If you talk to me regularly, you might notice that I never cuss. I do not use swear words in everyday conversation. I have in the past, from time to time, but this is something the Lord has convicted me of and sanctified me from.
But let me also start with a confession. I swear in my head nearly every single day. Every once in a while I make it through a day without a silent SH*% or DA@& floating through my thought life, so I guess I’m more of a six-day-a-week-cusser within the confines of my brain. I chose the photo for this
I am thankful the Holy Spirit has given me a measure of self-control not to say everything I think in my head. Evil thoughts are still sinful, but if I say them out loud, they become doubly sinful
However, I would like to quit swearing in my head.
Christians around me swear all the time. I think it’s become a marker of how “normal” we are… as opposed to being self-righteous, legalistic, or sheltered. This fits into the larger cultural church context of our time. As the church, as a whole, has swung out of the legalistic, fundamental context popular in the late 20th century, there is a drive to live in a grace-culture where all things are permissible. We eat and drink (heavily) with sinners, because that’s what Jesus did.
And you are right. You have the freedom in Christ to say whatever you want. You are free to cuss. Any sinful language that comes out of your mouth is covered by the blood of Christ. And swearing probably isn’t sinful anyway. C
But wait.
The Bible has plenty to say about how we speak, and I don’t remember any of those verses encouraging believers to be profane, offensive, or obscene. Let’s see what Scripture actually says about our speech:
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29
“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Colossians 4:5-6
“Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.” Ephesians 5:4
Our words are intended to build others up. Swear words are rarely used in an uplifiting manner.
Our speech should be seasoned with salt and attractive to outsiders (aka non-believers) so we can gain opportunities to share the gospel with them.
Filthy language and crude talk are contrary to what God values — things that are lovely, pure, and excellent. When we speak words of thanksgiving to God for every gift he’s given us in Christ, we are given peace in our hearts and our minds are guarded against anxiety (see Philippians 4).
Words matter, but it’s not just about what I say or
I find that swearing is most often linked to one of the following:
GOSSIP: “That girl at work is such a “&#@%*.”
COMPLAINING: “My %#*&(%$ boss made me do _________ again. I hate it when I have to stay late for that.”
ANGER: I am so mad that *#&R&#(&$& disrespected me like that. Can’t he even say thank you once in a while?
FEAR OF MAN/PEOPLE PLEASING: Any time you use crude humor or cuss words to fit in with the crowd or elevate yourself in man’s eyes rather than speaking in a way that pleases your Father in heaven.
So even if cussing is not sinful, it is typically linked to a sinful heart (whether in the shape of malice, pride, or carelessness).
When I swear in my head, it’s usually because I am angry (sometimes with a side of complaining). The Bible says there is righteous anger, but when I am cussing someone out internally, it’s probably not the righteous variety. In fact, in our fallen state, human anger rarely produces righteousness (see James 1:19-20) because it does not lead to love, grace, or forgiveness — the things of God.
I want to quit swearing. In my head or out loud.
When God tells me not to conform to the patterns of this world, I don’t want to ask, “Well then how many swear words can I say per day?” “Does it count if I don’t say them out loud?” I want to be set apart. I actually desire a transformed mind that isn’t filled with foul language and hateful thoughts.
I am not just saved from my sin. I am saved to be holy. When I look back on my life, I don’t want to claim I swore 20% less than most other people. I don’t want to admit I wasted my words and had no regard for what the Bible says about my speech. I want to use my words to encourage my Christian brothers and sisters and to tell non-believers about the hope of Jesus. I don’t want my swear words to drown out the message of the gospel. If I claim grace as my reason for sounding just like the world then I’ll likely miss my opportunity to tell the world about grace.
