Question:

Why is it wrong to use cuss words? Aren’t they just words?

Answer:

Colossians 3:8 tells us to “rid all filthy language from our lips.”  When this was written Paul’s audience would have known exactly what he was talking about.  They would have known what filthy language was.  They had different words than we do.  The “F***” word didn’t even exist during their time.  Their society and culture deemed certain words filthy.  It’s the same with us today.  We know what filthy language is.  Even non-Christians know what that is.  We have parental guidance on music, rating systems in movies.  To use the argument, “Well, is it really filthy language? Who says what a curse word is?” is a bit silly, because Christians know… and even non-Christians know.  Our society and culture as a whole knows and they follow a different way then we do.

It’s also not just words because it effects our ability to share the Gospel message. Some would disagree and say, “It’s culturally relevant and on their level if I drop expletives while discussing God. It helps me relate.” It doesn’t help you relate any better than a mom who tries to wear trendy clothes like her teenage daughter. You’re not relevant, you just look foolish. If I were talking to you about Jesus and I say, “Yea, and then He died on the *bleep*bleep* cross so all the *bleep* you did in your life could be forgiven and if you *bleep’n* accept Him then you can have life.” That just wouldn’t seem right.  You might push back and say, “That’s a bit hypocritical, I mean, talking like that and it being about Jesus.  That’s just wrong, right?!?” Well everything we do in word or deed needs to be centered around Christ.

On a different note, I had a professor who explained cursing as “ignorant speak.” When we default to curse words, we’re going the easy route. If you want to speak in an educated way, authoritatively, and with people taking you seriously- drop the cursing. And like mentioned above, God commands us to rid filthy language from our lips. Transformed lives have transformed speech.