Is cussing a sin?

[SacredHeartFan]

I ahve never heard any church teaching and I know that there is nothing in the bible.

 

[Christy_Beth]

I think it is. Of course, that’s mostly personal opinion. And being taught that it is. I, at one time, used a lot of foul language. It is like an insult if you use it in addressing anyone. Have you ever been called, or heard the phrase, a “son of a b****”? Better language is more respectful. Oh, and there’s the one where God’s name is used. And not in a nice way either.

 

[SacredHeartFan]

I know this sounds kind of weird but like we use it not to be mean.

 

[water]

Ephesians 4:29:
“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.”

1 Peter 3:10:
“For, whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.”

James 3:9-12:
“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.”

 

[royal_archer]

I have had the same question about the sinfullness. Granted swearing is rude and innappropriate and blasphemy is a clear sin. But what about using four letter words in context where they are socially accepted?

Ephesians 4:29:
“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.”

I understand this is being possitive in one speach. I have seen people be uplifting and possitive while still resorting to four letter words. as for unwholesome I see this related to words associated with adult activities but not necesarilly to words such as those describing the solid excrement.

1 Peter 3:10:
“For, whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.”

The question is then what is keeping the tongue from evil? is swearing evil? If not, then this first part would not apply. I assumed this reference was to plotting to do mis deads or gossip or the such. I view the second part as reffering to lying which is a sepparate issue with speach and a clear sin.

James 3:9-12:
“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.”

A curse is an attempt to invoke divine intervention based on our will. This would be both folly and sin. Like wise if the use of four letter words is a sin then the use of them would taint any other words used by the speaker. However if four letter words are not a sin but just a more raw unpretentious uncouth manner of speach, then reference would seem to not aply.

 

[Kevin42]

I think a good rule in this case is to not say anything you wouldn’t say in front of our Lord. Even better than that, consider that you receive His Most Holy Body and Blood on your tongue in the Eucharist. Do not let your tongue say anything that would tarnish it as the throne of Jesus.

 

[Fox]

Where would cussing fall under the ten commandments? I see blaspheming or using the Lord’s name in vain, but for the others, its pretty grey. Personally, a person that uses profanity really needs to come up with a better way of expressing themselves.

 

[DixitDominus]

Cussing is not a sin (unless of course it is using God’s name irreverently or is cursing some person) per se, but obviously it could be sinful in certain circumstances. For example, if a child is commanded by his parents or teachers not to cuss, then cussing would be sinful for him. Another example would be if one committed contumely be means of cussing. A further example would be if one committed blasphemy through cussing. Cussing would also be sinful if it would cause scandal.

 

[Ruthie]

I know this sounds kind of weird but like we use it not to be mean.

So will you consider me an unreasonable old b**** when I react with shock to hearing such words coming out of your mouth? Or will you respect me enough to not use that language in front of me?

If you do respect me enough to not use it in front of me, then why use it at all? No matter how you use it, or what your intent is, it is still meant to be offensive and insulting.

Another reason I don’t like cussing is because it is so uncreative. Cuss around me and I tend to write you off as an ignorant and rude person.

There are better ways to insult people. I’ll quote one from one of my favorite authors, Paul Scott: “Dessicated dropping from a dead vulture’s crotch!” And a good expletive I picked up from Elizabeth Moon’s books is “Snarks in a bucket!” (Or was it Anne MaCaffery?) And of course, there’s “bad words!” Which I thought up before I read it in one of their collaborations.

My Mom came up with a combination of two old exclamations: “Perish forbid!” I use that one a lot, too.

I used to cuss a lot, and use the Lord’s name in vain. I’ve succeeded in cleaning it up, without giving up being a passionate person. You can do it, too.

God bless you,

Ruthie

ETA: I tend to think it is a sin because it disregards the dignity of humans, which comes under the fifth Commandment.

 

[M249]

cussing is a sin, find a better way to express yourself.

I used to have really bad character before I became Christian and even cussed out my parents numerous times using the f-word… I’m around military all the time so I’m still around cussing all the time but I have completely stopped (slips sometimes)… when I hear cussing I think the person is weak… its not cool at all

 

[stringbeanduck]

I believe when used towards some1 and God cursing is definitely a sin. But when used at or about something not significant unlike that of a human life, it’s just an unpleasant way to express anger without punching a whole in the wall. I’ll admit that when working on a project, chore, school work or whatever for a long time and I get frustrated that phrases like: why can’t I get the da… thing to work, "what the he… is “wrong with that thing.” “Ahhh sh… not again” will be said. After a few of those and whatever I’m doing is still not working out I know it’s time to go to Plan B. Prayer and just go back to it later on. However it’s never a good behavior when you curse around somebody.

 

[Il_Cattivo]

Consider these passages from Scripture:

“He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.” Proverbs 21:23

“The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools.” Ecclesiastes 9:17

“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 4:29

“A gentle answer turns away wrath.” Proverbs 15:1

“If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with all strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:11

“The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.” Proverbs 15:4

“Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.” Ephesians 4:15

“Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Proverbs 16:24

“A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” Proverbs 25:11

 

[JuanCarlos]

I have heard it is not a sin; but if it is said by someone who is known for being a religious Catholic it may cause scandal. Especially if said in front of children.

It would probably also be a sin if you were a minor and your parents forbade you from using bad language

 

[lentang2]

Cussing is not a sin (unless of course it is using God’s name irreverently or is cursing some person) per se, but obviously it could be sinful in certain circumstances. For example, if a child is commanded by his parents or teachers not to cuss, then cussing would be sinful for him. Another example would be if one committed contumely be means of cussing. A further example would be if one committed blasphemy through cussing. Cussing would also be sinful if it would cause scandal.

You are correct.

 

[deweycoon]

I was alone working on my car and dropped something and said “s$$t”. Would that be considered a sin?

 

[stringbeanduck]

I was alone working on my car and dropped something and said “s$$t”. Would that be considered a sin?

No. There’s no difference in saying darnit or da*nit(with a “m” where the star is at) It is society that establishes some sort “gravity” to the latter. And society is surely no moral authority. Cursing at someone or using the name of the Lord in vain is a sin. Better you use that word you listed than the Lords name in vain. Just understand that cussing isn’t very prudent and can most certainly be a bad habit of language and can set somebody up for a bitter lifestyle. As pointed out above, it is best to keep the words that come out of our mouth clean.

 

[Shin]

You will find the use of profane language (cussing) listed as a sin in plenty of examinations of consciences.

It is generally considered a venial sin, except when directed towards the sacred or with sufficient premeditation and bad will.

A Christian has nothing to do with such language.

If you drop something on your foot bless it instead of curse it, and so do not give in to the devils’ temptations. It was made by the Lord, and no doubt, you quite deserved to have it fall upon your foot and worse for your sins.

 

[Sophia86]

I don’t think that all types of cussing can be counted as a sin.

Nevertheless those who want to get their opinions across, will be better heard - and taken more seriously - if they express themselves in a politer way. Cussing is certainly not clever, and does not earn others respect.

I think many of us have chosen the wrong words to express a sudden emotion at some stage of our lives, but if we are truely sorry for them, shall be forgiven, and should not beat ourselves up over it.

“Let us forgive each other - only then will we live in peace”. Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy.

 

[plan19]

I understand this is being possitive in one speach. I have seen people be uplifting and possitive while still resorting to four letter words. as for unwholesome I see this related to words associated with adult activities but not necesarilly to words such as those describing the solid excrement.

Perhaps the NAB version straight from the USCCB’s site will clear things up:

No foul language should come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for needed edification, that it may impart grace to those who hear.

usccb.org/nab/bible/ephesians/ephesians4.htm

 

[Bishop93]

I’ve heard some pretty colorful language come out of Catholics,Jews,and Protestants mouth so I’d say everyone speaks for themselves

I’ve asked many Rabbi’s and Pastors the same question and I got a different answer every time.

But the one thing we ALL can agree on…The GD word is off-limits for any God-fearing person.