The Christian & Profanity

There are some words in our English speaking culture that are generally acknowledged in society as profanity aka foul language, bad words, cussing, swearing, cursing, obscenities, or expletives. What is profanity? The word profane means unholy, irreverence or contempt for God or sacred principles, vulgar. The biblical concept for ‘holy’ is based on God’s character and refers to being morally/spiritually pure and set apart from sin/evil. In God’s case, He is one of a kind uniquely holy as God (1 Sam 2:2) but He also calls His people to be holy for He is holy (1 Pet. 1:15).

This world is saturated with profane cuss words; they are heard (or read, or viewed) in the neighborhood, at school, our homes, at work, from movies, TV programs, internet videos/postings, articles, books, and magazines. And it isn’t just the non-Christians who are using profanity. Some Christians communicate foul language as well.

I won’t try to list a bunch of cuss words here because identifying them can be shocking and disgusting for some people. You know, this d-word, that s-word, this f-word and so on. Words themselves can be subjective in meaning and usage especially among different cultures over time. This is why we aren’t given a list in the Bible of which words are cuss words. So, we must rely on biblical principles to guide us and the conviction of the Holy Spirit in this matter.

Here are some things to keep in mind when identifying profanity. For a given word, does the culture in general consider that it could be used as a profane/cuss word? Does the modern dictionary consider it a vulgar, cuss, profane word among other definitions and uses? Also consider how the word is being used. What’s the motivation, attitude, and purpose behind it? Is the word being used in anger, frustration, or for shock value? Is the word being used to tear a person down? Is the cuss word being used just because it is popular in our culture? Is the word used in a sexually derogative way? Usage context is important as well. For example, the word ‘hell’ is a word found in the Bible, a noun, a place God made to send Satan and demons to (and it’s where people who haven’t been saved by the Lord go in eternity). You can use ‘hell’ in an edifying God-honoring way or you can use it in a profane way (use your imagination).  If you are ever curious as to whether or not a word and its use is profanity that dishonors God, then ask God in prayer to give you insight and conviction about it, research the word, and ask a maturing Christ follower about their biblical based conviction.

Here are some Bible verses to consider about the subject of profanity:

Eph. 4:29 ESV Let no corrupting talk (NLT foul or abusive language) come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace (NLT be an encouragement) to those who hear.

The word ‘corrupting’ here in the original Bible language of Greek, sapros, means rotten, putrefied, worn out, not fit for use, bad quality, worthless. And the word ‘talk’ here, logos, can just as well be ‘communication’ so this includes writing, texting, emailing, and social media posting. It’s not just what rolls off our tongue but also what language we communicate and how and why we communicate what we communicate.

A key reason I am writing about this subject is because I have recently noticed more and more Christians posting things with foul language on-line and I have met with some Christian college students who use foul language. In my opinion, if you post something on-line with profanity, even a graphic/picture, it is like wearing a t-shirt in public with profanity on it and this should not be so for Christians. Hey, check out this cuss word. I endorse the use of this cuss word. It’s okay to use this cuss word and on and on it goes.

A similar passage is Col. 3:8-10 ESV But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

Here the Greek word for ‘obscene’, aischrologia, refers to foul, obscene communication. The word ‘obscene’ in our culture refers to what is indecent, offensive to moral decency.

Eph. 5:4 ESV Let there be no filthiness (NLT obscene stories) nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

2 Timothy 2:16 ESV But avoid irreverent (NKJV profane) babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,

The Greek word for profane here, bebelos, can mean unhallowed, ungodly.

James 3:2-12 is a great passage about the problem of our tongues (our communication). Here is an excerpt; 8-10 ESV ⁸but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. ⁹With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. ¹⁰From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers,^£ these things ought not to be so.

Sometimes profanity includes using God’s name in vain and God’s Word clearly states this is wrong. Exodus 20:7 “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. If you are not honoring and glorying God with the use of His name, you are using His name in vain.

When we use certain words we should be wondering if God considers it unholy, dishonoring to Him even if no one else is around to hear or no one will read what we have submitted. Is this communication right in the eyes of God? If there is uncertainty whether it is profanity or not then take the high road in Christ and avoid using it. This is why I now avoid using words like ‘crap’ and ‘crud.’ They both have some vulgar connotations in our culture. Oops, I just stepped on some toes with that. When you are suddenly frustrated why not go with ‘bummer’ or ‘I don’t like that.’ There are word options that are not associated with profanity.

When you miss the nail and hit your finger with the hammer do you yell out a cuss word? Why not yell out ‘Ouch!’, ‘That hurts so bad!’ or just yell out noise like a scream? Why use a word that is associated with profanity? Our communication reveals the state of our heart. If the heart is not holy unto the Lord then unholy things will be communicated. I think a Christ-follower who is consistently filled with the Holy Spirit will have more self-control in such matters, will have goodness in the heart that pours out (fruit of the Holy Spirit) and using a cuss word becomes less and less likely. I’m not saying that a cuss word will absolutely never come out again. What I am saying is that consistent non-use of profanity is possible with God’s help and our proper response of increased living faith in Him and consistent holy obedience to God based on His Word for His people.

I believe that a maturing Christ follower will mature in biblical discernment between right and wrong in what and how they communicate as well spiritual convictions about what is okay regarding unnecessary profanity in what we watch, view, hear, and read. For me, this has been a spiritual process over the years to where I’ve come to the place in my life where I rarely use profanity. I can’t remember the last time I did, but I am not so good at saying no to various movies and TV shows that include unnecessary profanity. I could improve in this area of my life because I believe Christ-followers should be concerned as to not only what we communicate and how and why but also as to what we subject ourselves to for the sake of entertainment and leisure activities. A true believer in Christ has a new nature, is a new creation, and has the indwelling Holy Spirit along with the fruit of the Spirit. Christ-followers are called the temple of the Holy Spirit. Using profanity is a work of the flesh and at odds with the Holy Spirit within you (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Gal. 5).

Maybe you don’t even realize that you communicate profanity and associate yourself with profanity. Maybe you think you are doing well not to use the major cuss words in our culture, but yet you use some ‘softer’ cuss words yet those words and their usage don’t honor and glorify God, don’t build up others, and don’t build you up in holiness and Christ-likeness. If you’re not sure cussing is a part of your life try asking someone close to you about this, if they notice you using cuss words or taking a lot of cuss words in.

Profanity will hinder your personal spiritual growth, harm your relationships with other people, undermine your salt and light in Christ testimony in this world, and have a negative impact on your spiritual intimacy with God.

There are other biblical principles related to the importance of our communication like keeping your tongue from evil, the tree is known by its fruit, what comes out of your mouth is what defiles you, we are to be gracious in speech, we are to set an example in our speech for the believers, and God will hold us responsible for the words we communicate (i.e. Ps. 34:12-14, Mt. 15:11, Col. 4:6, 1 Tim. 4:12, Mt. 12:33-37, 15:11; Luke 6:45). Take the time to study God’s Word on the subject of character and communication that honors and glorifies God. And if you are a believer in Christ who learns of another believer communicating profanity in some way, then speak the truth in love to them; use grace and truth, trusting in the Lord for help.

As Christ-followers, yes, we have freedom in the grace of God, but this doesn’t mean we have a license to be unholy in our communication. We are called to pursue holiness in Christ (Eph. 4:24; Titus 2; 1 Pet. 1:13-15 and 2:24).

And as always, in the Christian life, the principle of 1 Cor. 10:31 (So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.); is applicable. Whenever you wonder about what’s right and wrong regarding words, language, and communication; ask yourself, “Does this word and its use glorify God?” If the word is associated with cussing then why use it at all? Are you glorying God with your communication? To understand what glorifies God, learn from Scripture about God and His holiness and what pleases Him.

We all can and should ask God in prayer for help regarding the use of profanity our lives. Consider these two verses that should be prayed to God: Ps. 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Ps. 141:3 Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!

God’s Word teaches that our words matter. Our communication matters. Our thoughts matter. Our attitudes matter. And these things matter not just in how we influence other people but they matter to God who is perfectly Holy and everywhere present (Ps. 139) and calls us to glorify Him. We should care most about what God thinks of our communication.

What, how, and why we communicate what we do matters to God and it should matter to a Christ-follower. May the Lord guide us, His people, away from using profanity and away from accepting profanity as morally okay. Let’s honor God with our character, our convictions, our conduct, and our communication; all to His glory. Let’s resolve to be holy for God is holy.

What are your thoughts about profanity and the Christian life?

Mike