WHAT THE
#%@#$! IS WRONG WITH CUSSING?
“Set a guard over my mouth O’Lord; keep a watch over the door of
my
lips.” Psalm 141:3
Our
local newspaper carries a bi-weekly feature on “Ask the Clergy”. A variety of ethical and religious issues
are raised in this column but the one, which really caught my attention focused
on a reader’s question: “Is it a sin to cuss?”
Three clergymen from different faiths responded to the query. Amazingly, the strongest statements that
emerged from these spiritual “leaders” were: “ ...cussing seems to be fairly
minor in the overall scheme of
things” and “There are things a lot worse than a cuss word here and there.” They did exercise considerable care to
differentiate between the terms cussing, cursing and swearing but such
theological distinctions without their application to everyday life were
unconvincing. This seemingly religious
acceptance or at least their lack of condemnation of cussing may help explain
why we have or are becoming a nation of “potty mouths”!
It is no secret that cussing is on the rise. Everyone --- kids on up --- seem addicted
to the use of four letter words. It
bristles from music lyrics, TV, radio and movies and often from one’s own family
and friends. Our sound waves seem
polluted by foul language.
But what about the
original question directed at the clergymen?
“Is it a sin to cuss?” While it
is true that the actual phrase, “Thou Shalt Not Cuss.” is not found in the Bible,
however, Scripture certainly does not give us liberty to cuss at will. Even though the exact forbiddance cannot be
found, I certainly do NOT think that cussing is acceptable despite its
increasing use even in polite society and its lack of condemnation by some
clergy. It really all comes down to the
Godly control of our language or conversation so that our words reflect the
presence of the Holy Spirit dwelling within each believer!
My answer to the question, “Is it a
sin to cuss?” is: yes, cussing is definitely sinful!! The Bible makes it abundantly clear! Ephesians 4:29 cautions us, “Do not let any
unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful building up
according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” 1 Peter 3:10 declares, “For, whoever would
love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from
deceitful speech.” James concisely
summarizes the whole issue, “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and
with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praising and
cursing. My brothers, this should not
be. Can both water and salt water flow
from the same spring? My brothers, can
a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.” These verses make it clear that we should
only allow good and positive things come out of our mouths – things that will
encourage other people. Hopefully, most
people would agree that cussing does not do either!
One researcher studying the topic of profane language among
high school students reports that when interviewing groups of young people they
were asked if they routinely cussed.
Not too surprisingly almost everyone – both girls and boys - raised
their hands. Their response to the
next question might be illuminating for us as parents and grandparents. When asked if their parents use profanity,
over three quarters of the kids nodded in affirmation. The percentage is only somewhat less – about
45 % -- when they were quizzed on whether their grandparents cussed. Is it possible that our children learn from
us that cussing is acceptable and not sinful?
The intensity of my anti-cussing position primarily emanates
from impact of Christians cussing has on non-believers. Can
you really imagine Jesus using that kind of language? And if I, as His representative in and to this world, use a
variety of cuss words, what impression do they get of what being a Christian
really involves? Shouldn’t my speech
make me different from the non-believer?
With a background
in the military and as a railroad worker, I learned my fair share of cuss words
and used them with regularity. My
epiphany came with the birth of our first child. The reality of being an example to my child made me look at
myself and decide in light of what He entrusted to us, I needed to make
significant changes in my life beginning with my off-color speech. Further, I recognized that I could not do it
by myself. However, Christians are never
asked to be do-it-selfers. Through the
guidance and strength of the Holy Spirit my language usage completely changed
and more closely reflected that which He desired of me as a Christian parent.
My system of
rooting out cuss words might not be appropriate for everyone. However, for those sincerely desiring to
change there is a web-site* with numerous suggestions and even a book is
available, Cuss Control: The Complete Book on How to Curb Your Cussing. However, as each of us knows bad habits are easier to adopt than to
erase. A couple of self-helps are: Imagine that your Grandmother or children
are listening; Tell your friends that you’re trying to quit cussing; or
Establish a penalty jar wherein you put in a set amount of money for any cuss
words you utter. Although some or a
combination of techniques might work, I believe the prime motivator must be the
recognition that as members of His family, we have a duty to honor Him both in
word and deed.
*www.cusscontrol.com