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Cussing

Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2006 7:46 pm
by The Gross 1
Everywhere I go I hear people including certain four letter words in their everyday lexicon. It suprises me especially when they're older Christians using these words. I've met a couple of pastors and other Christians that use these words like there is nothing wrong. My question is, is it wrong or is it not. The majority of the time I don't use these words but when I slip i feel as though I've sinned. Someone please give me some insight on this issue. Please share with me what is acceptable and what is not as a young Christian in highschool dealing with the issue of cussing.

Re: Cussing

Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2006 8:27 pm
by Gman
The Gross 1 wrote:Everywhere I go I hear people including certain four letter words in their everyday lexicon. It suprises me especially when they're older Christians using these words. I've met a couple of pastors and other Christians that use these words like there is nothing wrong. My question is, is it wrong or is it not. The majority of the time I don't use these words but when I slip i feel as though I've sinned. Someone please give me some insight on this issue. Please share with me what is acceptable and what is not as a young Christian in highschool dealing with the issue of cussing.
Yes I believe cussing is sinful and stupid... Using foul language is actually a childish way to respond to a situation. I was raised to believe that cussing was low class..

I too catch many people (and Christians) that think it is ok or cool.. I wouldn't necessarily say it's the older one's doing it all the time. If you watch t.v. and movies today from like 20 to 30 years ago, things have changed greatly.. There are even cuss words in G rated movies now also.

I often see this Christian guy called "Dog the bounty hunter" on t.v. cuss all the time then pray afterwards.. Nice..

The Bible is pretty clear about using foul language.

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

1 Peter 3:10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile.

Unfortunately, I too lose my cool and swear. I've gotten a bit better at stopping it though, I just try to redirect my thoughts.. Also, a little help from God never hurts either..

Re: Cussing

Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 7:01 am
by bizzt
The Gross 1 wrote:Everywhere I go I hear people including certain four letter words in their everyday lexicon. It suprises me especially when they're older Christians using these words. I've met a couple of pastors and other Christians that use these words like there is nothing wrong. My question is, is it wrong or is it not. The majority of the time I don't use these words but when I slip i feel as though I've sinned. Someone please give me some insight on this issue. Please share with me what is acceptable and what is not as a young Christian in highschool dealing with the issue of cussing.
I stand out all the time when I do my Cuss but I don't Cuss using a swear word but usually a word like Snot. I learned long ago that my words have an affect on the people around me. So if I use a word like S*** F*** then I have an Affect on the People around me. With an effort on your part change those words and use Snot, Shoot, Crap... It helps to keep the same Expression without using Vulgar words. Of course some might still think those are Vulgar :D. I think the only word when used in its proper context is A S S. As even the Bible uses that word. Keep your lips holy for what you speaks comes from your Heart and therefore is a representation of who you are!

Pro 4:24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.
Pro 8:7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
Pro 10:18 He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.
Pro 12:22 Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.
Pro 14:7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.
1Pe 3:10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
Heb 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
Mat 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoreth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

I think the Above should be enough

Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 4:02 pm
by Judah
Crikey! :shock:

Why pick a yuck word at all, Bizzt?
I don't want to be distracted by the thought of stuff out of your nose when you talk to me.
If you have something meaningful to say, then by crikey, simply say it. :P

Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2006 9:54 am
by Turgonian
Socrates said Ní¨ ton kuna -- 'By the dog!' (Pronounce 'í¨' as in 'fair'.) That sounds very stylish. A decent Ancient Greek exclamation. ;)

Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2006 10:23 pm
by The Gross 1
I thank you all for all of your help. It's good to see that the internet is being used to spread God's word. This is great! Thanks guys.

Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2006 10:29 pm
by Gman
Thanks for bringing that up... It is an important topic. :)

Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2006 12:50 pm
by bizzt
Judah wrote:Crikey! :shock:

Why pick a yuck word at all, Bizzt?
I don't want to be distracted by the thought of stuff out of your nose when you talk to me.
If you have something meaningful to say, then by crikey, simply say it. :P
Case in Point Crikey ;) :P

Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2006 2:19 pm
by FFC
bizzt wrote:
Judah wrote:Crikey! :shock:

Why pick a yuck word at all, Bizzt?
I don't want to be distracted by the thought of stuff out of your nose when you talk to me.
If you have something meaningful to say, then by crikey, simply say it. :P
Case in Point Crikey ;) :P
Who is Crikey? :?

Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2006 2:31 pm
by Canuckster1127
crikey - euphemism for Christ, first recorded 1838.

Most using it, probably don't realize the origin but we do the same thing in the US to avoid using the name of Christ as a swear word in expressions such as "by Jove" or "Jiminy Cricket."

Some call it a "minced" expression.

Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2006 2:46 pm
by FFC
Canuckster1127 wrote:crikey - euphemism for Christ, first recorded 1838.

Most using it, probably don't realize the origin but we do the same thing in the US to avoid using the name of Christ as a swear word in expressions such as "by Jove" or "Jiminy Cricket."

Some call it a "minced" expression.
That's what I thought. Which leads me to another question. Are substitute cuss words okay to say, since the sentiment is still the same? Are cleaned up cuss words like bloody, darn, fudge, freakin', crikey doggoned, shoot, etc, etc...okay, even though they come from the same sinful place in our hearts...or do they?

Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2006 3:02 pm
by Canuckster1127
FFC wrote:
Canuckster1127 wrote:crikey - euphemism for Christ, first recorded 1838.

Most using it, probably don't realize the origin but we do the same thing in the US to avoid using the name of Christ as a swear word in expressions such as "by Jove" or "Jiminy Cricket."

Some call it a "minced" expression.
That's what I thought. Which leads me to another question. Are substitute cuss words okay to say, since the sentiment is still the same? Are cleaned up cuss words like bloody, darn, fudge, freakin', crikey doggoned, shoot, etc, etc...okay, even though they come from the same sinful place in our hearts...or do they?
I don't have a definitive answer to that.

Scripture in some places uses emphatic phrases. Paul often used a Greek Expression for emphasis that translates into English "May it never be" or "God Forbid." He uses it 10 times in Romans.

Apparently, according to some exegetes, that expression would be similar to an rhetorical question in english where the answer would equate to something like, "Hell no!!"

The standard I hold myself to, is to never use the name of God or Jesus in such a manner and where I know better, not to use euphemisms.

In high school, (lo those many years ago) I developed a reputation for the phrase, "Oh, Scum." I still fall back on it on occassion.

There's nothing particularly inherent in a word except what a culture or society attributes to it in terms of meaning. I figure if I'm an ambassador for Christ I should speak as if I were one in the context of the culture and society I live in. That'll differ in Australia, France or any number of areas. It doesn't necessarily matter what I think I meant, it's how others will view me and the God I claim to serve.

I'll confess I'm not perfect however and I've often violated my own standards. When I do, I pause, ask God for forgiveness if I've used His name in vain, and move on purposing to do better.

Outside of God's name, the crass words for bodily functions, etc. are what people take them to mean and are recognized as crass or to be rarely used for emphasis, pretty much by consensus. In English that equates to some single syllable harsh sounding words that find their roots in our Anglo-Saxon past. People generally think of those words as wrong and rude, so it's best to accept the social norm and not associate my testimony with them.

My opinion anyway.

Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2006 7:27 pm
by Judah
The word "crikey" for me never was a euphemism, but simply a nothing word to indicate astonishment.
Now that Canuckster has pointed out that it was a euphemism for Christ, then I wont use it.
I do say "Rats!" and I doubt that is a euphemism for anything.

Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2006 9:47 am
by bizzt
Judah wrote:The word "crikey" for me never was a euphemism, but simply a nothing word to indicate astonishment.
Now that Canuckster has pointed out that it was a euphemism for Christ, then I wont use it.
I do say "Rats!" and I doubt that is a euphemism for anything.
Except for the Animal which might lead to much Excitement :D :P

Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2006 9:49 am
by bizzt
Canuckster1127 wrote:
FFC wrote:
Canuckster1127 wrote:crikey - euphemism for Christ, first recorded 1838.

Most using it, probably don't realize the origin but we do the same thing in the US to avoid using the name of Christ as a swear word in expressions such as "by Jove" or "Jiminy Cricket."

Some call it a "minced" expression.
That's what I thought. Which leads me to another question. Are substitute cuss words okay to say, since the sentiment is still the same? Are cleaned up cuss words like bloody, darn, fudge, freakin', crikey doggoned, shoot, etc, etc...okay, even though they come from the same sinful place in our hearts...or do they?
I don't have a definitive answer to that.

Scripture in some places uses emphatic phrases. Paul often used a Greek Expression for emphasis that translates into English "May it never be" or "God Forbid." He uses it 10 times in Romans.

Apparently, according to some exegetes, that expression would be similar to an rhetorical question in english where the answer would equate to something like, "Hell no!!"

The standard I hold myself to, is to never use the name of God or Jesus in such a manner and where I know better, not to use euphemisms.

In high school, (lo those many years ago) I developed a reputation for the phrase, "Oh, Scum." I still fall back on it on occassion.

There's nothing particularly inherent in a word except what a culture or society attributes to it in terms of meaning. I figure if I'm an ambassador for Christ I should speak as if I were one in the context of the culture and society I live in. That'll differ in Australia, France or any number of areas. It doesn't necessarily matter what I think I meant, it's how others will view me and the God I claim to serve.

I'll confess I'm not perfect however and I've often violated my own standards. When I do, I pause, ask God for forgiveness if I've used His name in vain, and move on purposing to do better.

Outside of God's name, the crass words for bodily functions, etc. are what people take them to mean and are recognized as crass or to be rarely used for emphasis, pretty much by consensus. In English that equates to some single syllable harsh sounding words that find their roots in our Anglo-Saxon past. People generally think of those words as wrong and rude, so it's best to accept the social norm and not associate my testimony with them.

My opinion anyway.
Good Show... or how about Nice Post Bart. I find I live in a Cussing Generation and to stand out from the Norm is to use words other then the "Bad" words labelled by Society. In the End it allows me to Minister to those that use those words :)