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Is It A Sin To Swear?
Christian thoughts on every day parenting.
by Donna Shepherd
All materials copyrighted
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Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life.
-- Psalm 119:104 nlt
I went to the nearby shopping mall with my family. While my husband and son looked around a store, I opted to sit on a bench to wait.
Beside me, a girl about fifteen talked on her cell phone. It seemed like she swore every other word. Gratuitously. Without reason. Just
normal conversation. Right?
Unfortunately, yes. As group after group of people, both young and old, meandered by, I heard many of the same words. More often than
ever, swearing and crude language assaults our ears. It’s rare to view a half hour sitcom without hearing at least a half dozen swear
words.
So, is it a sin to swear? Do you think, “Oh, well, it’s accepted in today’s culture”?
Granted, some words have become less offensive, but is that a good thing? Are our ears and hearts calloused?
I am particularly offended when I hear God’s name used in vain. I’m also concerned for that person. God clearly said in Exodus 20:7,
"You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.”
God’s name should always be honored. Often, people use His name in anger or frustration, or even in a lighthearted way. Do your children
use the phrase, “O, my God!”? Do you? Perhaps you should reflect on God’s authority and character, and then reconsider using His Name
with such abandon.
So, breaking one of the “Top Ten” would indeed be sin, wouldn’t it? How about the others words so often used? Are there levels of
profanity?
In my opinion, ugly and coarse language shows a lack of education, respect for others and self. My mother used to say, “If you wouldn’t
hold it in your hand, why would you have it come out of your mouth?” Good question.
James said, “From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from
the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt
pond yield fresh water” (James 3:10-12 niv).
Christians should not be characterized by evil speech. How can blessings and cursing come from the same heart? Do we praise God one
minute and curse each other the next? As James said, this ought not to be so!
Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians about our new nature. When we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, our hearts are transformed.
Wouldn’t our actions and speech show evidence of the new nature God has created within us?
How we express ourselves gives others a glimpse into our hearts. Luke 6:45 says what we store in our hearts comes out of our mouth.
“The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for
out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45 esv).
Have you decided enough is enough? Do you want to begin communicating differently?
- Clean Up!
Let your family know you’ve decided transform your vocabulary. Share the scriptures I’ve used in this article with your children to
help them see why you see the need for change.
- Clear Out!
Do you watch television shows or movies that have degrading, ugly language and even profane God’s Name? What about the books you
read? You might want to purge your library and make better choices for your family entertainment.
- Fine the Family (and yourself!)
Many families have had success with fining each other when a word on the ‘forbidden list’ slips out. Use the money collected to
bless your pastor or a family at church.
- Eliminate the Euphemisms.
As Christians, our goal is to have pure hearts. If you choose a word to use in place of a swear word, it’s likely that the word is
still in your heart even if it doesn’t come out of your mouth. Make it your goal to eliminate even the euphemisms.
The apostle Paul advised young Timothy, “Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in
what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity” (2 Timothy 4:12 nlt). Let’s advise our children and teens
to be an example, and to be pure in faith, love, spirit, AND in conversation.
If Jesus came to the mall and sat down on the bench with you, would you change the way you talk?
BUSY Parents Tip
The apostle Paul instructed the church at Ephesus, “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.” Your children are listening. Today, make a point to edify
and give grace to all who hear you, that you’ll be an example of God’s love and character. May we never disgrace God’s Name!
About The Author:
Donna J. Shepherd is the author of Topsy Turvy Land
and a contributing author to Anytime Prayers for Everyday Moms.
From bird watching to the Beatitudes, her writing touches the heart with wisdom and humor while feeding the mind with
daily portions of God's Word. Read more of her writing at Donna J. Shepherd.
Information provided in this column is for entertainment purposes only.
The information in this column is not meant to be taken as legal, medical, or professional advice.
Read legal disclaimer.
* This column is available for your publication, for a F-E-E.
This column may NOT be reprinted without monetary compensation and written permission from the author.
For reprint rights or comments/questions about this article, please contact the author.
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