But Father, this is normal every day ‘speak’,’everyone uses it’ — why can’t I?
I hear this all the time from family and friends. Modern man has forgotten the Word of God. They have decided they can pick and choose what part of His Holy Scripture they will follow and which Words they do not have to. My golly, are we Christians, are we Orthodox Christians? To me, that means if we claim we are, then we follow His Words not just what we want to follow. This means how we talk, what words we use in our every day living. “What comes out of your mouth, defiles you…”
But Father, everyone in the military talks like this — so true. Yes I remember the days, all 25 years of them. And yes I used such language for a number of those early years. Then I read the Holy Bible, God’s Words. And He says not to use such language. So I made the decision to stop such verbage in my every day life. No it wasn’t easy, especially in that environment. BUT I did stop — it was my decision, my choice of how I spoke and responded. Yes I was called several things to include a Bible Thumper!
Lord forgive me, a Sinner.
Oh and recently I heard as an excuse of such language, such as, “These words were not in use during Biblical times, so they do not count as profanity in today’s world.” or words to that affect. This modern world we live in, is polluted. We are not to be of this world, even though for the time being, God has us still here. Don’t play with your words and thoughts, He has spoken!
So you too can follow the God who created you and stop adding cuss words, profanity, as every other word in your sentences and what you write. Well, as least, if you actually do wish to live as an Orthodox Christian, as you profess.
Below is a list of verses in Holy Scripture that speak to us about not using such language. (Old and New Testament)
Bible verses related to Using Profanity from the King James Version (KJV)
Matthew 15:10-11 – And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:
Colossians 3:8 – But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
Ephesians 4:29 – Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
James 3:10 – Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
Ephesians 5:4 – Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
James 3:6-8 – And the tongue [is] a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
Proverbs 21:23 – Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
2 Timothy 2:16 – But shun profane [and] vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
Psalms 19:14 – Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
James 1:26 – If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion [is] vain.
Psalms 127:3 – Lo, children [are] an heritage of the LORD: [and] the fruit of the womb [is his] reward.
Luke 6:45 – A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
Proverbs 4:24 – Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.
Proverbs 6:12 – A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.
Romans 12:2 – And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Psalms 34:13-14 – Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
Colossians 4:6 – Let your speech [be] alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
James 5:12 – But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and [your] nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.
Matthew 5:22 – But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
Matthew 12:34-37 – O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
Exodus 20:7 – Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
Matthew 5:33-37 – Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old-time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
Proverbs 8:13 – The fear of the LORD [is] to hate evil: pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
Romans 3:14 – Whose mouth [is] full of cursing and bitterness:
Leviticus 19:12 – And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I [am] the LORD.
Cussing cannot be spiritually justified. Who does not know the second commandment God gave to Moses: “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain” (Exodus 20:7)? This is affirmed by St. Mark who quoted Jesus responding to the question about what commandment is the greatest: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength” (Mark 12: 28-31). Finally St Paul exhorted us: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:28-30).
Fr. George Morelli, Smart Parenting IV: Cuss Control
Oh and also, as you think and pray about changing your way of speaking, and following God more closely, remember it is not just ‘speaking’ profanity — this also goes along with what you post online, in private emails or on social media sites like Face Book. ‘But Father, I didn’t write it, I just shared the picture or post’ — this means you said it and condone it and agree with it. You made the choice to continue the use of foul language in your life and the lives of those whose life you speak into.
As you claim to be an Orthodox Christian, a follower of Jesus the Christ, what you say, think, and do (and forward or re-post) talks to who you are and what example you set for others who are watching! And yes, they are watching. Your life MUST be one that belongs to Him, who Created you, Jesus Christ, in everything you say, do, and think!
Think and pray before you ‘speak’ and ‘write’.
In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Hear me this day as I call upon You with my whole heart.
Deliver me from every defilement of flesh and spirit. Enable me by the gift of Your Most Holy Spirit to raise my voice before You in Worship, praise and thanksgiving.
I thank You for your long suffering when dealing with my human weaknesses.
I thank You for Your Mercy which is extended to me every hour of every day.
I thank You for the Gift of Your Saving Grace, which enables me to stand uncondemned before God the Father, Almighty.
I pray that You will draw me close in Spirit, that I may accomplish the work that was laid out for me.
I pray that you will nourish my heart with Your Holy Teachings, allowing me to hold these Teachings true and secure in a pure and humble heart.
I ask for Your Holy Protection that I may live my life in peace and safety.
I ask for the Gift of Your Holy Love, that I may share it with my brothers and sisters in Christ.
I ask that when it is my time to fall asleep in the Lord that I be granted a peaceful hour to depart this life. May I enter Your Kingdom as the dying thief, confessing You, O Lord, remember me in Your Kingdom.
These things I ask in the Holy Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.AMEN.
Comments will be approved before showing up.
