“I SWEAR!!”
Comedian George Carlin made famous the, “Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television.” Depending on your region of origin, you may know these as, “cuss words, curse words, or swear words.” I would suppose that their most common use is that of an adjective but I have heard them used as pronouns as well. Although these words are commonly used in our everyday vernacular, I am questioning whether or not they are acceptable coming from the mouth of those of us claiming to be Christian.
In Colossians 3:8 Paul warns about the use of filthy language coming from the mouth of those claiming to be risen with Christ, (see also Eph 4:29). Although I would concede that the writer is not dealing specifically with the use of our 21st century swear words, I would submit that the verse teaches that there are words that are considered improper, abusive, or even vile. So my point is this: I think it is simply unbecoming of a Christian to swear. My feeling is that this particular use of words does not make us cool nor does it make us relevant. They certainly do not project The Kingdom as I have come to know it. I just can’t see Jesus dropping the “F-bomb.”
Being reared in the Northeast United States, in an Italian home, I can assure you that I have been exposed to my share of swear words. Even still there was a certain degree of etiquette in their usage. For example, we could never use them in front of women. Also, their usage was prohibited in the presence of young children. Most importantly, we would most certainly be damned to hell should they be used inside church. The rule at my house was if we siblings were heard using these words our mouths were washed with soap. Be real – Everyone knows that there is something different about swear words. Just the fact that there even is a set of rules should tell us something.
One could make the argument that you have the freedom to use them long as you don’t offend or cause a brother to stumble. You may want to check out my post titled, “Progressive Christianity.” When then Vice President Dick Cheney was recorded using a swear word, many in the media called on him to resign or at least apologize. Why the outrage? It was considered unbecoming of a representative of the United States to use such language. How much more so should we as ambassadors of Christ bridle our tongue (James 1:26)? Let’s just assume for a moment that Jesus was Lord over your mouth and that everything you said was submitted to Him. Would you still use these words?
Ask yourself and The Lord if the using these words promote things that are good and wholesome. Be willing to question if swear words somehow bring God’s presence into the conversation. Perhaps one of 100,000 words in our English language that can be used as adjectives is better suited for the Christian.
I will write a follow-up post on Ephesians 4:29 next time and will touch on the term “Swear Words”
*like*
I still don’t think you have a case that there is a Biblical mandate not to use obscene language. I care not whether it was unbecoming of the President to swear or not; I don’t think society standards can determine what is and what is not sinful to say or do. Society also does not condone trashing churches or getting drunk wedding parties drunker or dying for your enemies. I believe the ultimate goal is for the Lord Jesus Christ to be in control of your tongue, and there is no telling what he might ask you to say.
Tracie – Thanks
Jared – I agree that there is not a biblical mandate. I think I expressed that in the post. This is an opinion post and you should know me well enough to know that I am not being legalistic nor attempting to use scripture to back up my personal convictions. Bottom line is that I still don’t see Jesus dropping the F word. Further, I think it sounds horrible. I am planning to write a more about it.
What do you think Paul may have been referring to in Col 3:8?
Thanks for the comment!
Very well put, Doug. We’ve been going through Romans in bible study lately and had a really good study of chapter 14, which is, if I may call it so, the unofficial guide to “is it wrong for Christians to do _____?”
Scott – Thank you. I plan to pull in some material from Romans 14 in the follow up post.
And Doug- you know me well enough to know I’m not pulling for MORE CUSSING THE CHURCH!!!! YAAAY!
I have a hard time believing Jesus is tape recording our conversations waiting for vocabulary infractions. Either he is a legalist or he is not. Since Paul uses profane language several times in the Scriptures, I can’t imagine Col. 3:8 means “don’t say the F word ever.”
My ONLY contention is that “WWJD” is stupid. You and I have no idea what Jesus would do, so it is a slippery slope to make those judgments based on American culture. You only know what he DID do. And he did what he saw his Father in heaven doing. And he saw his Father calling Herod a fox and Pharisees blind guides, vipers, and whitewashed graves. Those sound mild to our American ears, but that is offensive language.
I don’t see Jesus dropping the F-bomb either, but I don’t see him doing a lot of things he did. I am CONSTANTLY shocked and appalled by his speech every time I get into the Scriptures. But he saw the Father doing it, so he did it.
I do not believe Christian behavior should not amount to “what can I get away with?” but rather “what do I see the Father doing?”