Likely we’ve all done it or heard it; during the intensity of a moment one curses as if letting pressure out of a volcano. Some have even adopted curse words into their regular vocabulary out of habit. Swearing, cursing, cussing, bad words, they’re almost everywhere from the door of the home, to television, to bumper stickers.
A person’s sensitivity to certain words probably has a lot to do with their environment. I have never heard a bad word come out of my mom’s mouth (my dad was a different story). Saying the Lord’s name in vain while growing up was dealt with as firmly as any other curse word. As a result, I have become somewhat sensitive and thoughtful about how I speak of things and others. But, the more time I spend in an environment where cursing is expectable, the more desensitized I became.
So aside from the sharpness and/or offensiveness of a particular curse word, what’s the big deal? Well, the Bible tells us the power of life and death is in the tongue and those who love it will eat its fruits (Proverbs 18:22). What kind of fruit is a perverse mouth bearing? Who are we to curse something or someone? We are not God. While some curse words are second nature to many—even some Christians, the impact of such words used in any particular context ought to have more thought paid to them.
I have a blog called The Power of the Tongue where I share more of what the Bible has to say in regard to the potency of our words and their effects in our life that I encourage anyone to read.
I had an issue with cursing for a long time. I wanted my words to bring life and blessing to others so I prayed that God would help me become more conscious of what I was saying—and He has.
Colossians 3:8-10 is directed to those of us who are Christians, “But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.” (NKJV).