MTH:
Is this really true? I very rarely, if ever, swear. However, I do use some of the words listed below such as “Gee”, “Gosh”, “Heck”, etc. that I never thought were swear words or even close. The below was taken from this website,
trosch.org/phi/swearing.htm. Next time I go to confession, do I really need to confess this? According to this site, saying these words is taking the name of the Lord in vain, which we all know is is against the 2nd Commandment.
*Taking the name of the Lord “in vain” means using it lightly or thoughtlessly… or, as Webster says, giving it “no real value.”
Code:
Good Christians do not carelessly use the term "God," or on any occasion combine it with such words as "damn". They know that this is taking God's name "in vain." Doing so is a mortal sin. BUT... many Christians who do not WANT to "swear" or take God's name in vain, are doing just that when they use such words as "Gosh," "Golly," "Gee," and other similar expressions.
Once again, the dictionary helps us understand what these words mean.
It gives us these definitions:
GEE - a form of Jesus.
GOLLY - a euphemism for God. (Euphemism - the substitution of one word for another.)
GOSH - a substitute for God.
Code:
Another word that some Christians seem to use easily is "darn" (or "darned"). Webster's definition for these words is simply "damn" or "damned." To say, "Gol-darn it" is the same as combining the two words, "God and damn" and adding "it." Also, "I'll be darned" is saying "I'll be damned." No one really wants to be damned! How about the word "heck." The dictionary says that it is another word for "hell."*
I know, some will say, oh ya,…we can expect that from a “fundamentalist”. However I believe this to be proper in a Christian’s life.
I. Your words will come back to you
A. God, Who knows and hears everything, will judge each word you speak (Matthew 12:34-37)
i) “Out of the Abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (v 34)
ii) You will give account for “every idle word” that you speak (v 36)
iii) “By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” (v 37)
Code:
B. God will reveal even what is said in secret
i) It "shall be proclaimed upon the housetops" (Luke 12:2-3)
ii) "God shall judge the secrets of men..." (Romans 2:16)
iii) God will judge every motive - “The thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12-13)
II. A. Profanity: To treat with irreverence or contempt; to treat as common (not sacred); to desecrate.
i) Taking the name of God in vain (Exodus 20:7)
ii) Blaspheming the name of God: to speak of lightly or irreverently (Colossians 3:8)
iii) Speaking lightly of the lake of fire: “Hell”
iv) Euphemisms for God’s name. A word or phrase substituted for a profane word. A less offensive way of saying something offensive. Gosh, Golly, Gad, Good Grief, My God! Goodness Gracious, Gee, Geez, Gee Whiz, Holy smoke, Holy Cow, etc.
B. Cursing: To utter a wish of evil against. To damn something that is, to literally ask God to send someone or something to Hell.
i) Damn it. God damn, “Go to Hell!”
ii) Euphemisms: Darn, Darn it, Durn, Dang.
C. Swearing: To make a solemn promise by appealing to God or something else. To make an oath that you are telling the truth or that you will perform that which you have spoken (“I swear to God).
i) We are not to bear false witness (Exodus 20:16)
ii) Jesus said, “Swear not at all” (Matthew 5:33-36)
iii) Let your communication be, yea, yea; nay, nay…”(Matthew 5:33)
iv) Euphemisms:for Heaven’s sake, My Stars! (swearing by Heaven), My land’s (swearing by earth), By Jove (swearing by a Roman God).
D. Filthy Communication
i) “Put off all…filthy communication out of your mouth.” (Colossians 3:8)
ii) Obscenities: words that are immoral; lewd (“four letter words”). Used as cuss words, expletives (words added for emphasis), and exclamations. Speaking profanely about sex or body parts.
iii) Dirty stories, filthy jokes: “…jesting, which (is) not convenient…” (Ephesians 5:4)
iv) Slang or vulgar words: often used as euphemisms for profanity (bloody, ****, shoot, bull, etc.)
