My Opinion on Cussing as a Christian
When is it okay to cuss?
By Grace K. Bianco
“To be more Christlike, you have to be more like Christ.”
I never cuss. I never have, and I never plan on it. People are always so baffled by that fact, because cussing has just become so normal in today’s world. Too many, it enhances jokes, or helps emphasize one’s anger. A lot of people even believe that I will cuss at them if pushed hard enough or let a swear word slip eventually.
Just like any habit… If you don’t start, it doesn’t come naturally. If I have never smoked a cigarette, I am not going to wake up tomorrow and suddenly be addicted. I am twenty-one years old. And like I always say, if I could survive public high school without swearing, I can go the rest of my life without.
But what if you get mad?
Okay, and? I have never understood name calling in the midst of an argument. If someone called me an “idiot” out of anger, I would be hurt deeply by it. So, you can imagine the hurt I would feel if someone called me something much worse. If it would hurt me, what gives me the right to hurt someone else?
If you make me mad, I won’t always react like a perfect angel, but I definitely won’t feel the need to cuss at you. I may raise my voice, but I have yet to find a reason for a cuss word to slip out.
Substitution words
I will admit, I do use substitution words. I always feel like I am cheating though. Sure, I don’t say the “F” word, but I still say “frick”. I say “heck” at times as well.
I hardly (if ever) say the word “geez”. I was always taught that it is just short for Jesus, and it shouldn’t be said. I just try to stick with “oh my gosh”.
Substitution words are an easy way around cussing, and that is why they should be used with caution. Innocent words can turn ugly too.
What I consider a bad word…
There are some words that others believe to not be so bad, but I still consider them swear words.
Here’s my list:
- C**t (highly debated… So, I censored it.)
- Hell (When used in any way other than referring to it in a biblical way. Such as, “Go to ___” or “What the ___?”.)
- Oh my God (I will be honest. I struggled with saying this one a lot, and it is one that still slips out at times. However, the Bible warns against using God’s name in vain.)
- A** (self-explanatory)
- D**k (I do say it sometimes, but I do not call anyone that ever.)
- D****e (This is another one that goes back and forth for some, but I steer clear of it.)
- Jesus (Again, if used in vain, it is inappropriate.)
- WTF, LMAO, AF, etc. (An abbreviation is just the same as a cuss word.)
(I do not use racial or gay slurs, because those are definitely bad words. I know that some people may want that clearly written in this post, but to me, it is just a given since I try to be so careful with what words I say.)
What I think of others cussing…
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16–17 **
If a nonbeliever cusses in front of me, I will not look down on them, judge them, or give them a lecture about why they shouldn’t cuss. I want to write a more in-depth blog on this, but a lot of Christians don’t realize that you can’t hold nonbelievers to a set of beliefs that they don’t believe in.
I do believe cussing is avoidable. It’s just a harsher way of speaking. I understand that once you start, it just slips out. I feel respected when people hold back from cussing in front of me, but I never expect that from anyone.
If a Christian cusses, I will usually say something. I try to be as nice and gentle about it as I can. I am not seeking praise for not cussing, and I don’t believe I am better than my neighbor because I don’t. However, I put that Bible verse to show that Scripture is there to help us, Christians. It is used for correcting AND rebuking.
I may not struggle with using bad language, but I may be quick to anger or struggle to forgive someone. I need correction just like everyone else does. Correction should be done out love. I won’t condemn you for slipping up, and you don’t have to condemn if I stumble elsewhere. At the end of the day, we all need to be pointed towards Jesus, and sometimes, it involves another person to help point us towards Him.
**All bolded words in the Bible verses given is used for emphasis that I wanted to add.
Bible Verses on Cussing
“But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.” Colossians 3:8 **
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29
“Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion worthless.” James 1:26
“You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” Exodus 20:7
“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Luke 6:45
**All bolded words in the Bible verses given is used for emphasis that I wanted to add.
Final Words
Cussing isn’t always used to bring others down, and not cussing doesn’t mean you can’t bring others down. Nonbeliever or not, it is important to make sure that you are being kind. Whether you cuss or not, words can hurt.
I choose to not cuss, because as a believer, it cannot be justified. Do I always say the right things though? Once again, absolutely not.
We act on our emotions, because as humans, we mess up. The world becomes divided more and more every single day, and hate is just becoming another emotion. We have to be kind and loving to make any change in this world.
So yeah, if you cuss, it definitely doesn’t mean you are a mean person. What I want people to take from this blog is that words have control over people’s emotions. Let’s use the gift of our voices and freedom of speech to speak kindly to one another.
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