Cussing

Cussing

Cussing seems to be in these days. They say it in the movies. It's done on TV. Coaches cuss at their players. Players cuss at the officials. Parents cuss at their children. Drivers cuss at each other. Patients cuss at their doctors. Comedians cuss and the audience laughs.

Whenever something bad happens, you can almost expect to hear someone cuss. Folks cuss at bad golf shots they make. They cuss at all the bills they have to pay. They cuss and cuss all day long. Some famous people are known for their cussing. General Patton was a cusser. Coach Bobby Knight is a real cusser. Although I've never heard it, I suppose some even cuss because of the preacher.

What are we to make of all of this cussing? Some just accept it as "that's just the way he is. "What does the Bible say about "cussing? Cussing is not the language that God wants His children to use. When you are cussed at, you do not feel better because of it. You do not consider cussing to be a blessing. People cuss because they are mad. They don't know what to say, so they cuss. Some cuss to act tough or grown up. 

How God Wants Us To Speak…

Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person.

Titus 2:8 sound in speech which is beyond reproach, in order that the opponent may be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.

Ephesians 4:29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear.

When a servant girl accused Peter of being with Jesus, Peter denied it and then began to "curse and swear" (Mt. 26:74). Peter did many things wrong that night, cursing and swearing were part of his problems.

When describing the tongue, James said, "With it we bless our Lord and Father; and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way" (James 3:9-10).

God taught ancient Israel not to curse: "You shall not curse God, nor curse a ruler of your people" (Exodus 22:28). The Psalmist understood this when he wrote, "Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips" (Psalm 141:3).

There are certain things that God's people should not say…

Ephesians 5:4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

Ephesians 5:12 For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.

Colossians 3:8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

Much of cussing involves dirty or filthy speech. Christians must not do that. No exceptions!

Much of cussing is "damning" someone to hell. Only God can do that, and we should not wish that on any one. Jesus loved all and died for all. Shouldn't we do the same?

Much of cussing is taking the Lord's name in vain. God is holy and sacred. His name must be held in honor. There is no other name by which we are saved (Acts 4:12). We must never misuse the name of the Lord. Whenever we say "God" or "Lord" we should be thinking of our wonderful Father and Savior in Heaven. Cussing is a result of stinkin' thinking. Do better! Talk right!

Roger Shouse