| Poster | Thread | ccchhhrrriiisss
Member
Joined: 2003/11/23
Posts: 4779
| | Re: | | Good points.
I think that I react differently when I hear a member of the world say a "cuss" word. Since they don't know the Lord, I almost expect their words to be mingled with such coarse, ungodly language.
It is much more shocking to hear such language come from believers. I am shocked by those who share their faith...and mingle their testimony with such language.
Quote:
10 After Jesus called the crowd to Him, He said to them, Hear and understand. 11 It is not what enters into the mouth that defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man.
Matthew 15:10-11 NASB
I have spoken with people in the past who pointed out believers who publicly use such language as an example of hypocrisy. This served as a stumbling block to their receptivity to the Gospel.
Now, I do know that some people are unaware that certain words are considered "cuss" words. In THE CROSS AND THE SWITCHBLADE, David Wilkerson recounts the moment that he learned that gang leader Nicky Cruz had given his life to Jesus. Brother Wilkerson stood there...shocked...almost unbelieving that Nicky had actually converted to Christ. Nicky Cruz reiterated it to Brother Wilkerson by including an expletive.
I attended a meeting as a teenager where a young man shared his testimony. He was a recent convert to Christ and was sharing his story. During his testimony, he unwittingly inserted a cuss word...and was immediately embarrassed. The preacher that day kindly encouraged him...and joked to the congregation, "He's saved, Church...but he isn't totally sanctified yet."
Quote:
22 "But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, 'Raca,' shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, 'Thou fool,' shall be in danger of hell fire."
Matthew 5:22 KJV
There are different modes of such language. Like music (a language of itself) our speech can be a beautiful melody, a weapon or convoluted by needless (or harmful) notes. While most believers will refrain from certain words, I have heard professing believers use coarse language in their everyday speech that is quite shocking.
Quote:
15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; 21 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.
Ephesians 5:15-21
I have heard believers -- especially youth -- beginning to incorporate language in their conversations that is unbecoming of the Bride of Christ. I have spoken to one person (who noticed the look on my face) and she even defended it because she "is under grace." Now, this isn't the "F" word (or obvious "evil" expletives). This is words like saying that a pair of shoes "were bad" (inserting a cuss word), using "Hell" loosely ("What the...") and describing a mood ("... off"). I even heard a youth leader utter the word "damn" by itself just because of something he saw.
Quote:
15 Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.
Song of Solomon 2:15 KJV
15 Catch the foxes for us,
The little foxes that are ruining the vineyards,
While our vineyards are in blossom.
Song of Solomon 2:15 NASB
One thing that I have noticed is that such language seems to be used by people who might be pushing the limits when it comes to worldliness. From my perspective and experience, many of these individuals also push other limits of decency -- such as the way they dress, their habits, or the things that they do or participate in.
The girl that I mentioned who was defending her choice of language as being "under grace" was also wearing a pair of shorts that revealed 80% (or more) of her legs. The youth minister who uttered that word is one who goes out of his way to be appealing to youth in the way he speaks, dresses and does other things. So, it could be that such language is a reflection of a heart where certain aspects of "self" and "ego" haven't been surrendered to the Lord.
Quote:
1 Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.
3 Now if we put the bits into the horses mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. 4 Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. 5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.
See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!
6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. 7 For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race.
8 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing.
My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.
11 Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.
James 3:1-12
I suppose that it is akin to people who fancy themselves to be ministers of the Gospel -- or even pastors and prophets -- but who also gossip or lack love within their words when speaking with others. As Paul said, the result is "as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal" (I Corinthians 13:1).
The language that we use is something that reflects our hearts. When we incorporate coarse or questionable language, the result is a question about the condition of our hearts. Continuing with James 3...
Quote:
13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.
14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.
15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.
17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. 18 And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
James 3:13-18
May God help us to be pure in our hearts...thoughts...and words!
_________________
Christopher
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|  2011/9/13 14:05 | Profile | MaryJane
Member
Joined: 2006/7/31
Posts: 3057
| | Re: | | I went to a seeker sensitive church for along time and not only was swearing pretty common but sadly there were many of the other moms that would take Gods name in vain and not even think about it. I was really shocked by this. Of course most times when these things happen if you attempt to share with the person they become defensive and tell you not to judge.
Edit: I decided to edit this because I realize it might cause others to go off topic and I wanted to mindful of Krispy intent when he created this thread.
God bless
maryjane |
| | 2011/9/13 14:11 | Profile | Renoncer
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| | | 2011/9/13 14:32 | Profile | Pandarus
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Joined: 2010/3/25
Posts: 53
Queensland, Australia
| | Re: | | Cussing? What is that? I take it you mean swearing?
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Nick van der Net
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| | 2011/9/13 16:20 | Profile | ccchhhrrriiisss
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| | | 2011/9/13 16:42 | Profile | DEADn
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Joined: 2011/1/12
Posts: 1395
Lakeland FL
| | Re: "Christians" cussing | | All I can say is WOW on this topic. It is a pet peeve of mine. I actually posted this on a secular site dealing with politics and religion. There is one person on that site who tries his best to debate athiests but he does it with cussing so I sent him a PM on it. His reponse was essentially that it is better to get the truth out even if there is some cussing then if you don't speak the truth at all.
In my view a person who can't keep his tongue has a character issue, as a christian. But then it goes beyond the cussing factor, that can go to spreading rumors as well but for the purposes of this post I stay with cussing.
What reasons do christians have to allowing foul language out of their mouths? What is a cuss word in english may not be in say, spsnish but in english it exists and is reality.
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John
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| | 2011/9/13 16:44 | Profile | Sree
Member
Joined: 2011/8/20
Posts: 1953
| | Re: Christians Cussing | | A Christian should turn away from the pattern of the world and should be confined to the pattern of God (Romans 14).
If world considers a particular words as cuss then let is not come from my mouth so that I stand apart from its pattern.
We should also be careful in not judging those who still using such words thinking that it is cool because the world things such words are cool. Because I know that such words show me worldly but there might be many other things in me in which I am still worldly. The same God who freed me from this will also free me from rest of them.
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Sreeram
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| | 2011/9/13 16:56 | Profile | MrBillPro
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Joined: 2005/2/24
Posts: 3422
Texas
| | Re: | | Did not ever have a cussing problem here, my Dad would have slapped my head in a circle, that's is what he used to tell us if we ever cussed, "I'll slap your head in a circle" I never wanted to find out how that felt, so even up into today, no cussing issue's here.
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Bill
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| | 2011/9/13 18:24 | Profile | ginnyrose
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Joined: 2004/7/7
Posts: 7534
Mississippi
| | Confronting bad language | | We were gone for a few days and when we came home I found this thread...just want to let you brothers know your convictions on this issue encourage me.
Now I do have a question: it seems as though people in the deep south are more prone to profanity then the north, regardless of 'faith' and a person gets used to hearing it! Dreadful! Don't like it, but it no longer shocks...SIGH Anyhow, what is the best way to confront someone who used bad language?
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Sandra Miller
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| | 2011/9/13 18:44 | Profile | ccchhhrrriiisss
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Posts: 4779
| | Re: Confronting bad language | | Hi Sister Ginnyrose,
Quote:
Anyhow, what is the best way to confront someone who used bad language?
I directly asked a guy in our Christian student organization about his choice of language. He did the same thing...playing the victim about his "freedom" to use such language and how only "religious" people (as if the "religious" word were a negative and condescending as in "religious spirit") would have a problem with it.
I simply reminded him that there are still standards in this world. I asked him if he would picture Jesus using such language.
His response: "I'm not Jesus."
I told him, "But you are! You are the ambassador of Christ to the people of this lost world! You are also part of the BODY of Christ! Who would want Christ's body to be engaged in sin? Who would want the Body of our Savior to use cuss words like this?"
I explained that the "religious spirit" nonsense that is sputtered by many post-modern (aka WORLDLY) churches could be used to defend ANY type of behavior! It has been used to defend sexual immorality -- and even homosexuality!
I told him that there is still a standard called "holy" that the Lord kept when He walked this world. And He still holds us to that standard. The Lord Himself said, "Be ye holy for I am holy" (I Peter 1:16). However, I reminded him that holiness is a condition of the heart...that is reflected by our thoughts, actions, conduct and, yes, mouth. A "dirty mouth" is even identified by the world as behind such.
He knew that I was serious...but also sincere, gentle and looking out for him. He apologized and asked me to pray for him. He also admitted that his walk with Christ was not what he was trying to make it out to be...and that he was struggling with many sins. I think that the language that he was using was just all of that worldliness on the inside making its way out.
Thankfully, this young man made things right with God.
:-)
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Christopher
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| | 2011/9/13 19:48 | Profile |
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