A Theology of Cussing

I was talking to one of the guys I disciple this week and he asked me this fairly straightforward question: "Kyle, do you think it's wrong to swear?" It was a good question, and one, in the past, I would have all too hastily answered in the affirmative. What I want to do here, albeit far too briefly, is develop a theology of cussing.

As with all issues of biblical ethics, we are best served by looking at the governing principles rather than for specific examples (i.e. how many cuss words are in the Bible vs. what does the Bible say about the use of language). Many of our ethical norms are informed more by our Christian subculture than by justifiable biblical exegesis.

Ok, let's dive in. Rather than starting with the classic Eph. 4 text, let's instead begin in the gospels with what Jesus says about language: "Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks" (Mt. 12:34). This particular proverb seems simple enough. It makes the point that what we say (our behavior) is a reflection of our hearts (our affections). Nothing terribly groundbreaking right? But let's push the proverb further by looking at another of Jesus sayings: "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Mt. 6:21). Ok, now a connection seems to develop. It goes something like this: What we treasure (value, desire) determines where are hearts (affections) are at and therefore what we say (behavior). Our desires determine our affections which are reflected in our behaviors.

Let's apply this to language. What we say (behavior) reflects our hearts (affections) and therefore what we treasure (desire). So the question with any particular language or words should not be, were those wrong or right words, but rather, what was the heart behind those words--what was their purpose? I believe that someone can speak harsh language which some might categorize as offensive in order to make a point or draw necessary attention to an argument. I believe that someone can speak harshly of there own sin using language that reflects God's abhorrence of sin. The essential question is, are you using your language to the glory of God? Is your heart's inclination to glorify God with what you say? That seems to be what Jesus cares most about.

But wait! Wait! you say. Ephesians 4:29 says "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." Right exactly. No problems here. My problem comes when people take this verse and paraphrase it like this: it is sinful for Christians to cuss. That's not what the verse says. That's a (weak) attempt to apply the verse in a broad, generalized and reductionist manner. Instead, God gives a principle (our language should give grace) and flexibility (as fits the occasion). The flexibility here is not to change or twist the principle, but simply to apply it as seems fit in various circumstances. Thus, yelling, "those ****** refs"(I'm guilty) at a sporting event will probably not give grace to those around you. However, speaking in harsh language about Satan's attempts to deceive or our sinful flesh might actually give grace to the hearer. Grace doesn't always come in a nice package with a bow on top. Sometimes it comes as a punch to the gut. Or in a harsh word.

We who are followers of Christ have been given new hearts (Ez. 36:27) and therefore new desires and affections. Those new desires ought to be reflected in our words. Often mine are not. But thankfully, by God's grace, he is using my words for his glory as surely as he is changing me into his image. It might be slow and hard to see at times, but I swear, it's happening!

I hope you see here that I'm not defending cussing in particular--and I am certainly not defending its use in every (indeed most) situations. But I do want to show how, rather than making new laws where the Bible does not, we can apply biblical principles to our lives so that we can pursue loving God and others in freedom from the bondage of law. We ought not use our liberty for its own sake--that would be sinful, foolish and selfish. Rather, we ought to act as Paul exhorts us in Galatians, "For you were called to freedom brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another" (Gal. 5:13).