cuss word with a word that is “acceptable?” You know what I’m talking about. But we shouldn’t do that. We shouldn’t even talk about things that don’t glorify God. I’ve been convicted over the years for using “exchange words,” but I definitely struggle with talking about things that don’t glorify God.
The path of Christianity is a narrow one. We must seek to be holy as He is holy. That won’t happen overnight. Sanctification is a process. Realizing that we fall far short of the glory of God is an integral part of that process.
So, to answer this question, I would say that we shouldn’t worry about who decides which words are “cuss words.” We should just focus on bringing glory to God in our speech.
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12)
“In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.” (Titus 2:7-8)
Objection: It’s appropriate to utter a curse word after slamming your finger in a door or between a hammer and a board.
Answer: This would be a good example of a lack of self-control. It also exemplifies the verse we studied in the last article, “For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.” Of course, we won’t be happy when we are confronted with pain, but how we deal with this pain reveals the state of our heart. I think it’s okay to say, “Ouch!” when something like this happens, but it’s certainly not appropriate to say a cuss word. One of the fruits of the Spirit is self-control. Christ can cleanse your heart so that, when you smash you finger, you instantly turn to Christ, rather than a curse word. For out of the overflow of your heart your mouth speaks.
Objection: It [whether or not cussing is okay] depends on the circumstances. If you are using cuss words to curse a person or are using them to take the Lord’s name in vain then yes, cursing is wrong. Also, if you use the words around a person who believes that using them makes you a bad person, thus a bad Christian (which then reflects on all Christianity and Christians), then yes cussing is wrong…Likewise if you are with a group of like minded friends who believe that the occasional curse word does make you a worse person nor believe that it makes Christianity a religion of hypocrites, and ultimately does nothing to bring them further from God nor hinders them from growing closer to God, then yes cussing is fine. Context is everything.
Answer: I would have to disagree with this premise. Context is not everything. That’s not much different than saying, “Everything is relative.” Circumstances do not dictate right and wrong. God’s Word does. And there are many more Scriptures that speak against profanity.
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (Ephesians 4:29)
“But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.” (Colossians 3:8)
“Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” (James 3:5-6)
There are some issues that the Bible calls “disputable.” Profanity is not one of them. You are treading on thin ice when you begin to justify this type of behavior. When you do, you’re lighting a spark that can set a forest on fire. The next thing you know, you will justify drinking, then perhaps lust, etc. We are the light of the world. Are you shining the light of Christ?
Though circumstances don’t dictate morality, let me still answer these objections. If you’re hanging out with friends who don’t know Christ, you are sinning greatly if you cuss around them. If you have the light of Christ within you, they will apologize when they let a cuss word slip around you. And why would you practice something that you can’t do around true Christians? Would you cuss around Christ?
I hope I have given adequate answers to these questions. What it all comes down to is this: Who are you seeking to please? Christ or your flesh? I used to have the vilest mouth you could think of. But now my desire is to please my Heavenly Father. God delivered me from my foul language and I couldn’t imagine returning to that filth. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things have passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
For His Glory,
Adam Tennant
Posted by akatennant 
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