~ A place to find answers to gnawing spiritual questions ~
Question: I read the answer about cuss words, but you didn't answer the entire question. Why are some words considered cuss words and others not. When and how were these words picked and some made sinful but others made all right?Answer:
Words are very powerful and word usage is extremely important. Unfortunately, we are living in a society that seems to have forgotten the basics of language.
A simple answer would be that the meaning behind the word makes it acceptable or unacceptable. Veterinarians use the word bitch on a regular basis, and think nothing of it. The meaning of the word is a female dog. It is a fine word to use in that profession, or for anyone else who is honestly referring to a female dog. People have taken that word and distorted its meaning, making it derogatory. When used in that manner, it is not acceptable because it is degrading another person created in the image of God and whom God loves very much.
Let's look at the word hell. I have sat in an adult Sunday School class and listened as people tried to use the word hell without actually saying it. Apparently they thought it was a bad word. They would use phrases such as 'that place' or 'going down'. Hell is very real. It is a place of everlasting punishment and fiery torment. It is the duty of all Christians to use that word in witnessing and as a warning to non-Christians of what is to come if they don't make Jesus Christ the Lord of their life.
On the other hand, I have heard many, many people use the word hell in such a way that it appears to hold no meaning at all. God does not want anyone to suffer the consequences of eternity in hell. Jesus Christ gave up his life by dying on the cross so that no one would have to suffer the horrible agony of everlasting punishment. It's a very terrible thing for one person to tell another to go to hell or to damn him to an eternity in hell. Would you really want a person to go to hell because he cut in line at a fast food restaurant? Probably not, but I have heard people say this. God is a merciful God, willing to forgive the greatest of sins. We should be able to forgive one another of these minor offenses we encounter on a day to day basis.
I have found that there are generally two types of people that use vulgar language. First - those that are ignorant and say words without thinking about the meaning of the words they are saying. These people hear words and come to accept them and say them just because it is what 'everybody else' is doing. They want to be considered part of the group and have not learned to think for themselves. Second - those that are angry and say derogatory words in order to purposely be offensive and draw attention to themselves.
The Bible has much to say about our conversation and the words we say.
"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer" (Psalms 19:14).
Would you use these words in prayer, when speaking to a holy God? I think not!
"The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself" (Ecclesiastes 10:12).
"The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life" (John 6:63).
"Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ" (Philippians 1:27)
"But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him; Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free; but Christ is all, and in all. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things, put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him" (Colossians 3:8-17).
I realize that this last scripture was quite lengthy, but I felt it important enough to include the entire portion. In short, what this is telling us is that we are to lay aside our anger and bad language, treat everyone with respect because in Christ we are all the same, and be loving and forgiving. We are to be kind, gracious, and uplifting to all people, speaking and doing all things as Jesus would. It is impossible to show these godly characteristics and at the same time speak words which are vulgar or derogatory.
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