Do You Reject Cursing?David Halbrook |
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Do you reject cursing? Most likely if you are reading this article your goal is either to not curse at all or you are in the process of genuinely trying to stop using foul speech. But think about the first sentence again—do you reject cursing? Is it possible that there are some ways in which you have not completely rejected cursing? How is that possible? Consider— 1. “I don't curse but it doesn't bother me.” If I have rejected cursing because I know that it is sinful-- how can it not bother me? In Psalm 119:128 David wrote “... I hate every false way.” Have you really rejected cursing if you do not hate it? Lot was tormented “from day to day seeing and hearing their lawless deeds” (2 Pet. 2:8). Why he didn't just leave instead of staying and being tormented, I don't know, but I do know that he did not say “I don't participate in their sin but it doesn't bother me.” It bothered him—it tormented him. Why not me? Christians must maintain a sensitivity to sin. Remember that sin is what put the thorns into Jesus' brow, the skin-splitting whip into his back, and the nails into his hands and feet. If sin did that to Jesus and you genuinely love Jesus, why doesn't it bother you? Think about that the next time you're listening to music, watching a movie, or watching television. Does it bother you when someone uses the name of Jesus as though it were a curse word? If you barely notice it—there's a problem! Like David, we must notice sin and hate it instead of becoming accustomed to it. Also consider that the more tolerant we are of something, the higher the chances are that we will eventually participate. Solomon is just one example. Against God's instruction, he married women from foreign nations who served foreign gods (1 Kg. 11:2). We aren't told what Solomon's attitude toward these gods was when he first married the women who worshiped them. But, at best, he tolerated his wives' wicked worship. Though he didn't immediately worship with them, he didn't oppose it. Later, at some point, it didn't bother him. And after several years, he was worshiping them (1 Kg. 11:4). He should have learned from his father David to “hate every false way.” Have you learned that? If not—do you really reject cursing? 2. Euphemisms. All words have meaning—isn't that the purpose of words, to communicate something? The religion which Jesus revealed is one which requires constant self-examination (2 Cor. 13:5). It requires us to think about what we do instead of having the attitude “I don't have to worry about that.” All that we do should be pleasing to God so consider the meaning of some words commonly used.
These are just a few examples. If there are words or expressions which you use, the meaning of which is unknown to you, simply get a dictionary and find out what they mean. You might be surprised to discover what you are saying. Sometimes context and intent is what will determine whether our speech is pure or impure. To illustrate—the letters “g” and “d” have a proper place in our language. But when people shout those two letter in combination when they become angry, there is an entirely new and completely profane, foul thought communicated. The fact is that God will damn some people in hell forever, and that is not something to be taken lightly or used as an expression of personal frustration. If a Christian heard others combining those letters in that way without knowing the meaning and so began repeating it—what would he do once he learned what that expression meant? Likewise, when there are words or expressions which we use, the meaning of which we had never realized, how ought we respond? The point is simply to investigate and know the meaning of the words you are using. Do not forget your duty to be a light, an example of godliness and holiness to others (Mt. 5:16; 1 Tim. 4:12). Our speech is a significant matter for it is a reflection of our heart. Also, “by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Mt. 12:35-37). I know of no stronger reason to reject cursing—do you? |
Blessed is the man who listens to me, |
