Cursing

[nobspeople]

Recently, a Netflix documentary speaks about the history of a handful of curse/swear words.
Growing up, I always noticed a distinct difference in what one group considers 'swear words' (as they called it) and what another group didn't.
Before the age of 10 I had figured out it's more about what the words means or what the word is attempting to convey than it is about the word itself (saying "Ah crap!" means the same as saying "Ah s**t!", just with different words).

I worked with a preacher who used the F word with his wife (when he was fired they cleaned out his desk and found a letter he wrote to her with included the F would multiple times is how we knew) and he didn't seem to have any issues with it (though it must be said I never heard him say it while angry at work).

Another church member I grew up with had a certain word she didn't think was 'bad' that she would say, but everyone else in her family and in the church thought it a 'bad word'.


For discussion:
How do (or should) Christians approach swear or curse words in daily life?
Are they OK? Does it depend on how they're used?
And should Christians take in to account how others around them perceive the words they use?

And please please please don't allow this thread to devolve in to the specific words and name calling.


œ Mods: I tried to make sure no rules were broken in the beginning of this thread.

[DieAmartyr]

[Replying to nobspeople in post #1]
The way I look at it is if how would you speak if you were in the presence of Jesus Himself? Do I always follow this? No. Not as much as I should.
I have found it convicting me much more since I have been baptized, and I do cringe inside depending on what is being said by others as I notice how vulgar it can sound whether it is a couple of guys on the bus talking telling a story about a woman or my husband angrily talking to me about work dropping f bombs every other word. I try not to make mention of it because I am the one who is changing and cursing just isn't for me anymore. I slip up occasionally but I am nothing like I was. It really depends on who I am talking to. We should all speak like we are in the Lords presence because in truth,...we are.

[brunumb]

The use of swear words doesn't bother me at all and I sometimes use them myself. There are people who obviously don't like them and I show them respect by not using inappropriate language unless I know how they feel about it. Otherwise, they're just words used to express an emotion.

[The Barbarian]

There's a Netflix show I watched recently speaking to the origins of several 'bad words'. One of them was the 'F' word. I don't recall them referencing your claim about the 'F' word. I don't remember exactly, but I seem to recall it has its origins based off some family royalty or the like.

Ah, the "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge." Clever, but false etymology.

[Miles]

[Replying to nobspeople in post #1]
The way I look at it is if how would you speak if you were in the presence of Jesus Himself? Do I always follow this? No. Not as much as I should.
I have found it convicting me much more since I have been baptized, and I do cringe inside depending on what is being said by others as I notice how vulgar it can sound whether it is a couple of guys on the bus talking telling a story about a woman or my husband angrily talking to me about work dropping f bombs every other word. I try not to make mention of it because I am the one who is changing and cursing just isn't for me anymore. I slip up occasionally but I am nothing like I was. It really depends on who I am talking to. We should all speak like we are in the Lords presence because in truth,...we are.

Then there's nothing he hasn't heard before, and if he's well grounded and able to put it in perspective, it shouldn't bother him one wit. So the problem would seem to lie all within yourself. My suggestion: work on not letting it be meaningful.


.

[nobspeople]

There's a Netflix show I watched recently speaking to the origins of several 'bad words'. One of them was the 'F' word. I don't recall them referencing your claim about the 'F' word. I don't remember exactly, but I seem to recall it has its origins based off some family royalty or the like.

Ah, the "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge." Clever, but false etymology.

Assumption on your part. Which I had originally, as well. But you are wrong, as was I. That's not where it came from. It was surprising. Might want to check it out and learn more about it before assuming, as I did originally.

[The Barbarian]

https://www.etymonline.com/word/fuck

[otseng]

https://www.etymonline.com/word/fuck

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[1213]

...
How do (or should) Christians approach swear or curse words in daily life?
Are they OK? Does it depend on how they're used?
And should Christians take in to account how others around them perceive the words they use?
...

Bible has these at least these scriptures about how people should speak:

Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
Col. 4:6

I tell you that every idle word that men speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.
Matt. 12:36

Bless those who persecute you; bless, and don't curse.
Romans 12:14

The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, But the perverse tongue will be cut off. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, But the mouth of the wicked is perverse.
Pro. 10:31-32

I think that means, it is better not to curse. I don’t think this means Christians should be word polices.

[nobspeople]

...
How do (or should) Christians approach swear or curse words in daily life?
Are they OK? Does it depend on how they're used?
And should Christians take in to account how others around them perceive the words they use?
...

Bible has these at least these scriptures about how people should speak:

Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
Col. 4:6

I tell you that every idle word that men speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.
Matt. 12:36

Bless those who persecute you; bless, and don't curse.
Romans 12:14

The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, But the perverse tongue will be cut off. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, But the mouth of the wicked is perverse.
Pro. 10:31-32

I think that means, it is better not to curse. I don’t think this means Christians should be word polices.

What does 'curse' mean to you? How would you define it for yourself? How do you define it for all Christians? What words would be included?

[1213]

...
Bless those who persecute you; bless, and don't curse.
Romans 12:14
...

What does 'curse' mean to you? How would you define it for yourself? How do you define it for all Christians? What words would be included?

In this case, it is basically the opposite of blessing, wishing something bad to other, as told for example in this article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curse

Nowadays cursing may mean that person uses certain words that are considered bad, but it is not necessarily intentional wish for bad. In that case I think it is an “idle word”, which also is not good, as Matt. 12:36 shows.