If you’ve been a Christian for some time, chances are you’ll encounter the discussion of profanity, on whether or not it’s ok for Christians to use in speech. For the past few years, it has been a contentious point of discussion, particularly for those involved in the Christian Hip Hop/Christian rap community like I am. This past weekend, the conversation has started again in that community.
Personally? I’ve grown tired of this issue being brought up again, yet here I am writing a post on this.
Your face after reading that
ANYWAYS. I get tired of it, because it gets volatile and there’s so much ignorance concerning cursing, profanity and what the Bible has to say about it. Usually, cursing is primarily thought of as profanity, when the Bible addresses cursing differently.
Most people who think of cursing as mainly profanity also engage in cursing other people, yet don’t even realize it. Saying things like, “You’ll never amount to anything!“, or “Kill yourself!” are incredibly destructive and corrupt patterns of speech. “Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so” says James in chapter 3 verse 10.
We can get so used to talking in a destructive manner without profanity, or hearing others do so, that we only react strongly when profanity is used. We all aim for pure speech as Christians, and in the midst of our rejection of profanity, we overlook corrupt speech when we or others speak curses against someone.
In saying all of that, the issue of Christians and profanity doesn’t go away because there’s a difference between cursing and profanity. There’s no way that I can touch on every angle of this discussion in this particular post, but I still would like to give some thoughts concerning profanity.
Profanity is defined as, “blasphemous or obscene language“, and as the definition shows it has two meanings. Originally, it meant speaking of God and using His name in a negative or careless way, and then included dirty or foul words. These two kinds of profanity are also brought together, and God/Jesus Christ is combined with four letter words.
For those who argue that profanity is not inherently sinful will find some historical evidence for this, because some words that are explicit now were different back then, but I believe that there’s less to win and more to lose when standing on this argument. The case would’ve been stronger if the only ones who rejected foul language were Christians, yet we find that it’s rejected by society at large. We can go back and forth on how valid that is, but what’s undeniable is that it exists.
Having this understanding, profanity isn’t something that believers should encourage or be comfortable around. Your response concerning the use of profanity will even determine where your own heart is as well, for it involves the kind of speech that is unnecessary and harmful.
One more thing that I’d like to address is the contention that Paul used profanity, specifically when referring to the value of everything gained outside of Christ in Philippians 3:8.
The Greek word for loss in this verse is skubalon, which means dung/excrement, where some contend that it’s equivalent to the word sh*t today.
Strong’s Concordance Entry For Skubalon
The Bible uses strong imagery and shocking analogies that describe different things for sure; from the way God felt about Israel’s sin, to our righteousness being as filthy rags, and more. However, there’s no need to assert that foul language was used, as if strong imagery or shock is the same as vulgar and profane. The writers of the Bible were very blunt, as was much of the ancient world, but they didn’t engage in profanity as it’s seen today.
Whenever there’s an issue that may not have a direct reference, you can be assured that every now and then, it’ll come up for discussion. It annoys me, but I also realize that it’s not a frivolous thing. As believers, our faith requires thinking, and this topic is no different. It’s what made me want to speak on this. Whether profanity is used in a negative or positive way, it’s less likely to help, and more likely to harm.
Let us show how free we are by choosing to be honorable and pure in our speech. We aren’t perfect, I mean I can’t tell you how often I’ve cursed playing NBA 2K! I’m TELLING you they want me to lose LOL! I’ve touched the tip of the iceberg, and who knows, I may speak on the other angles of this as well. But what are your thoughts on profanity? I’d like to know in the comments below!
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Thoughts Of Redemption 
Well, i don’t have much to say but I def thought of these verses in James
“For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.”
James 3:2, 13-14
And that last verse (James 3:14) reminds me of Jesus when he stated what defiles the body and it’s what comes from within. “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.”
Matthew 15:18-20
Even tho Jesus was addressing the topic of eating with unclean hands it’s very clear that what makes a person unclean is what comes from within. I don’t curse anymore but there’s def worse things than an f bomb which is the equivalent of saying is screw you or whatever. Which to me is still proclaiming a type of curse on someone. Same as calling someone stupid, or slandering lies. etc. If someone has a potty mouth and just cant proclaim wholesome things with their speech…to me there’s a greater problem within that person that needs to be addressed. They need more of Jesus and his love and his light to shine on those dark places within them.
Lol and I did say I didn’t have much to say but it looks like I had a lot to say. Hope it’s understandable tho. Great blog btw.
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Amen!!!! I couldn’t remember which verses spoke of what you provided. Great words. Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you so much!
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Oops sorry, you were replying to Keturah haha!
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LOL! Yeah. 🙂
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I love & receive this! My thoughts are that profanity rarely edifices. Therefore, even if one argues it’s use isn’t always destructive, one can argue that it’s never necessary. If we as believers aspire to be led by the Holy Spirit in all things including speech, then speech that is undoubtedly a risk to utter in terms of how it penetrates the ear gate of those on the receiving end, says it is never used under the anointing. Just the same, hurtful words or speaking negativity over a person’s life or spirit fits the same description. Matthew 5:44 instructs us to love our enemies and to bless those who curse us. With that, is it not safe to assess that we to love and bless everyone, as is we are instructed in scripture through and through? This is reiterated in Romans 12:14, which instructs us to bless even those who persecute us, rather than curse them. In this context, I believe “curse” refers to words even thought of due to anger and intended to tear down rather than build up. Even if just to fantasize momentarily about our brother or sister’s misfortune.
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Agreed, good thoughts!
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*edifies
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Ugh! Please fix my typos. 😦
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I had to giggle, because I cannot stand when I see all of my typos and can’t do anything about it!
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Lol I feel the exact same way!
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I’m a work in progress, but the more I seek God, the more I become aware of my choice of words. Baby steps towards dicipline and recovery..
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I hear that, thank you for your honesty, God is with you for sure 🙂
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I believe what comes out of my mouth matters greatly. I am not perfect, to be sure, but this is an area I have grown a great deal in. I love how reasonable you state the matter and I am always so happy to see when believers get into Greek and Hebrew word roots! It opens up so much of what we read in scripture.
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Thank you! Amen.
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The first scripture that comes to mind is Ephesians 4:29 “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.” Coming from a home where it was normal to use profanity, it took some time to be set free from it even after getting saved. But I can proudly say that I am set free from this. I believe that if someone is using these words without the feeling of conviction, I would question where they are in their walk. Only because it just feels bad whenever these words are used and because there are so many other words in the English vocabulary that can substitute those words. Now I understand sometimes we get angry and it slips out but there really isn’t any justification for this if we don’t ask for forgiveness and repent from it. It’s not for casual use. Great post!
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