Dear Sisters:
“I will wash your mouth with soap”—I remember the nun (I went to Catholic school) saying that to one of my 9-year-old classmates in response to her saying a “bad” word.
One of the values that I was taught by my grandmother is not using any foul language. While I was really good at following this “rule” as a child, I broke away from it as I grew up. Once I hit high school and college I started to break the “rule.”
Let me tell you what the problem was: it was not peer pressure, nor new music, nor societal influence. The reason was that I thought about this value as a “rule”. I thought it was a little silly that we had that rule. I mean there are so many swear words—some really harsh, so maybe don’t use those, but most swear words could used in the right context to “enhance” speech.
I thought that God has bigger issues that me saying “S@” when I dropped something on my foot.
In my late teens and early twenties, swearing became part of my common speech. I tended to emulate the people I was surrounded with.
It wasn’t until I started surrounding myself with the Word that I discovered the value of this “rule.” I found that there are really four main reasons:
- You don’t use a toothbrush to clean the toilet bowl and then use it to brush your teeth. Reading scripture has shown me that God doesn’t like us cursing; He views it as something filthy.
Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.- Ephesians 5:4
The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate. Proverbs 8:13
Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. Proverbs 4:24
God doesn’t want us to mix our mouth with both blessings and cursing.
From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. James 3:10
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29
2) Do you smoke at Church? Similar to the point above, but in a more spiritual sense. The Bible is very clear that we are the temples of the Holy Spirit.
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own. 1 Corinthians 6:19
If God looks at cursing as something filthy, then it really is like smoking inside a church—maybe even worse. Paul tells:
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1
It’s a gateway drug. Alright is no a drug, but on many occasions, once one starts to curse then it is easy to continue. Furthermore, it can invite emotions like anger, anxiety, frustration. Lastly, cursing could have grave consequences, and in this age of technology, it can define us for a very long time. You can just “Road Rage” and you will see what I mean. The Scripture warns us about such things
But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Colossians 3:8
It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” Matthew 15:11
“And they know we are Christians by our words.” Okay, I know that not how the song goes (if you don’t know the song, Click here ). However, how will someone know we are Christians if we are involved in a nasty exchange? Or if we are constantly and casually dropping the f-bomb at work? Worse yet, what impression will you leave behind if people find out that you are a Christian.
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29
The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:45
I find this especially true about parents. Full disclosure: I don’t have any kids nor do I hold against any parents for any accidental slip up. However, I have interacted with parents that cursing is a part of their speech habits. One such parent (whom I had several interactions with) was surprised when their 3 year old said “F—U”; she was surprised, I wasn’t.
Treating cursing like it’s a “whatever” or “just a rule” is just simply no right for a Christian. God gives your word value; therefore they have value.
The law of your mouth is better to me (GOD) than thousands of gold and silver pieces. Psalm 119:72
We are asked to be the light of the world:
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16
Live that Truth!
Love,
Milo
