I was never one of those kids who experimented with bad words. My worst phase was third grade when I would take the Lord’s name in vain.  In fact, I used to not even let people say the word “crap” around me and now I say it more openly (which I shouldn’t). I think it’s funny to watch little kids learn what bad words mean. At work, the little kids are just getting to know the word stupid- their favorite insult is “stupid head”. One little kid makes up his own insults. His favorite one is Momo-pino. Don’t ask me what that means. My sister called me a really bad name one time and I looked at her incredulously and said, “Do you know what that means?” Her eyes got real big and said, “No..” and then she started crying.  I didn’t tell on her. 

I am troubled by a trend that I am seeing grow increasingly more popular in the body of Christ- cussing; using profanity to describe things that other words can be used for. It troubles me because non-Christians need to see why we’re different and one of the most obvious ways that differences can be spotted is by our speech. I could pull out the WWJD card, but that’s just a cliché right?  Okay we’ll try a different route. So, it’s “just a word” but it’s really not. Our society has socially constructed the word to mean something bad and perverse and unless you say “don’t worry, it’s just a word” after every time you cuss, then the world is just going to think that you’re saying it like they say it (which you won’t. Would you really say “I failed that blankety blank –hey guys, it’s just a word-test? No, you wouldn’t. It loses its emphasis.).  We all want to be youth directors and missionaries and pastors and speakers and serving in HUGE leadership positions in the church and we are lacking the gentleness (fruit of the Spirit!) of speech.  We need to take a stand and be different than the World. I’ve probably offended some of you but it’s not really me offending you…

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

Put away perversity from your mouth, keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

Proverbs 4:24

Old testament and New, the Bible is pretty clear. We must honor God with our mouths. So if you’re feeling a little guilty (and believe me, I don’t always honor God with my words), then stop being angry and defensive and listen to what God is telling you.  Hey, if He’s telling you to cuss, then by all means, please continue. But if He’s not, why would you deny His instruction just to prove a point?