Last week we began looking at how words that we use have meanings. This week we will continue that study as we look at some other commonly used cuss words and how God speaks of the things we are saying when we use them. Again, this is a very difficult thing to do because it is not my intention to write in a way that is offensive to anyone’s sensibilities. But in light of the coarsening of our culture, as well as how few, if any, are saying anything about this from a Biblical standpoint, I will endeavor to do this with candor as well as caution. As we did last week, we will not look at these things from a “you can’t say this” kind of attitude. What we are doing is looking at what Scripture says about what these words actually mean - and then ask ourselves the question whether using these words is a wise or godly thing for us to do.
One of the most commonly used cuss words in our day is the one that refers to the act of sexual intercourse. This word seems to be one that is gaining popularity more every year. Again most people use it as either an adverb or an adjective. It is used even as a response to someone when you are angry with them. My guess is that even non-christians are going to be pretty shocked to hear a believer use this kind of language. Even among those who are lost, this word is referred to with its first letter and the word bomb attached to it. That is most likely because when used, it has the effect of a kind of verbal explosion. When this word is used in a setting where two people are arguing with one another - there is a fair chance a fight will break out. Again, those who use it simply state that it is a word - but even then some shrink from using it because it can cause problems when used.
How does God view sexual intercourse - or at least someone referring to it when speaking to others. If referring to sexual immorality, the Word of God is very clear about this word. According to 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8, we are to abstain from sexual immorality, learning how to possess our sexual desires in a way that honors God. In an even more strident text, we read in Ephesians the following admonition, “But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints;” (Ephesians 5:3). If God wants us to abstain from the act - and calls us not even to name immorality and impurity - one would think it is not a stretch to see that speaking such things flippantly and in anger would be unwise and would grieve God. Verses 5 and 6 of this same passage go even further stating that those involved in immorality are guilty of idolatry. Paul goes as far as to warn the Ephesians against being deceived with empty words about this - because the wrath of God would come on those who are the sons of disobedience. Colossians 3 reiterates the same thing as well. In addition to calling us not even to name such things among us - God also states in Hebrews 13:4 that the marriage bed is something holy and is to be held in honor. The writer of Hebrews warns that God will judge both fornicators (sex among unmarried people) and adulterers (sex involving someone having intercourse with someone who is not their husband or wife). This is how God views sexual intercourse itself - let alone the slang word for it regardless of whether it is in a marriage or being entered into by fornicators and adulterers.
God gave us sex. It is something that was given to married couples as a gift from God. As such, God treats it with honor and respect. He considers it something holy - and not to be spoken of without a sense of reverence for what He has given us. Unfortunately sin has taken something God intended to be holy, and made it something perverse outside of the marriage of a man and a woman. Discussion of such things should be in the context of God’s gift - in the context of marriage - and not for use as a cuss word that our culture seems to be saying every few minutes. It has degenerated into a word used to insult people and to cut them down. One aspect of this that I’ve seen again and again is that this is turning into an angry word - to be used when people are frustrated, mad, and often in the midst of a raging fit. When I get around someone who uses this word with great regularity, it is as if they have lost the concept of how to modify another word except by using this word perversely. It is also one that unfortunately has come to dominate our military. Often I’ve heard it used by those in the military and in films depicting our armed forces with a regularity that makes me cringe. The excuse that is bantered about is that this is just the way that soldiers talk. I find that sad - and an indictment against what I see as a false view of manhood. Unfortunately too many have bought into this with the result that boys who learn to cuss pick up this word and use it thinking it somehow makes them more of a man when they do. Nothing is further from the truth. A real man is one who has learned to control his anger and his language for the good of others around him. I’ll speak more of this in another article.
As I close this article I want to say that my study has led me to believe that this type of speaking is something that deeply grieves God. It is also something that because of its flippant use has cheapened what God meant to something incredibly personal as well as valuable. I’ll end this article with one last comment on the use of this cuss word. It is one that, when used, really damages the testimony of a believer. It is quite a statement when we see even the lost cringe when a believer speaks like this. They inherently know that someone who knows and loves Jesus is someone who puts away talk like this. Too bad that many in the church have so bowed to our culture that they don’t even get this any longer. May God once again teach us restraint and godliness in our speech.
One of the most commonly used cuss words in our day is the one that refers to the act of sexual intercourse. This word seems to be one that is gaining popularity more every year. Again most people use it as either an adverb or an adjective. It is used even as a response to someone when you are angry with them. My guess is that even non-christians are going to be pretty shocked to hear a believer use this kind of language. Even among those who are lost, this word is referred to with its first letter and the word bomb attached to it. That is most likely because when used, it has the effect of a kind of verbal explosion. When this word is used in a setting where two people are arguing with one another - there is a fair chance a fight will break out. Again, those who use it simply state that it is a word - but even then some shrink from using it because it can cause problems when used.
How does God view sexual intercourse - or at least someone referring to it when speaking to others. If referring to sexual immorality, the Word of God is very clear about this word. According to 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8, we are to abstain from sexual immorality, learning how to possess our sexual desires in a way that honors God. In an even more strident text, we read in Ephesians the following admonition, “But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints;” (Ephesians 5:3). If God wants us to abstain from the act - and calls us not even to name immorality and impurity - one would think it is not a stretch to see that speaking such things flippantly and in anger would be unwise and would grieve God. Verses 5 and 6 of this same passage go even further stating that those involved in immorality are guilty of idolatry. Paul goes as far as to warn the Ephesians against being deceived with empty words about this - because the wrath of God would come on those who are the sons of disobedience. Colossians 3 reiterates the same thing as well. In addition to calling us not even to name such things among us - God also states in Hebrews 13:4 that the marriage bed is something holy and is to be held in honor. The writer of Hebrews warns that God will judge both fornicators (sex among unmarried people) and adulterers (sex involving someone having intercourse with someone who is not their husband or wife). This is how God views sexual intercourse itself - let alone the slang word for it regardless of whether it is in a marriage or being entered into by fornicators and adulterers.
God gave us sex. It is something that was given to married couples as a gift from God. As such, God treats it with honor and respect. He considers it something holy - and not to be spoken of without a sense of reverence for what He has given us. Unfortunately sin has taken something God intended to be holy, and made it something perverse outside of the marriage of a man and a woman. Discussion of such things should be in the context of God’s gift - in the context of marriage - and not for use as a cuss word that our culture seems to be saying every few minutes. It has degenerated into a word used to insult people and to cut them down. One aspect of this that I’ve seen again and again is that this is turning into an angry word - to be used when people are frustrated, mad, and often in the midst of a raging fit. When I get around someone who uses this word with great regularity, it is as if they have lost the concept of how to modify another word except by using this word perversely. It is also one that unfortunately has come to dominate our military. Often I’ve heard it used by those in the military and in films depicting our armed forces with a regularity that makes me cringe. The excuse that is bantered about is that this is just the way that soldiers talk. I find that sad - and an indictment against what I see as a false view of manhood. Unfortunately too many have bought into this with the result that boys who learn to cuss pick up this word and use it thinking it somehow makes them more of a man when they do. Nothing is further from the truth. A real man is one who has learned to control his anger and his language for the good of others around him. I’ll speak more of this in another article.
As I close this article I want to say that my study has led me to believe that this type of speaking is something that deeply grieves God. It is also something that because of its flippant use has cheapened what God meant to something incredibly personal as well as valuable. I’ll end this article with one last comment on the use of this cuss word. It is one that, when used, really damages the testimony of a believer. It is quite a statement when we see even the lost cringe when a believer speaks like this. They inherently know that someone who knows and loves Jesus is someone who puts away talk like this. Too bad that many in the church have so bowed to our culture that they don’t even get this any longer. May God once again teach us restraint and godliness in our speech.
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