Gone are the days when my kids considered “stupid” a bad word. I wish I could go back to when they were innocent to cuss words, but the world took that innocence away. Just like it did for me years ago, and as I’m sure it did for you, too. We live in a society of potty mouths, where people curse and take the Lord’s name in vain unrestrained.
Culture says cuss words are simply words. They aren’t that bad and using profanity doesn’t mean we’re wicked; we’re simply using slang. Or words to get a point across. Or to add to the humor to a joke. But is this true? And what does it matter to us as believers?
Consider what the Word says vs. what the world says about cuss words.
According to God’s Word, the world has it wrong, and believers should take this seriously. Because, you see, Matthew 15:18 (NIV) says, “…the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.”
Our words reveal our heart’s condition. Period. Crude, rude, foul, demeaning, and hateful language shows our true character. And for a Christ-follower — someone setting an example and sent on a commission from Jesus to make disciples — this simply “should not be.”
James 3:9-10 (NIV) states, “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.”
We cannot send up praise to God with the same tongue we use to cuss and take the Lord’s name in vain. If we do, we’re hypocrites.
I’ve been one. I’ve had a corrupt heart, thinking my words weren’t hurting anyone, then praising God minutes later. But I decided not to be that person anymore. And I’m willing to bet, if you’re reading this right now, you too desire to be good and true and wholesome.
But how can we counteract a culture that uses this type of language? How can we break our bad habits and keep our words clean in our everyday life?
I don’t have a concrete, easy answer, but I’d like to offer a few places to start.
1. We must stop taking the Lord’s name in vain.
The third Commandment says, “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” (Deuteronomy 5:11 NIV)
Very literally some of God’s first orders are to give His name the proper reverence. I’ve found many, Christians and otherwise, are unaware they’re committing this sin with a common, flippant phrase. So, what is it?
Most would agree that yelling, “Jesus Christ!” when they’re angry applies here…and this may rattle some cages or stir some hearts…but the other expression is, “Oh my God.”
