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Is It A Sin To Cuss?

bar-of-soap-in-mouthOur culture’s view of cussing is obvious from observing TV and movies. Everyone cusses, even children and religious people. It’s the “grown-up” and “cool” thing to do. It’s fun, it makes people laugh, and makes you feel more powerful and popular. The clear message that is caught is: cussing is normal and expected, therefore there’s nothing wrong with it. It’s just words. As vulgarity becomes more and more accepted in our culture, the media that most people consume becomes more and more filled with it.

The question to be asked by the Christian should be:
What does the bible say about this subject?
 
The bible does not give a list of cuss words to abstain from using. The bible wasn’t written in English, and we’re not interested in legalism anyway. In the bible we find several passages that give us principles to apply to this matter.

It is my belief that anyone who calls him or herself a Christian should completely abstain from using any word that is, or even sounds like a cuss word…in public and in private, no matter who you’re with or what you’re doing.
 
Sound too rash? There are several reasons why I came to the conviction that I just stated regarding cussing. They are all based on principles that I have found in scripture. I will briefly mention 4.


1. The Hypocrisy Principle
  • We should always behave and speak as if we were constantly walking in the presence of Jesus. True believers know that they are ALWAYS walking in the presence of Jesus. To act one way at church and another somewhere else betrays unbelief and displays hypocrisy.
James 1:26
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight reign on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.
James 3:6-12
6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

2. The Ambassador Principle
  • As Christians we represent Christ to the unbelieving world. Our mission is to display Christ’s saving power and communicate the Gospel. When we carry the name “Christian,” yet act and talk like the Godless worldly culture, we are actually working AGAINST the cause of Christ.
Matthew 12:36
“I tell you that men will have to give account on the Day of Judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by yours words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Titus 2:6
Encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness, and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned…

3. The Relationship Principle
  • Having a filthy mouth damages the personal relationship we develop with our Heavenly Father. Shame causes the worldly Christian to avoid intimate communion and prayer with his/her Creator.
  Isaiah 6:4 (after a lucid vision of God in heaven..,)
“Woe is me, for I am ruined!
Because I am a man of unclean lips,
And I live among a people of unclean lips;
For my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.”
4. The Obedience Principle
  • True Christians have a God-given desire to obey the Bible’s commands. This desire proceeds from the motive of love and reciprocity. God’s Word says it, I desire to obey.
1 John 4:19
We love because he first loved us.
Psalm 119:167
I obey your statutes, for I love them greatly.
Proverbs 4:24 Put away perversity; keep corrupt talk from your lips.
Ephesians 4:29a – Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for (encouraging others)
Ephesians 5:1 Be imitators of God…v4 …nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or course joking, which are (all) out of place, (for a Christian) but rather, thanksgiving.

The principle is really simple. Cussing is out of place for a Christian and should be abstained from. However, I admit the practice is sometimes difficult. The benefits of trying are worth the effort, I promise. If you want to clean up your mouth, I would suggest, as much as possible, stay away from anything or anyone that would expose you to unwholesome talk. Screen your entertainment choices. Avoid “friends” that have filthy mouths, and block “friends” that post obscene language to social networks. Avoid music with dirty lyrics, and games with cussing. Establish personal convictions and stick to them even if it creates an awkward or embarrassing situation.
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