I can’t believe that this post is still getting hits and comments. Paul, you did a great job bringing up the topic. So much so, that you’ve inspired me to blog again. I wrote a long response. maybe thoughts can be used as a foil for yours. I hope things are going well for you. take care!

http://dysfunctionalpanopticon.blogspot.com/2011/10/seminar-on-cursing.html

I didn’t grow up hearing a lot of course language at home. Of course I heard it at school. I was never taught that it would make me more authentic. Or that the lack of it makes one inauthentic, legalistic, Pharisaiic, or in other ways posessing a disengenuous faith. My relationship with God is not an attempt to scam anyone else. I still battle the temptation (and sometimes fall) to curse in anger. But I’m not thinking about being authentic at the time. I’m thinking about how wronged I feel and how the “wronger” owes me.

I did picked up cursing in college. It didn’t pepper every conversation, but I wondered what makes it wrong. I didn’t think it of it as being authentic. Sometimes I used it as way around figuring out and expressing with more clarity what got to me, then dealing with it.

Also, a few years ago, I realized that others’ experiences with cursing as a release of anger was not mine. It actually feed it.

So, a few years ago, I started to pray and seek God as to why I curse/swear/profane, and to get His view. Bitterness was a root. For me, that was what I had to work on — my attitude. Anger’s not wrong. And God has every right to be angry at me. In all my quiet prayer and communion with Him though, He’s never spoken to me with course intents, degradation of body parts or functions, bitter hate of me for my sin, and so on. That is what I am hope shows in my reactions to others when they curse.

And so many apologize for offending me. I suppose because they hear me do it so little (if ever). I appreciate that.

Thanks for writing this blog. Discussion is good. Writing this reply has made me think of how to respond in a “nice” way to those who apologize.

A note about authenticity’s limits: if I was fully authentic, I’d act out (or at least share) every sexual thought, eat anything I want when I want, and drink too much. I’d disregard the discipline of getting up for work and staying through the day, I’d never hold the door open for someone whose arms were full, and I’d speed down rural roads with abandon. Among other things. That wouldn’t be good. So I’m limiting my authenticity to this description.

As a Marine and a Christian I stand up for what is right. I will hold Marines to Marine Corps Orders and the standard we have set. Marines attempt to do that without the Holy Spirit, the unsaved ones at least. We also try to stand apart from the rest of society. Christians need to do the same. It is not about your witness…that is a load of garbage. Try using words to witness…use the Bible to learn how to do that instead of using it to justify your actions. God’s Law is how we learn what sin is and how the world can see how exceedingly sinful sin is. I don’t need sinners to feel comfortable with me. I don’t need friends in the world. They need a messenger. Try telling them they are headed for hell if you really love them. Hell is a noun. Use it that way. Filler words make you sound stupid. There is enough of that going around.

If you read this I hope you take a good look at yourself and it seems like you think cursing is wrong but impractical. Try it. It works for a Marine.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

I refer you to the following article: http://bible.org/article/toward-evangelical-theology-cussing

Thoughts?

also couple thoughts regarding christians cursing:
col 3:2-3 “set your minds on things above, not on earthy things. for you died and your life is now hidden with christ in god.”
and romans 8:29 about being conformed to the image of christ.
and christ was wild… and he was HOLY. when we consider cursing as a christian, let’s first be concerned about daily dying to ourselves and being conformed to the image of christ. we are image bearers of GOD. let us be more concerned about that role than trying to be “authentic”. authenticity is great, just as long as it’s not our focus.

also,
eph. 4:29 “let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” we are often the vessels by which god builds up the weary or shows his heart of mercy to discouraged soul. not to say grace cannot be extended if curse words are involved — i believe they can. but let’s be more concerned about expressing the grace that’s on the heart of god than our rights to curse.

k. that’s it.

thanks for writing this, paul. i think it WAS an extension of grace to many believers.

You hit the nail on the head with describing the reality of how selfish our motivations are. Within this call to authenticity and freedom in Christ,(not just in speech) the reality of our sin, our internal struggle is exposed. Which We Have No Need to be
Ashamed because of the hope we have through the love of God through the Holy Spirit.

I really enjoyed reading this man.

i’m not sure that “authenticity” is a strong enough argument to allow for Xtn cursing. (I’m just saying that more discussion and ‘fleshing out’ is necessary here…plz, no-one call me a hypocrite as I tend to curse a lot!!).

perhaps we could consider this. cursing, with its use of frickatives (sp?), and its tendency to exascerbate often volitile situations, should be put into the category of violence. Cursing has the tendency to lead to violence…or better yet..cursing has a peculiar tendency to breakdown shalom.

the psychology seems to be the same as violence. when you curse, you feel better just like when you react violently against injustice, you tend to feel better (at least you think you will feel better).

Frak!! this is getting long..