Growing up I never understood the difference between the word “butt” or “bottom”. What I did learn was that saying the word “butt” would get me a smack on the mouth. Whereas sayin the word “bottom” would often be met with laughter or concern based on what I was talking about. Over time I realized that different words would prompt different responses. Based on the people I was around or the context in which they were used.

If you do even an ounce of research into the history of different words. You’ll realize that many of the words we use today that are deemed “bad words” or “swear words.” Don’t actually carry the same meaning in other parts of the globe. In fact some words deemed “bad” in the U.S. are often used as terms of endearment in other places. For example, the word “shit” can be used in both a positive and negative way. The only difference being the context in which the word is used.

Which is why…

I am always a bit scoobied when I get approached by a “believer.” Especially when it comes to some of the words I use when I talk. When approached by a believer I’m often inundated with numerous scriptures. All of which speak on how you speak. But NONE of which offer a list of words that should or should not be used.

Except the word “raca”. On the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus specifically told people not to use that word when referring to other people (Matthew 5:22). Now that word was a type of racial slur at the time and scholars today are actually divided over whether or not it actually qualifies as swear word. Also in Exodus 20:7, specifically talks about not taking the Lords name in vain. But outside of that, the words we use in an effort to remain “biblical” for a believer are not confined to or determined by whether or not we use or don’t use what our current society has deemed to be “bad words” or “swear words”.

A believer can still be guilty of breaking Ephesians 4:29 without having uttered a single cuss word

And that’s the beauty of scripture. God KNEW that language changes. He knew that the meaning of words change over time. In fact, you would be hard pressed to find the Latin, Greek, and Hebrew definitions of many of the swear words we use today. The oldest swear word on record is the word “fart” and ya don’t see too many of the swear word police gettin too upset when someone says that.

So how could the bible, which was written over 2,000 years ago, be talking about modern day cuss words? Unless the context of when, why and how words, any words, are the actual bread and butter of the scriptures? See what I mean? Society has deemed certain words to regarded as “offensive” or “non-offensive.”

The world has a list

One even non-believers will hold you to and be quick to condemn you with. It’s such an extensive list, that even some believers who are ignorant of scripture, will jump side by side with the unbeliever to condemn someone over.

God doesn’t do that. The words that you use to describe how you’re feeling or that you use in an effort to express yourself don’t hold as much value by themselves. With God it’s the CONTEXT IN WHICH YOU USE THEM. See, it’s your spirit, what is within you, that is the juice. Ignorant people will point to the use of a swear word as evidence of that. But that’s a superficial judgement. There are many people in positions of authority that speak pure evil on the daily and never utter a swear word.

You would think that the Church would teach that

But they don’t. Instead they go the easy route. They simply accept the proverbial “bad word list” that society has accepted and then they brow beat other believers into compliance with it, using scripture.  As a believer they refrain from using a swear word, not in an effort to please God, but as to not offend the fellow believer sittin next to then on the church pew on Sunday. See, once you’re a Christian, they got a list of what you do and don’t do and not using swear words is on that list. So in order to look the part a person has to act the part….and that is one of the many fundamental reasons why the Church today is totally broken. They focus on the outward appearance of a person and totally ignore what’s inside. 

Don’t get me wrong, there are some offensive words that people use. But the offense of those words vary from person to person, country to country, culture to culture. There is NO LIST OF BAD WORDS in the Bible. None. I’m sure there may be a doctrine that provides a list of the bad words. I’m sure you could find a group of people that would all agree about a certain list of words that are deemed bad to say. But biblically, according to the bible, NONE OF THE SCRIPTURES that discuss how we talk to each other, ARE RESIGNED TO SINGLE WORD USE. None of them.

CONTEXT MATTERS

 

The use of a swear word does not make you any less of a believer. Than the non use of one makes you a believer. Afterall, even non-believers are against the use of swear words in some environments. 

You have to dig deeper. You need to stop looking at the outside appearance of people to find commonality. Start looking to the heart, to the spirit of a person.

You call yourself a Christian?

What are you doin? How is it that you are being so easily deceived by the way things appear on the outside?

Your ignorance of language, speech, scripture, and lack of discernment is offensive. You are a disgrace to the faith you profess.

Copyright©2023 Jacob C. Larson All Rights Reserved

***One of the main reasons I hesitated in even starting this blog was in regards to how I talk. I tend ta write like I’m having a conversation. That doesn’t exactly write well. But I was told, “Don’t worry about how you write, just write.” So that’s exactly what I’ve done. I write how I write it, say it how I’d say it. Some people love it and some people hate it.

I’ve actually had some say that they never considered certain things until they read my blog. They say I said it differently. I’ve had others actually say they wouldn’t share my blogs because of the “words” I’ve used. Apparently their fellow “church people” uncontrollably wet themselves if they read something with a swear word in it. 

So concerned with how they are perceived by other people they would stand in the way of a message that someone may need to hear. 

****Obviously, I am in no way attempting to encourage people to start using what society has determined to be “swear words” or “cuss words” in their speech. I’m simply attempting to shed some light on the blatant hypocrisy of the church. In the most articulate way I can. While humbly requesting that they DO BETTER. 

*****I have been told that if I cleaned up the way I talk that I would probably sell more books and get more blog clicks and that is probably true. But I didn’t start this to sell a buncha books. Don’t get me wrong, I’d like ta sell a buncha books. However, if that was my only goal then I’d probably spend more time talking about things that were more pleasant. So, if this blog in some way gives you a lightbulb moment and clarifies the difference in what is scriptural and what is doctrine then I’m glad. If not…then I wish you the best! 🙂