Imprecation: an offensive word or phrase that people say when they are angry, frustrated or surprised.
Synonyms: curse, swearword, cussword, dirty word, expletive, four-letter word, obscenity, profanity, swear, vulgarism.
You would never expect to hear the President or a politically famous person to cuss on TV or in public, if they do, we would be extremely surprised, did you ever wonder why? What socially accepted moral code would they violate if they did? However, if they use profanity in a private conversation it is another matter. Many current politicians are known as persons who cuss quite regularly and extensively in private conversations.
However, we would not be surprised if we heard a convict in prison, a gang member or persons of a certain ethnic group cuss in public. Many people consider cussing as normal way of expression and some psychologists consider cussing healthy.
As stated in the “Super Lawyers” website “Texas’ disorderly conduct statute includes using “abusive, indecent, profane, or vulgar language in a public place.” If convicted, a Texas disorderly conduct misdemeanor may be punishable by a fine of up to $500.”
But what about Christians? You might know people who consider themselves Christians who would never cuss in church but outside of the church building cussing is not problem and a regular way of expressing themselves. What would you do or say to a person who cussed in church? I trust that none of you have a habit of cussing or are known as a person who uses profanity or foul language.
We all know of the discipline applied decades ago by some parents to their children who used profanity or cuss words, their mouths were washed out with soap. But what remedy does the Bible have to offer those Christians who still need this part of their body redeemed? Is cussing just a tongue issue or really a heart issue?
When we research the Bible, many persons had this problem and it was talked about in many books and letters of the Old and New Testaments.
In chapter six of the book of Isaiah, the prophet Isaiah found himself in heaven, in the presence of God. The first thing he focused on was the magnificent and awesome things he saw, verses 1-4. Then his focus was on himself, he realized that there was something about himself that was not right when he said in verse 5, “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” What did Isaiah realize about himself that that made him cry out, “Woe to me!”? He realized that he was “a man of unclean lips”. What determined if he was presentable and or acceptable to be in the presence of God was not his appearance but his “unclean lips”.
What did God think about Isaiah’s “unclean lips” and what did He have to do? Isaiah 6:6-7, Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” It was necessary for the cause and result of Isaiah’s “unclean lips” to be taken care of or remedied. It required Isaiah’s guilt to be removed and sins to be forgiven.
We do not know what unclean words or profanity that regularly came out of Isaiah’s mouth, but God certainly did. So much so that God had to do something about it.
What about us? Maybe we are careful not to expose ourselves and say those choice words when someone is in listening distance, but God is most definitely aware of what came out of our mouths and or what we thought.
I really like these secular thoughts about this issue.
“Profanity is the weapon of the witless.” “When a man uses profanity to support an argument, it indicates that either the man or the argument is weak – probably both.”
In Matthew 12:33-37 where Jesus said that we will be accountable to God for every idle word. Not just evil words, but idle words, careless words, words that serve no good positive purpose. “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36 But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” NIV
In Luke 6:45 Jesus tells us what is in the heart of a person or the condition of their heart is expressed or exposed by what they say. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.
James writing to Christians knew that profanity was an issue of some in the church. James 3:9-11, With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.
Apparently, there were some from the church family of the cities of Ephesus and Colosse who needed to do something about what came out of their mouths. Ephesians 4:29a, Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths… Colossians 3:8, But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
Why is it some have no problem finding the words to curse at someone when they are upset with them, but they are challenged and find it difficult to say words of encouragement to someone when we are not mad at them?
I really like Paul’s advice to remedy profanity that he gives to the Ephesian congregation which is given in the second half of Ephesians 4:29b, If profanity is a tendency with you try what Paul suggests. “…but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” But remember God is always listening.
Pastor John
