The Ubiquity of Profanity
75
Cussing Christians Pt 2
Cussing Christians Pt 1
Cussing Christians Pt 3
Cussing Christians Pt 4
Profane cursing, taking God’s name in vain, to me, is a stupendous and awful vice. Why it is I wonder, that some of the most brilliant and intelligent thoughts emanating from the mind of man are routinely buried in the mud of common profanity. The ubiquity of profanity in this country is pandemic and infects without regard to class, status, race, culture, or gender.
Profanity (prō-fa-nә-tē) is a word choice or usage which many consider to be offensive. The original meaning of the term was restricted to blasphemy, sacrilege or taking God's name in vain (profane speech, or swear word. However, the meaning has been extended to include scatological, sexist, homophobic, racist, or sexual terms. ~ Word IQ.
As Christians, we are all cognizant of the fact that all sin is rebellion against God, all sin is moral guilt under His law, all sin defiles the soul and tattoos the character; but is there a sin as evil as that which, in conjunction with all other sins, attaches God’s holy name with the maledictions of profane cussing? It is not a great sacrilege and dishonoring to the Lord of life? How can we, harmonize cursing with spreading God’s Word to the world? Should we not have sufficient control over our vocabulary to not have to resort to foul language? Is cussing Godly; does it witness to Christ living in us?
Words become profane when sacred meanings are treated in trivial fashion. To use the Lord’s name in vain is to use the Lord’s name in a meaningless, empty way; in a way which has no real value. This includes the often heard “O my God!” and speaking about Him in trifling and flippant ways. Not just cursing but cheapening God’s holiness, treating Him as a commodity; speaking of God in a way that robs Him of His glory and significance. The Greek word bebeloo is translated “profane” twice in the New Testament (Mt. 12:5; Acts 24:6), essentially meaning to take something highly revered and desecrating its sanctity by identifying it with what is common. Though of religious origin (Pope Gregory), we still should not say “God bless you” frivolously or from habit as when someone sneezes, but from a sincere heart and spirit of prayer.
The Third Commandment (second for Lutherans and Catholics) deals specifically with the use of Yahweh’s name in vain; using it with that which lacks reality and truth. The name of God expresses His character and power. To use His name in a way that is not an expression of His divine character, is to use God’s name in vain and in violation to this commandment.
The misuse of God’s name was especially heinous among Old Testament people who believed that the name was an essential part of the personality. The very naming of the name invoked the power of the whole person of whom the name was a part.
Today, people seem to thrive on profanity. Some exhale and inhale it and think nothing about it. They curse when they are mad and when they are happy, sick or well, in seriousness or fun; under all circumstances and for a thousand different reasons they are heard emitting expletives without any shame or regard for others.
According to the Christian Post, noted Scottish scholar William Barclay wrote: “There can never have been a time in history when so much filthy language is used as it is today. And the tragedy is that today there are many people who have become so habituated to unclean talk that they are unaware they are using it.” Now these comments by Barclay were written almost five decades ago. If such was the case then, what is it now?
Wayne Jackson has observed: “Profanity is such an invasive influence; it’s a mind maggot. It gnaws its way into the recesses of one’s thinking; and, if harbored, will make its presence spontaneously felt at the slightest provocation. This is what happens when we allow ourselves to be unnecessarily and regularly exposed to its vileness. We may soon begin to ‘cuss’ mentally even if we don’t verbalize profanity outright.”
Paul tell us, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29.
Christians are called upon to live differently and to act differently. Children of God will not intentionally violate His ethical and moral codes. The use of profanity discloses something about the inner man; a lack of character; it reflects ignorance as well as immaturity, and creates an overall bad Christian impression. There are absolutely no legitimate reasons for saints to use profanity. To praise and worship God and then with the same mouth spewing out invectives toward a brother or sister, and in blatant rebellion against God’s will is a most terrible transgression and a certain indication of Christian immaturity.
Profanity is the most useless of all the vices of man. Some people claim that the use of curse words adds emphasis to their expressions. It may with the crude and profane; but with Christians the profane prefix or suffix depreciates and detracts from an honest and righteous person’s words. “The foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing is a vice so mean and low that every person of sense and character detests and despises it.” George Washington.
Profanity is totally unnecessary and forbidden for Christians who desire emulating our Lord and walking in obedience. Truth and virtue, wisdom, morality and faith, honor and integrity, speak for themselves and do not need the help of vulgarity for emphasis. Suppose you received a bill statement, or a book or a Birthday Card interspersed with profanity. What would that be like for you? How would President Obama’s message on national television come across if it was full of cursing and swearing? Who would not get up and walk out on any speaker whose oratory was coruscated with profanity? Who would remain seated in the pew to listen to the preacher preach using profanity to make a point? Yet, we know members of our Lord’s houses who use profanity frequently and think nothing of it.
And then there are those who will not curse in public but will in regular conversation. If profanity is unacceptable in one place, why not in all places? Profanity has no place or value anywhere.
One day a man was in the hospital and had a stream of visitors from his church. Two men had stopped by, when their quiet conversation was interrupted by another patient's cursing from behind the curtain. Before leaving, the men read some Scripture and prayed.
After they left, the cursing roommate sheepishly confessed, “If I had known one of those guys was a minister, I'd have watched my language.”
“Oh?” the other replied, “You obviously don’t understand. They were the deacons in the church. I’m the minister.”
The proliferation of profanity in American culture indicates a clear secularization and a disregard for Christian values. And, no one is immune from the refuse that plagues our communications. Movie, music and video media pretend to use language as a criterion, but standards of censorship are clearly eroding. Invectives and sayings that were once regarded as profanity are becoming more and more acceptable as common vernacular.
I have noticed that many of the younger generation use curse words as terms of endearment with their friends. Imagine that! Furthermore, children are cursing at younger and younger ages and far too many parents mistakenly think its “cute.” According to research presented at the Sociolinguistics Symposium this past September, Timothy Jay, a psychology professor at Massachusetts College results found that for children “swearing really takes off between (ages) three and four” and it is not so much due to television but their cursing mirrors the rise in cursing among adults. Not only that but many parents not only curse in the presence of their children, but curse at their children, which is tragic because it does nothing but teach the child to curse and assassinates the child’s self-esteem. Later, these same parents will need to deal with the backlash.
If we are striving to emulate Christ then we must meditate upon His holiness and purity and we MUST meditate upon His Word daily for instructions:
“But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips” Colossians 3:8.
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer” Psalm 19:14.
“The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the Day of Judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted and by your words you will be condemned” Matthew 12:35-37.
References:
I Swear, The History of Profanity, Documentary
The Plague of Profanity , The Christian CourierNote
The content of this hub is not in any way intended toward those suffering with Coprolalia Tourette syndrome or related disorders.
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It's so cool you wrote this article now. I was just talking to one of my younger relatives that is grown but still a child about this the other day over email. This is one of the things I said.
"I've always taught you since you were a baby that your words control your destiny. There is a reason fowl language is called "curse words." Because speaking them curses the very air you breath. They not only form other peoples opinions of you in a negetive way they also affect you spiritually."
I'm gonna share this article on my facebook. Christians need to read this.
Brilliant! And, boy, do I agree with you. What we have here is a part of the deconstruction of the American Way of Life in the name of Moral Relativism. As with anything else, kids are taught that there is no right and wrong. Therefore, it follows that if certain words are offensive to you, that's your problem. I make up my own morality on the fly. My school taught me that there is no such thing as right or wrong. Well, unless you are "intolerant" and not "inclusive" and "politically correct." Those are the only clear cut wrongs left in America. Thanks for a great Hub.
RevLady, I never tire of reading what God has laid on your heart. This is one of those messages, that will leave many...speechless. Your word "Profanity is totally unnecessary and forbidden for Christians who desire emulating our Lord and walking in obedience"...kind of says it all. imo.
I vote up and then some.
Thank you for a great hub on Profanity, I have always hated it, from childhood. Psalms 141: verse 3: Set a watch,O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. 4. Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity:and let me not eat of their dainties. This is a very good prayer for those that can't seem to say the correct words. Children of God have to be aware of the words they speak. God bless this hub . creativeone59
This is my favorite hub, yes it is a big problem today. great hub! great hub!
Watch your thoughts – They become Words
Watch your Words – They become Actions
Watch your Actions – They become Habits
Watch your Habits – They become Character
Watch your Character – It shall become your Destiny
Rev Lady, GREAT MESSAGE! This is so right on and timely! I recently heard a rather despairing profane message from a woman who was inflamed by recent revelation of sexual encounters between male clergy and young men in the church…. Her language was so profusely belligerently explicit that it was a bit frightening! In between her horrendous cussing she mentioned God often and her belief as a Christian. However I realized that she had lost all respect for this pastor that she had no fear of being convicted of her offensive speech by anyone! Because of his perverted behavior she felt justified and she was infuriated!!
This is what happens when sin of any sort is justified. It is scandalously heinous to think that one does not realize the disservice that is done in the Name of the Lord when one excuses immoral behavior especially when they say they are called to minister. As an old pastor of mine would say “it is in your Bible if you have not torn it out!” This is what time it is… I have never subscribed to profanity and I must admit that it is difficult to watch some very good movies without it being intermittently laced with colorful language. I can get beyond that… But this was like nothing I have ever heard… what was so startling was she was in no way inhibited and there was not an inkling of shame. It was as though she was so mad and irritated that she found release in voicing her raw vulgar expletive language or should I say “ubiquitous profanities. “
As you stated; “Christians are called upon to live differently and to act differently. Children of God will not intentionally violate His ethical and moral codes. The use of profanity discloses something about the inner man; a lack of character; it reflects ignorance as well as immaturity, and creates an overall bad Christian impression. There are absolutely no legitimate reasons for saints to use profanity. To praise and worship God and then with the same mouth spewing out invectives toward a brother or sister, and in blatant rebellion against God’s will is a most terrible transgression and a certain indication of Christian immaturity.“ Amen & AMEN!
"Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight o Lord my strength and my Redeemer."
Excellent! Thank you as always for sharing, In His Love, Grace, Joy, Peace & Blessings!
Excellent message and you did a wonderful job delivering it. I'm rating this up!
Rev Lady, seems you wrote this for me. I've been called on this and recently had to admit that whether it be in writings or comments it adds nothing to a story or conversation, and I was at times guilty of purposefully using it. I'm not too proud of an old habit, that is recognized by my self these days as a choice. I was raised with out it ever being used in the home and the whippings seemed to just make me choose the where and when. The Marine Corps it seemed was government issue language, and was so repetitious it became ingrained in many, myself not withstanding, by any means. An excuse? No, there were those despite the flurry of it's prevalence did not join in with the rest of us, thus leaving it a choice as I see it. I can speak with people all day long and not use a hint of foul language. Then I can get around others that use it, and like a light switch I turn on and my language turns bad. "Profanity is a crutch for an inarticulate person" is a quote I was told one time, seems it is often true.
This is a great message and one I particularly need to pay attention to. Thank you, Dusty
RevLady your message on profanity is right on time.I see good people use it when they are in a crowd of people using it.I let a word slip when angered,it's an old habit that comes our when least expected,but you know what,just as soon as the word is out of my mouth,i feel bad and ask for forgiveness,that's how i know it's wrong.If it was ok,i wouldn't feel bad.also iv'e seen many people claim godliness and never use profanity in any way,yet,they are judgemental toward another and will walk away from that person instead of showing kindness,thus,helping him see a different way of life.Thank you so much for all you do to help us try to do our best to lift others up.
Love and Peace
We, the church, need to be the standard bearer for right and wrong. Today's youth use foul language perhaps more than any other generation. It is a symptom of a much larger problem. As brother James pointed out, the lines of right and wrong have been blurred to this generation. Moral relativism is now king. We can hold up the standard in such a way as to not sound holier than thou. When I hear people curse, and they know or find out that I am a Christian and then apologise, I say "If you feel comfortable using that kind of language in front of Holy, Almighty God, I don't know why it would make you uncomfortable to use it in front of me." It usually opens up a discussion where the love of God can be shared.
Great hub as usual!
Hello Reverend Lady, happy greetings to you on this wet and cold Saturday morning (in "sunny" San Jose, California).
I loved your hub! Many, many Christians today cuss for no reason at all. Like you said, whether they are angry or happy. They attend church regularly, behave properly, in speech and mannerisms, all while in the house of God. But the moment they are out of such atmosphere they behave no different than the rest of the world.
Little children do mimic their elders at home - their parents. This is very disturbing. "The Awesome Responsibility of Mothers" says it all very perfect. We have power to teach good, and yet we abuse it with careless negligence, rebellious disobedience, lack of respect for God!
My husband has been noted often throughout his life as a man who does not cuss. People don't have to know him long before they notice that he is a man that keeps his words to a minimum. I am very proud of him for that. He has taught me a lot in our almost twenty-nine years of marriage. :)
Thank you, thank you for such a lovely hub. It needed to be written.
Much love and GIANT hugs to you today, in Christ Jesus,
VKA
Loved the opening picture of the sign. : ) My husband and I went to Virgina Beach this summer and I saw this on the street there. I had never seen such a thing before. I was so amused by it thinking they should be everywhere.
When I returned from my prodigal living years ago, cleaning up my mouth was quite the struggle. I now have a literal physical aversion to certain words that I used to speak myself...thank you Jesus..all glory to Him.
I also discovered that taking His name in vain can mean how we live as well. How we live and what we say at times makes His name good or bad in the eyes and ears of others.
enjoyed the story of the man in the hospital.
WOW! "Parents who cuss in the presence of or at their children ought to be ashamed. It is a form of child emotional abuse." Reverend Lady, I had never thought to look at it that way, but you are so right.
Bad choice of words used in-front of our children IS a form of abuse. My heart breaks every time I hear a parent use such language, especially when they know the Word. How sad, but how awful I feel to not say anything. I become a mute, for fear of being cast-out. Though that should not matter - I know.
Thank you again, RevLady.
God bless,
VKA
I guess I am lucky where I live, I never have to listen to profanity and I don't like it either. I know my son-in-law uses it when I am not around, maybe even my daughter, they were service people a few years and it seems that comes with the territory. I don't like to hear it but I think with God it is the feeling that bring these words on more than the words, like anger or hate or cruelness. I had a friend as a kid whose dad was a preacher and i had to be careful at there house because you couldn't say nothing that sounded like God like Gosh or Golly, shoot,dag nab it(which doesn't sound like God)...I mean things like that,,so silly and everyone of his kids were meaner than striped snakes behind his back, I think that is what happens when Christian men try to take that much power away from their kids, it probably made them say much worse out of his earshot. When I wen to church with them a few times he wouldn't let me give my quarter, he gave me a dollar to give, I can't say why but I know that was so wrong. Now I won't say if my dad banged a finger with a hammer something might sneak out but nothing awful or often but not one of us 7 kids ever cursed in front of our parents and our kids never did us and still do not. I would make anyone leave my house or I would leave theirs if I ever heard bad language, as I say other than a slip, which I have to bite a tongue on sometimes myself when I stub my toes so much running around bare feet,or knock a can of food down on a toe...I would never take the Lords name in vain I can assure you, no matter what.
Profanity is always just a veil covering anger
Since we started researching and using the Sacred Name, we found that one of the reasons the priesthood hid the Father's Name, was to keep it or protect it from being blasphemed - but - at the same time, they stole it from those who would use it properly and correctly. Since we embraced His Name - Yahweh - we have taught that taking His Name upon you, using it, makes you accountable to how you behave while using it. Profanity can be a rebellion to the Lord, as well as to the society in which one lives. We see so many use it to be anti-cultural, almost to be purposefully rude. It's not what enters a man that defileth, but what comes out. (Matthew 7:18-20) Peace.
Cursing has always been interpreted as offensive to my ears. Though some may argue that that it is just the way I was brought up, as a teenager, people are exposed to more people whose language become loser when they are no longer in the presence of their elders.
I didn't like the idea of picking up the habit of swearing because I never wanted to feel that I had to restrain my mouth, depending on whose presence I was in. If I wince at the sound of vulgarity, why do I want to take part in that?
People often say things they regret, and swearing should be on that list. Though I do not want to judge those who do have a colorful form of speaking, I have personally chosen to keep the words spewing from my own mouth as clean as possible. My manner of speech is not something I want to be ashamed of.
This indeed is the result of why we here are happy to call you pastor. It is even more strange when caught in situations around the office in which casual conversation leads to endless rambling, I have been caught one too many times ranting about a new procedure of ill usefulness. Other times I use clever high minded descriptive’s only to have confused looks staring back at me. Generally co-workers avoid crude jokes around me and move to other rooms, this at least lets me know they respect my space.
I agree with the thoughts of so many here, James said it best about moral relativism, if we stop pushing for higher expectation, then all we are left with is low behavior. God Bless pastor, your teaching moments are always timely.
It is very disheartenibg to know that profanity is so pervasive in our modern generation. Even among Hollywood movies profanity is so rampant mentioning the name of JesusChrist whenever they are frightened. How could we profane such holy name. People in today's generation have been so careless in expressing words. Thank you for bringing this out into light. Thank you for sharing this timely hub here at Hubpages, Blessings to you and best regards.
YES! YES! AMEN! I remember before I became saved I would curse like a salior! It was my weapon and I had it bad! When I became saved, I prayed to the Lord to take this from me in 1998, quest what? He did! I was amazed and blessed! I have a t-shirt that says, "God's last name isn't Dammit! And I am bold enough to wear it. I love Him so, He is so real and His Word is real as well!! Wonderful Hub!! Voted-up!
I can't stand profanity and try to avoid it in company.
"Ubiquity" now there's a 500 dollar word I've never heard before, but since RevLady is using it I guess I'd better look it up.
Brother Dave.
Fantastic hub. GBY
Make no mistake profanity is definately rampant, especially at my workplace. I pray for them, but I also pray for myself.
Let me explain, when I was a child profanity seemed like a second spoken language, not in my home, but in the neighborhood and mostly it was spoken in anger, thus being the true curse, to curse another.
Now, sadly when sometimes I lose my cool and really it has lessened, I have reverted to these "curse words" for which after speaking them I never feel good about it or for that matter the emotion of anger.
I am a sinner, but I am a believer and therefore I know there is hope for me.
Please, to those whom may think this is a matter of discipline, as in a choice, I tell you it is more like a disease and the only cure I know of is that of my Savior's continued love for me.
Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. Luke 5:31 (NIV)
Although my youthful language was salty, I've grown to dislike profanity, and only use it in my writings when it seems appropriate. Even then, I only use the milder forms.
I also used to take the Lord's name in vain, a failing that I pray will be forgiven.
For me, I consider profanity and obscenity abuse and don't allow it in my personal life. I've walked out of movies because of it and left dinners and other social events because of it and told the people why.
I am happy to be able to review movies for a website for parents and tally the profanity and violent scenes, etc. I think this helps families a lot, to know what's in the films before subjecting a child to one of them.
Rated your Hub up and several others. Happy Easter.

































"Quill" 18 months ago
Hi RevLady... as always this is right on the mark and resounds deep within. The use of His name other than t praise Him is something each of us need to remember. Before I became a Christian the garbage which rolled off my tongue could win contests in the world. It was well practiced and was well known in the circles I traveled in.
The amazing thing is the following morning after I had given my life to Him it stopped, as if I had been gagged. Completely stopped, that too me was witness enough to His power and might in my life.
Blessings and Hugs