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

What Stands Out about God; How about His Holiness?

In God’s Word, it is amazing how many instances of the word ‘holy’ occur as an adjective to describe various things and people. For example, holy law, scriptures, mountain, land, place, faith, kiss, covenant, crown, garment, water, nation, prophets, man, holy cow Batman! (no, that’s not in there). People and things can be declared or set apart as holy but the basis of true holiness is God Himself.

I’m going to unpack five key statements about the holiness of God.

1) God is Holy!

Multiple times in God’s Word, God called Himself holy, for example, Lev. 19:2b … I the Lord your God am holy. Perhaps the most prominent attribute of God revealed in God’s Word is His holiness. This one single truth about God would perhaps come closer to describing the eternal Creator Savior God more than any other characteristic of His.

Ok, God said He is holy, but what does this word ‘holy’ mean when it’s describing God? The Hebrew word in this verse is ‘kaw·doshe’; meaning sacred, set apart. Set apart from what? Set apart from evil and sin and when describing God this word points to God’s wholeness and perfection.

Bible Scholar Charles Ryrie wrote, “Ask yourself, what does it mean to be healthy? It means more than not being sick. Likewise, holiness is more than absence of sin; it is a positive, healthy state of being right and whole. This is what John meant when he wrote that “God is light and in Him is NO darkness at all,” 1 John 1:5.

God is pure, kind of like pure light where no darkness exists. And of course light contrasted with darkness here is a moral contrast as well. God is holy. God is spiritually and morally pure and perfect.

2) God is uniquely Holy.

There is none holy like the Lord:, 1 Sam. 2:2a

For You alone are holy.., Rev. 15:4b

Bible Scholar Arthur Pink, “God only is independently, infinitely, immutably holy. In God’s Word, He is often known as the Holy one. This is because the sum of all moral Excellency is found in Him. He is absolute purity. Holiness is the very Excellency of his divine nature; gloriously so, His holiness is the very antithesis of all moral blemish and defilement.”

No one but the Lord God Almighty is truly and purely holy in a perfect sense and it’s not that God has the ability to live up to this perfect standard, rather, God Himself is the standard of spiritual and moral holiness and perfection. And He’s always been this way and He always will be.

3) In Heaven, God’s holiness is perfectly celebrated.

From a divine vision of Heaven given to the Apostle John, we know that there are angelic creatures around the throne of God that continually say “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty..”, Rev. 4:8b.

In Heaven, there is no sin and evil and everyone there not only knows about the awesome holiness of God, they are also in awe of the Holy God Almighty worshiping Him and giving Him the special attention that He deserves for who He is and what He does; and it’s His holiness that is emphasized. There was, however, this one moment in history when some angels chose evil but God cast them out like lightning for God is perfectly Holy and His heaven must be holy. Sin and evil are not allowed in God’s heaven which begs the question; how do unholy sinners like you and me get into God’s heaven some day? How can we ever even enter into a right relationship now with our Holy Creator God almighty? The quick answer two these two questions is by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior and Lord we all need. If you are not sure you are going to God’s holy Heaven when you die, or you are not sure if Jesus Christ is your Savior or you would like to know more about trusting Jesus as your Savior, then check out this blog entry: 

http://mikesmorals.blogspot.com/2013/09/great-news-gods-plan-for-true-life.html

I don’t believe there is anything more important than personally trusting in and knowing Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord and knowing you have eternal life in Christ and by the way, this is foundational to exploring, appreciating, and being transformed by the depths of God’s holiness.

4) Outside of Heaven, God’s holiness is contrasted with unholiness.

His holiness is certainly celebrated to some degree here on earth but not as perfectly so as it is in Heaven. The big issue here is that this creation, the world and the living things within in it, are sin-tainted. We are spiritually and morally broken, unholy, so there exists this glaring contrast between God’s holiness and what is unholy.

Consider a couple Bible examples of people encounters with God and His holiness.  

Exodus 3:2, 4-6 (ESV) ² And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. ⁴ When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” ⁵ Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” ⁶ And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

Clearly a supernatural event took place at this moment at this location. God spoke to Moses through a burning bush that was not consumed. Incredible! Why do you think God declared where Moses was standing to be Holy ground? It was holy ground because the Holy God almighty was present supernaturally speaking through this bush and He declared this place to be holy, to be set apart as spiritually sacred to God. God told Moses to not come any closer to the bush and to take his sandals off. There was to be no rushing into the sacred holy presence of God and there had to be an acknowledging moment of God’s holy presence, a reverential response from Moses toward God. Removing the sandals was one way to show reverence and respect the magnitude of what’s was happening. When God spoke again, Moses hid his face which was another reverential response to God’s awesome holiness. In this moment Moses must have thought something like, “God, the perfectly holy and awesome One is here and I am a sinner, unholy and not worthy to be in His presence.” Today, we show God reverence perhaps by raising our eyes and hands heavenward, or kneeling down on one or both knees or by laying down prostrate, or by bowing our heads, our lives and our hearts in humility to the Holy God almighty.

Isaiah 6:1-4 (ESV) ¹ In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. ² Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. ³ And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” ⁴ And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke.

Isaiah saw a God-given vision of angels surrounding the Lord God Almighty on His throne, crying out these words; Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts!” This praise of “Holy, Holy, Holy” sets God’s holiness apart from His creation and certainly from fallen creation. God in three divine persons, The Father, the Son, and the Spirit, is perfectly holy. This truth about God stands out. They were not crying out “Love, Love, Love” or “Just, Just, Just.” They cried out Holy, Holy, Holy to God about God because God’s perfect holiness stands out everywhere among everything and everyone.  How did Isaiah respond to this vision of God’s holiness?

Isaiah 6:5-7 (ESV) ⁵ And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!” ⁶ Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. ⁷ And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”

Isaiah immediately recognized his own unholiness when he was in this special presence of the Holy God almighty. He admitted to having unclean/unholy lips. He recognized he was not worthy to be in the awesome holy presence of God. Fortunately, one of the Angels came to Isaiah and used a burning coal from the heavenly altar to cleanse Isaiah of his unholiness. This process was illustrative of God forgiving Isaiah and spiritually purifying him and in the context this was associated with a divine call to set Isaiah apart for the Lord’s holy ministry here on earth.

Consider an example in the New Testament of God’s Word where we read that the eternal Son of God became the incarnated God-man, Jesus Christ, who was and is the personification of perfect holiness. Jesus had the fullness of deity. He was without sin and never sinned. He was and is the holy One which is what the Apostle Peter called him in John 6:69. Consider an earlier encounter Peter had with Jesus when he couldn’t catch any fish but Jesus told Peter to go out again and then a ton of fish were caught. Luke 5:8 (ESV) But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” After this miracle fish catch, brought on by Jesus, Peter realized immediately that he was in the presence of the Holy One, the Son of God, who was displaying His power and Peter was convicted internally of his own unholiness.

Whenever someone with unholiness, like you and me, has an encounter with God’s perfect holiness, it is convicting spiritually. God’s holiness stands out and our unholiness is brought into the light of God.

5) God’s holiness deserves a proper God honoring response.

I’ve already pointed out how a few believers responded to encounters with God’s holiness. Ps. 99 gives us an example of magnifying the holiness of God.

Psalm 99:1-3, 5, 9 (ESV) ¹ The LORD reigns; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake! ² The LORD is great in Zion; he is exalted over all the peoples. ³ Let them praise your great and awesome name! Holy is he! ⁵ Exalt the LORD our God; worship at his footstool! Holy is he! ⁹ Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy mountain; for the LORD our God is holy!

Three times in these 9 verses of God-honoring praise the holiness of God is emphasized. We should emphasize the holiness of God in our lives as we live for His glory and praise Him and worship Him. For He is truly Holy and we fall short of His glory! We should keep learning about, acknowledging, communicating, and being in awe of God’s perfect holiness, thanking Him for His holiness, and praising and worshiping Him according to His holiness. And we should desire and let God’s holiness transform us into His holy people.

God’s spiritual expectations of His people flow out of His own holy nature. To the Israelites, He said, “You shall be .. a holy nation” (Ex. 19:6); “You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy” (Lev. 19:2). And to Christ-followers, we read the same commanding exhortation ..but as He who called you is holy, you also BE holy .. (1 Pet. 1:15).

We are all created in the image of our Holy Creator and He expects us to be holy because He is holy. Today, we have this potential to have God-honoring holiness in our lives by God’s grace through faith in Christ as our Savior and Lord and as we consistently seek to become holier. The key is growing in our relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and becoming more like Him.

What’s next for you and me regarding the holiness of God? How is God right now leading us to respond to Him regarding His holiness? Perhaps you or I need to commit to keep learning about, acknowledging in private and public, communicating to the world these truths about God and His holiness? Perhaps, you or I need to commit to being in awe of God, to being thankful for His holiness, and commit to praise and worship Him more often according to His holiness; all for His glory? Perhaps, you or I need to repent of unholiness in our life, sin that has not been confessed to God yet; sinful ways and strongholds that have not been turned away from yet to instead pursue holiness and righteousness in Christ.

However God is leading let’s take this moment right now personally to respond to the Holy God Almighty as He calls us to respond. May we humble ourselves before God and His holiness. May we be in awe of God and His holiness. May we magnify God and His holiness. May His holiness transform us and guide into being the people of God He calls us to be; all to His glory!

Mike