What makes "a curse word" a curse word? Is it really the word? Or is it the intent of the expression? If the latter, why is it acceptable to use replacement words such as "darn" or "crap" but traditional "four letter words" are condemned? Are we not all cursing anyway? Opinions please :)
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19 replies on this topic
CraigSnedeker - 1/14/12 @ 2:08 PM
I think the words themselves aren't bad, it's how they are used. Also, words change over time.
Example
In my KJV bible, the word "ass" is used a lot to describe livestock, horses, and donkeys. Yet, that word is viewed as a curse word today. Is it? I don't know. If someone used the word "ass" to describe their livestock I could care less, if they used it to describe another human being.. that's a different story.
Stephanie - 1/14/12 @ 2:52 PM
That's a good point. I agree. Though, I feel like there is something else in play. Not sure what, though. I'm not about to sit here and pretend I never curse. I don't like to, but occasionally things slip I that i wish hadn't. When that happens, there is some sinful satisfaction that comes from expressing the emotions using the particular word that slips out. Like if I had just said "crap" It would have been less, oh I don't know, satisfactory? But is that because the word itself is bad, or like you said the way we use it, OR is it more satisfactory in particular just because society, at large, views it as a curse?
That being said, the heart issue with which any of these words ("curse" or not) is used to express the exact same emotion or intent, is identical. Like i could "curse" or say "crap" and mean the exact same thing, with the exact same intensity, but society looks at one as a curse and the other as a simple expression.
How does God view it? Does He view my words as "cursing" or "unclean" simply when one of the traditional "curse words" slips out? Or, does He view my heart intent behind the expression, regardless of word choice, as the real "curse"?
I don't know, just something to think about, I guess. lol :)
CraigSnedeker - 1/14/12 @ 3:35 PM
I think words slip out, no matter how much you try to hold them back, and I know God understands it. I will say crap and damn sometimes in my head when I do something utterly stupid, but I try not to speak it aloud unless I'm alone or around people that also do it, so no one is offended (not that they would be, but my dad for example hates cursing no matter how it's used).
But I see your point
Jordan Dean - 1/14/12 @ 9:54 PM
The words are usually used to express anger, pain, shock or a combination of the three (correct me if I'm wrong). If someone steps on your toe, you could curse, bite your lip, take a deep breath, scream "ouch", or machete the person who did it and all these actions would be simply expressing your emotions of that very moment (machete being extreme). It wouldn't be a sin to bite your lip, take a deep breath or scream "ouch" yet all those things are substitutions for the curse word. Let's focus on the word "ouch" and the F-word. Both could be used to express the same thing so does that mean "ouch" is a curse? No.
In the end, the words are the curse because the Holy Spirit inside tells us. I'm not exactly positive why they are but I know for a fact that if I say the F-word, I am sinning yet if I said "ouch" I feel no conviction.
Hope this helped =]
I also have a problem with cursing.
Needy Servant - 1/14/12 @ 11:18 PM
Just to add to what jordan dean said-
If you feel convicted about saying darn or crap, then yes that is sin to ignore it.
"curse" words are only that because they originated from languages that are not part of the romance languages. The f word has been said to be a term of endearment in some european language that morphed into a rejected curse word because of how harsh it sounds ie love = a soft subtle flowing elloquent sound
And Fu... Sounds harsh, sharp, abrasive
But the etymology of the f word usually leads to germanic languages, the dutch word "fokken" for example, the meaning is the same as our traditional f word, yet I feel no reservations of posting it because it is not a curse word to us, but means the exact same thing - to thrust, copulate... ( aside fron the meaning and connotations we have put into the f word)
***Conclusion - there is no such thing as an inherently bad word, words only contain the meaning we give them. This means that when the concensus is that a word holds a negative meaning or is "bad" then it is. But with this individually between us and God it may be different, whereas we all have different convictions about different things.
Gabriella - 1/15/12 @ 4:55 AM
@needy servant, really 'funny' that you use the example of the Dutch word, because i live in Holland:)
but to say it, 'fokken' doesn't mean your f word, that is the verb. most of the times people here say 'fock' or also your f word. but you're right about it.
but i would appreciate also if you won't use the word fokken because i know what it means;) (that was a joke!)
CraigSnedeker - 1/15/12 @ 6:57 AM
Brad Stine made a good video on cursing, and he basically said the word isn't bad, it's what do with it. like the middle finger.. nothing wrong with it, but its the meaning behind the middle finger that makes it bad
Spirit in the Sky - 1/15/12 @ 12:39 PM
Is calling someone a 'fool' a curse word? How about a brood of vipers, dogs, or swine?
I think the not only the word (in cultural context) but also the intent AND the situation plays a factor.
CraigSnedeker - 1/15/12 @ 4:08 PM
I agree
Alpha - 1/15/12 @ 5:02 PM
I've always been one of the strongest adherents to the idea that swear words arent wrong to use; after all, words are just words... but last friday, i was talking with a coworker and during the conversation he made the comment "You dont curse, do ya?" and i was rather surprised to see that people notice things like that.
Needy Servant - 1/15/12 @ 10:24 PM
@ Alpha - Col 3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
Like in previous posts, if the word is considered to be a "bad" word, then for the sake of the brethren and those non-believers around consider it bad yourself. Because Paul instructs us so.
Stephanie - 1/16/12 @ 1:31 PM
"Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers." ~ Ephesians 4:29
What is it that makes a word corrupt, though? As someone said previously, the Bible uses the word "ass" multiple times to describe animals and the like.
Is a word "bad" simply because it is unaccepted in society?
What does God define as "corrupt/unwholesome"? Is it the word itself? or is it the venom the speaker infuses into what they are saying?
Example: I can look at someone and say "Well are't you just the most precious thing?" ~~ Now, these words are nice words, but if I say them sarcastically and my whole attitude portrays disgust toward the person I say them to, is that not corrupt and unwholesome talk? I say it is. And I also think that sometimes people cherry-pick some verses in order to condemn a list of 5-10 choice words or phrases which I think does a disservice to what the Bible is actually trying to address, which is the heart attitude that leads to the explosive expression of anger/frustration in the first place.
By the way, I started thinking about this questions because I always hear a lot of people (especially Christians) saying "cursing is wrong" and I agree with that statement, but I think that the statement often refers to those few choice words and not what the Bible actually addresses.
LOL, I feel like I'm rambling. My thoughts are scattered and circling right now :P
CraigSnedeker - 1/16/12 @ 3:52 PM
"Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth" This might not be directed at swearing, but at false-gosple or lying, as these could both be considered corrupt words. just throwing that out there
Nicole - 2/12/12 @ 1:38 AM
I remember when I was a kid seeing a simpsons episode where flanders says "gosh" and homer says "God knows what you're talking about". God uses the funniest things to get you thinking! Honestly, just skip those words all together.
Stephanie - 2/14/12 @ 7:37 PM
Ha! That's awesome! You're right, its really cool and, sometimes ironic, the ways that God teaches us things. His ways are not our ways. :)
Spirit in the Sky - 2/15/12 @ 3:47 PM
I think it should also be pointed out that Ned Flanders ended up in a mental institution in another episode after years of bottling up his anger and disappointments. Just saying...
Stephanie - 2/15/12 @ 6:22 PM
The Bible says "be angry, but do not sin." I'm not saying we should hold it in either, I guess the real question (or at least another valid question) is: is a curse a sin? People tend to view "cursing" as sinful, but then turn right around and use replacement words to express the same thing. So, like is it the "curse word" itself, or is it something else that is sinful? or is it just expression of mood?
Alyssa Faith Mark. Rep - 2/17/12 @ 3:00 PM
I don't curse!
Nicole - 2/21/12 @ 10:39 AM
The bible says to not sin in your anger, and to do everything for the glory of the Lord. Now tell me how swearing brings glory to God.
As for the "substitute swear words", I was watching the simpsons back when I was a kid and flanders said "Gosh" and homer said "God know's what you really mean!". yeah, silly but totally got me thinking. It's true.
God also judges the intentions of your heart. Keep that in mind.
I think it all comes down to conviction.