In thinking of this issue, a few verses come in mind:

"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)

"But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips." (Colossians 3:8)

The section on "taming the tongue"(James 3:1-13)

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.(Philippians 4:8)

And this is a good question to ponder, because if this is sin, as Christians, we are to avoid it. For those who are not Christians, sin is a heart problem, not an outward problem, that is why many people who are not born again do not care if they sin.

play4fun : Heh, absolutely. But it's like putting the cart before the horse with morality to a non-Christian .

tRIUNE : meh, kinda. But when talking about the issue of sin, we should understand that it is MORE than just morality. It is an act of rebellion against God.

I think it depends on how you use swear words.

The phrase "F#UCK THIS" has different meaning to the phrase "F#UCK GOD". I think swearing is fine when you use it when something bad happens and just shout out profanity But I think its bad if you are using it as a weapon against others.

"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)

This verse could mean dirty talk of any kind. It seems more situational to me, as it doesn't say using a word like s*** is gonna bring everyone down. If you swore at me, I'd just laugh it off. I swear, but I'm not trying to justify it. It is wrong, but it is worse to make what is just simple words into a forbidden fruit that we are hoping children don't eat. They normally will eat it.

"But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips." (Colossians 3:8)

I'm not gonna say anything on this, as I agree. Just gonna be a smart aleck to lighten things up. What if I can't rid my mind of my lips with filthy language?

Okay. Joke over.

The section on "taming the tongue"(James 3:1-13)

That is an interesting way to put it. I can see where you're coming from, but that section is mostly about malicious words and the like. I could be wrong, though. If I'm remembering correctly, if saying a swear word doesn't hurt a person, is it wrong?

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." (Philippians 4:8)

*hides evil comic books, video games, music, and possibly even my brain*

Joking aside, this verse always had a different meaning to me than most Christians. For example, would Jesus, a man who has good taste, enjoy hearing Christian music played badly? I know he's a loving man, but he also has ears. Would he enjoy watching a Christian cartoon that was badly made? Would he enjoy playing those terribly bad Christian games released by Wisdom Tree with maybe the exception of some of the games?

Would Jesus want us to only keep our creativity in happy land, and avoid the dark side of life? I'm not a strong Christian, or even lukewarm Christian. I can be taken as a worm if you'd like. I'm a Christian that barely is even there spiritually. That's not good, but that's me.

Even as a strong Christian, I loved the dark side of things. I loved the scary stuff. I enjoyed drawing Hellish things more than I did less creepy stuff. I'm still the same. If God is to be the light, is it possible that God also uses people like me to spread the word in our way?

This may not seem to make sense given the topic at hand, but swearing is considered part of death, and so is the darkness of things. Would Jesus call out on a goth's clothing? Would Jesus call out on a guy with a love for tattoos? Would Jesus do anything more than love everyone for who they really are? If I were listening to music with Jesus, I would not be ashamed to put in anything I own. I can imagine Jesus is rocking out like the metalheads are whenever he hears a good tune coming out the amps of a metal band. He was a very metal guy, anyway. I mean, metal is about being yourself and not letting anyone tell you what to do. Jesus was a lot like this.

He accepted the people who were considered scum of the Earth by many. He loved them. He wasn't scared to die on the cross. I could see Jesus in a mosh pit at a concert having a good time, and helping those knocked down up. Christianity is just like a mosh pit. It's all push, and you can be knocked down. Someone will help you up, though.

Sorry for the long post. I had to get my opinion out.

Also, isn't Christianity rebellion in a way? We call ourselves sheep, but what about the fact that we don't let the world tell us what is right? What about those who die for their very beliefs? This is as rebellious as anything to me.

I don't know. It depends on how often you cuss.

8bitgamer :
What if the person doesn't swear often and when they do, they say God*d word*?

KlawedFlaw : From what I read, it seems like you think that sin is something that would hurt someone. Sometimes it doesn't. There are things that are wrong in God's eye that does not directly hurt anyone, but is still sin. Anything that we do that is sin (not just our deeds, but also our thought-life) is an act of rebellion against God. Sin is basically the transgression of God's law or God's standard. (1 John 3:4)

So if swearing is wrong, then it is sin. So the question is, is it wrong/sin? And from the verses that I was thinking about, our mouths were made to do edifying things rather than using vulgar language.

Also, for Ephesians 4, if you look at the different versions of the verse, "unwholesome" can also mean "foul or abusive language," "corrupting talk," "evil speech," "filthy talk" etc.

"Would Jesus want us to only keep our creativity in happy land, and avoid the dark side of life?"

Well Jesus does not want to get involved with the dark side (except forgive and eliminate it)

"Swearing is considered part of death, and so is the darkness of things."

I don't understand this statement.

"He accepted the people who were considered scum of the Earth by many. He loved them. He wasn't scared to die on the cross."

Well, He loved everyone, but the "scum" are the once who are heartbroken and are ready to receive the gift of salvation that He provides to them. He offers salvation to everyone, but the proud do not think that they need it. He needs to die on the cross, because that is how people can be reconciled of their sins through faith. That is how much God loves the world.

"Also, isn't Christianity rebellion in a way? We call ourselves sheep, but what about the fact that we don't let the world tell us what is right? What about those who die for their very beliefs? This is as rebellious as anything to me."

Umm, to the world, it is considered rebellion, but that is because Christians claim that what they believe is truth, and that they desire to be holy and righteous when God does a work in their life. That, from the world's viewpoint, is very different to them, because the world loves sin, and loves worldly things.



8bitgamer : I don't think the amount of time you do it would determine whether it is sin or not...if I take your wallet ONLY once, that is still the sin of thievery; If I murdered only one person, that is still the sin of murder. So the object determines whether it is sin or not.

Ephesians 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..


Ephesians 5:4

Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.


These are just a few that bring up the subject. I do believe cussing is a sin.

I've read "ass" in the King James Version that meant donkey, however did the word "donkey" exist then?