discuss: christians and swearing.
Okay, so this week’s question is about a topic that I find to be quite fascinating. It’s generally accepted that Christians shouldn’t swear, but the Bible is uncharacteristically vague about what you can and cannot say. The smoking gun that I always use come from Colossians 3:8:
But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your lips.
See, there’s this definite precedent set: No obscene talk. But what is obscene? I have no problem using “bloody” as an example because it’s a meaningless word in America, though in Britain and Australia it’ll get a bit of a reaction.
It’s not just a country thing either, it’s also generational. Try saying that something ’sucks’ to an elderly person; you’ll find that many are still sensitive to what was an unacceptable word back in the day.
Questions to get you started:
What makes a swear word a swear word? Is it possible to use a word in one situation and have it be okay, but it’s sinful somewhere else? Should we even use words that are questionable, or should we not concern ourselves with such technicalities? If something like the f-word becomes commonplace when you’re old, will it be okay to use it?
July 13th, 2008 at 11:33 pm
seriously awesome discussion topic! I hope folks weigh in. Personally, I attemp to avoid swearing because, frankly, it doesn’t feel like holiness. It feels like defiled speach to me and makes me think of isaiah when he says “I am a man of unclean lips.” in the presence of God he realizes that his words have made him impure before God - I don’t meet many that realize their speach can be a defiling thing. It’s interesting that you pointed out “sucks.” I recently decided that I would wholeheartedly attempt to quit using that word because of the origin of the phrase “that sucks.”
Here’s something that keeps me from swearing - as Christians we need to set ourselves apart from everyone else. How can God’s children be distinguished if we act like the rest of the World in yet another thing?
July 14th, 2008 at 9:46 am
God designed us to live our lives full of love and joy in His world. To me, swearing feels wrong. I have been given a voice which in God’s eyes is perfect and capable of such a sweet beautiful song, why would I want to defile something He perceives as so perfect?
I agree with you Matt - how can we show the World truly what God has to offer, how can we be His witnesses to the rest of this World if we act they way they act, speak the way they speak? I feel it on my heart now to model my life on acting the way God wants me to act, speaking the way God wants me to speak, and I dont believe that God wants me to swear.
Apart from the spiritual side of my argument, the English language, indeed any language, is just so rich with beautiful words, why would anyone want to spend their time filling their minds with just a few nasty ones? Dig a little deeper and there are an abundance of wonderful words we can use to communicate with each other, to convey emotion - whether that be excitement, joy, happiness, sadness, anger or disappointment! One word (ie. ‘the F bomb’) does not even begin to convey these emotions the way our language, if used correctly, has the scope to! I say buy a dictionary and learn a word a day! Empty our minds of the filth and fill it with His World and His Word!
July 15th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Great insights, guys. I appreciate them. I’m generally of the opinion that this is one of those lines that you shouldn’t try to walk because you don’t really have to; just steer clear and be done with it.
But since there’s agreement, I’ll press the issue a bit. There are certain words that have changed context over the time; an ass was a donkey, piss is actually in the KJV (2 Kings 18:27, Isaiah 36:12), and a faggot was a bundle of sticks or a cigarette. But in different settings these can really set someone off.
The thing that makes the issue of swearing interesting to me is that it’s so reliant on context and relative to culture, something that God’s laws practically never are. I think because of this, it makes the issue a bit grayer.