"Light-- if at all" Swearwords, profanity, and obscenity through language.

Jordan,

You really would do well to change your choice of words. You really don't have to express yourself like the rest of the world does or what you say is civilly acceptable in society. Consider that it might be pride in you to demand that others accept your speach, especially when it would be so easy for you to change it. We are guests on this forum and we should remember that.

GaryE

The censorship on this board is quite appalling to me.

You say you wish to discuss this civilly yet launch a handful of accusations. If you cannot handle the simplest of corrections without feeling a need to vindicate yourself you are going to have a real hard time being humble.

Don't be surprised if someone else ends up deleting this ...

This is another reason that I tire of Christianity

It would be best that you pour your complaint out before God, and let him help you move on from there. He can help you - just like he's helped many who felt like you do now.

After the turmoil settles, what will you feel about this post? I know that you would not wish that others saw this. I trust that you will remove this, and maybe turn it into a prayer, asking God to help you have a merciful heart - just like Jesus had towards those who hurt him.

EDIT: after taking more careful observation of you words, I see some legitamate concerns... will address in a later post.

Diane

jordanamo,

As far as the use of words, it is clearly commanded in Scripture that our words be pure:

1 Cor 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

Eph 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Col 3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

Sure, the "c" word is probably not that big a deal, it may be lawful, but is it expediant? It may not hurt us, but what about the weak brother that listens to us. Not out of legalism, but that we would simply choose whatever is good, whatever is just, etc, etc. Would it not be disappointing to meet Christ and hear Him use the "c" word? So we should not use the cleanest words possible to meet a standard, but because we want to be little Jesus' (Christ-ians).

As far as "OMG", we are talking about using the name of the Creator to express human disappointment, disapproval, or shock. God says not to use His name in vain, and the word "vain" basically means selfishness. So how much more selfishly could we use the name of the Lord than to use it as a haphazard expression?

So using clean language is not to impress God or anyone else, but that others would see our good works "and glorify your Father which is in Heaven." Jesus said for us to be light in a dark world. Light can be seen. So the world watches us to see if our deeds are Christ-like, or like the world. So let our words glorify the Lord Jesus, not to maintain a standard, but to show our love to Christ, by keeping His commandments:

John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

We do this not out of debt, but out of love.

They are great scriptures, unforunatly we cannot change ourselves especially when we live in habit, I can tell you that its not easy, not to swear if thats all you knew before you were saved, I personally think it is good that the forum only puts on edifying topic's, I mean if some one came on here with a lust problem and saw a topic on sex, it could cause people to speak things that are not revelant to the topic in itself even if it is spoken in a godly way, most speeches can end up ungodly in the end, I have seen it happen to normal conversations between people and its not worth it, I can see where this person is coming from but I do agree that swearing isnt needed to be written on the forum even if we dont agree with what is written, its not worth it. I hate swearing out of anger in general let alone reading it by some one else to be honest, if we swear on everything how can we possibly have a chance to change for the good. But love mercy and peace needs to be respected by all parties, no one is perfect and God is changing us all from Glory to Glory, Strength to strength. God Bless.

As a young man trying to follow the way of purity I'd just like to say thankyou to Greg and the other moderaters, for your censorship. I appreciate it alot. Thankyou!

why is it so often when a person that have some "power" like now the moderators come in and use it, not just here on SI but in real life, when someone speaks out and say this is wrong, so often someone shouts "LEGALIST!!!" i know what they meen but i thank god there are men who have the curage to obey the LAWS JESUS GAVE US, im grateful at what "level" the bar is set on this forum, i promise you if Greg would let anyone post what they want it wouldent take long until it would be full of filth from the world, lets keep ourself clen, whitout spot or wrinkle... At my workplace the lostpeople talk about everything whit no regard to anyone, Men speak about how and what they are or isent doing to thier wifes...and it just discusting to listen to, and what grives me the most is i used to be like that, im so ashamed... anything used to come out of my mouth, but by the grace of god he cleansed me and gave me the holy spirit that now convicts me in such a state i cant talk like that anymore, our talking should be such that it gives glory to GOD, no matter the topic,
id recomend read thrue proverbs... anyone will discover great things about HOW GOD WANTS people to talk... if you read it whit that intention...its a great study

christian

John Wesley: "Holiness is not legalism."

Again on the subject of pure language, we should look to the famous chapter of Isaiah 6. Before the prophet could be sent out what was his confession?

[5] Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.

...then God's judgment/cleansing on the unclean lips:

[6] Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:

[7] And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.

All this done BEFORE God could send the prophet, and moreso, before God would even CALL the prophet to go forth:

[8] Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

[9] And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.

Clean speech is not a joke with God. So why should his people not take seriously what He takes seriously in His Word? Jesus says it all here:

Matt 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

Jordan, I apologize for not reading carefully through to the end of your post where your REAL concern is expressed – and quite well at that. You said:

God doesn't really care I believe about those girls saying "omg!"-- …. I believe we really cross the line into religion and out of spirit.

Let me tell you a story about a little boy named Jesepi.
Jesepi lived in an Italian village with his poverty-stricken mother. By and by they noticed that each day at noon a banquet table was being prepared in the village square. It was covered with a vast assortment of delicious foods – meet, gravy, potatoes, pies, etc. Then some finely-dressed townsfolk came and seated themselves at the table, and ate.

One day Mother told Jesepi to go and ask them for some food, being that they were so very poor.

Jesepi went as he was instructed, and when he asked for some food, they said, “Go away, you are not dressed properly!”

So Mother decided to sew Jesepi a fine-looking suit. The next day, he went to the banquet, this time handsomely dressed. They welcomed him with open arms. “Come, young man,’ they said. “Here is a chair for you. Eat whatever you wish!”

Jesepi filled his plate. Then he proceeded to spread his food all over his suit. He put his potatoes in the pockets, smeared gravy all down his sleeves, and poured juice all over his pants. And then he went home.

His mother was horrified. “Oh, Jesepi, Jesepi, what have you done?” she cried. Jesepi said, “Mother, they only welcomed me because of my suit, so I fed the suit.”

whose religion does far worse things in thought and deed.

This is a sad truth.

When God said, “Do not take the name of the Lord your God in vain” he was not talking about cussing, I believe. He was warning people against viewing themselves as HIS children while not living in a faithful relationship with him. That’s like a woman who takes a man’s name, calling herself Mrs. ___ while she has no authentic relationship with the man. Instead, she works hard to make it look like she is his wife - with all the right talk and behavior. But it is all in vain.

Spirit-filled Christian aren’t interested in a fine-looking flawless banquet. They are concerned about the “shabby” people who desperately need some of the Bread and Water. They nurture the person, not the “suit”.

You are right, Jordan, one’s speech habits don’t necessarily make a good thermometer for the heart’s condition.

Of course, teaching and expecting good manners is not necessarily hypocritical. It should be about respecting one another, not about looking polished on the outside.

Diane

roadsign,

Dear sister, I must disagree with you to a degree. I agree that 'not cussing' cannot be the only measure of one's walk with the Lord, but it is a big one. This is from experience in the ministry, and from observation of my brothers and sisters in Christ.

It is not always, but most always true, that most who curse have a more liberal view of Scripture. Not only this but they tend to have issues with larger sins: lust, theft, anger, etc. As well, they often time have a harder time understanding the Scriptures and a harder time disciplining themselves to pray and study daily.

Simply I mean that one that tends not to bring every thought captive and let curses come out of their mouth, tends to have other normal human tendencies get out of control. In other words, a little cussing here and there, usually goes hand-in-hand with a little pornography, or a little 'buzz' here and there. However the Bible calls these fornication and drunkenness.

I think of how the Bible uses the words "blessing and cursing" as opposites. Jesus said that if one cannot be trusted with little, how could they be trusted with true riches. I think the same of one that cannot control their tongue, cannot be trusted with the annointing of God in their message. Isaiah had his lips purged before God would even call him.

This is my opinion as a relatively new Christian (4 yrs), but in all honesty, I think I will say the same thing after 20 more.

Maybe I am just too much of a fundamentalist or something, but I say, 'let him that cusses, cuss no more.'

the absence of profanity offends no-one!

Dear sister, I must disagree with you to a degree

… one that tends not to bring every thought captive and let curses come out of their mouth, tends to have other normal human tendencies get out of control.

Yet it so happens that clean speech can be merely socially learned behavior rather than a product of spiritual humility. We naturally respond more positively towards those who have good speech etiquette while wincing at the rugged ones. And yet the one with rough language may be closer to the kingdom than one who has all his “p’s and “q’s” in the right place. It is simply a fact of life: The worst sinners may not necessarily get the biggest chastisements from society or church, or SI. They may simply be better at playing the social rules.

Life never has been “fair”. And, Jordan, probably everyone on this forum has been frustrated with hypocrisy in the church, and hurt by it. That's why we're here. We're concerned. But we move on. We turn our anger into a love for God's people and a burdened for revival.

"freedom of speech"

I emphasise:

… teaching and expecting good manners is not necessarily hypocritical. It should be about respecting one another, not [merely] about looking polished on the outside.

Hope that is clarifying.

Diane

I was giving the Gospel to a guy a few months ago and he was a bit 'rough' in the speech department. Anyway, he got saved and phoned me up that night and I noticed he still used some off colour words, I never corrected him or quoted any scriptures about his language. I have noticed over the months that he has stopped swearing (while he's talking to me at least, maybe everywhere) and he's trying his best to give up the cigarettes. To me he has had a true conversion and the fruits are beginning to show.

Some people, when they are saved, never use another cussword, stop smoking and drinking overnight, but I didn't and most of the Christians I know have some things that still need dealing with.

If they are not saved, then we cannot complain about their language, if they are, then we should always point them in the direction of Jesus, He and He alone will deal with them, otherwise it's done in the flesh and will not last.

Just my two cents

Ste

Jordan,

I, for one, really appreciate the editing the moderators do to keep this forum edifying for people who have to deal with carnality, who strive to live victoriuosly over sin AND temptation, who work to honor and glorify God. Since they are the owners of it, they have the right to set the rules and enforce them. We are their guests, like another poster said.

I used to go participate in another forum, and sir, there was no moderating, people were nasty. Christians were held up to ridicule; some Christians would bait their critics and you would have some full-blown fights...and the moderators just let it go....Sir, this site is so kind, generous in comparison.

About the use of certain words: sir, if your vocabulary is so limited you have to frequently resort to barnyard language for adjectives perhaps you should take a good dictionary and see if you cannot improve it with a greater variety in which you can express yourself. Sir, you are never too old to learn. I am 59 years old and am still learning....new words.

Blessings,
ginnyrose

Preach it!