The older I become and the more circles I take a step into, the question "Lydia, why don't you curse?" pops up. As if it's some sort of rarity. Well it is, even amongst Christians these days. But, before I continue; Please, take note... this post is not meant to judge any of it's readers. Simply just to express the answers to the questions that I've been asked. If what I have to say creates questioning and critical reasoning, that's just a plus!
1) -Cursing-
"Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom."
-James 3:10-13-
It is not my responsibility nor my right to curse another person, only the Creator's. That's why you shouldn't hear me curse someone to Hell, or anything that is not my right to make judgment on. Because in reality, as a sinner I deserve every misfortunate punishment known and unknown to man. I don't fit in the picture with a holy, sinless, and perfect God. Yet He loved me(and the whole world) so much that He made a way for me to be forgiven and made clean of my imperfectness through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
-John 3:16-
I have believed on Jesus for salvation, and have been forgiven. Why through any logical reasoning should I think it's my right to curse another sinner and give him/her the "what for" when I have been forgiven of all the wrong I've ever done.
James wrote to his fellow believers asking a very thought provoking and humbling question. Can the source of something good produce both bad and good together? What comes from my lips is a strong reflection of what is inside. When ever I have an urge to curse another, it's defiantly a red flag of what's going on in my heart.
As a child growing up in the US I've been told not to use potty words. I'm sure most every other child has too. "No one respectable would think well of your manner, nor would they take you seriously." How hypocritical when adults use "adult" words that have the same(or worse) meaning!
"Lydia, why do you talk so different?"
"What do you mean?"
"Like, you sound smart or something... maybe more cultured? You use bigger words? I don't know... You just talk nice and we talk like sh**."
Over the years I've had many questions like this. The one above being the latest. It took me quite some time to figure out what they were or weren't hearing. It couldn't have been my vocabulary as it's not that broad(despite being home schooled...haha). For real, the other day I had to look up the definition for "astronomical." Nope! Definitely not my vocabulary.
The more self-conscious I became, the more I paid notice to the way others spoke. This was the difference I found.
-If I were trying to express a feeling; I would choose a work possessing the same meaning of that emotion. Others would fill in the blank with a cuss word.
-When I couldn't make a thought or sentence long enough. It was simply displayed that I had a lack of what to say.
Others would dress it up with as much swearing they could fit into that sentence. (Sometimes I feel it's an unspoken sport)
-Others would try to create urgency or more meaning to what they said by adding somewhat of a shocking term.
If my thoughts weren't moving without extras, than they didn't deserve to be made otherwise.
What did I learn from this? That there was something to that childhood lesson my parents place much importance on.
One can naturally sound more respectable with using word having the proper meaning to describe what it is they are trying to communicate. Even when we don't consciously hold ourselves or others to that standard, somehow subconsciously we still notice. And, it never hurt anyone's mind to work a little harder to pull from their pool of vocabulary a different word of description. If anything it probably gives it a bit of healthy exercise.
3) -Blasphemy-
Out of all of these, this one is the categories I'm most mindful of. The Bible has not just warned, but also commanded us Christians not to take His name in vain(misuse). "I don't think God would mind too much if I misplaced His name every now and then. After all everyone says it, and sometimes it just slips. Not that big of a sin." I'd beg to differ! If God didn't take this one too seriously, why did He list it No. 3 on the Ten Commandments? Above don't kill, steal, or cheat on your spouse.
"Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain."
Exodus 20:7
So, dear Christians who would never let the "F" bomb drop, but on occasion misplace the name of the creator of heaven and earth, the one who has the power to blow you off face of this little planet... If I were you, I'd recalculate my priorities of speech.
"I though you said your post wasn't meant to judge anyone!" It's not. I'm just giving you the "heads up!"
So, there you have it! Why I choose the words I do. Like I said earlier, these are just my opinions. If you have something to say or to add, please, feel free to do so in the comments below. I do enjoy reading other's thoughts and opinions.
Thanks!
~LL~
4 comments:
Wow, Thank you for sharing!! It's been difficult to explain why it's not ok to cuss even occasionally to others who wonder why we don't. Some people are very shocked to find out that us kids never got our mouths washed out and never heard our parents use "adult" words. It sometimes run out of words to explain and I've also had to fight the urge to mis use the Lord's name even though everybody else does it. Thank you for the encouragement! :)
Thank you so much for this! It was so encouraging and refreshing to read. I used some bad language when I was younger because I thought I was being cool like the other kids. After I didn't feel cool at all. Conviction. That is what I felt, so thank-you and God-bless!
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Well said. I wish everyone else could have that same conviction. I also refuse to swear and swore never to swear when i was younger( that was totally intentional).
When I have that moment of shock, I use a fictional character's name in lieu of a cuss word (i.e. "Oh my giratina")
I find that words just as well.
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