BIBLICAL BRIEFS 95
What is considered as cussing, swearing, and cursing largely depends on the cultural groupings within which the “bad words” are used. Generally speaking, there is consensus of which words are less acceptable or taboo in a language. Over time, certain previously contaminated words became more acceptable. For example, if someone hits his thumb with a hammer, “shit” will not be inappropriate for most people, even Christians. Black people who speak Afrikaans uses “fôkôl” emphatically without blinking an eye. Yet, someone in the general civilized conversation is stigmatized whenever he uses foul language. Eph. 4:31 spells it out: “Do not curse.” Cursing can quickly become a bad habit, or even using God’s name as a power word, and it actually exposes a deficient vocabulary . The Bible mentions “dirty” or “shameful language”, “bad talk” and “idle” or “hard words” in various places as inappropriate for believers. James 3:10 shows that the natural person’s tongue can not be tamed, it is unintelligible evil, full of deadly poison and it flows into obscenity. If, however, our tongue is under the control of the Holy Spirit, and “if any man speak, let it be as words of God” (1Pet.4:11), we will definitely be more aware of how a shadow of arbitrary cursing will be cast upon our spiritual witness. Certain psychological conditions, such as Tourette syndrome, causes those suffering from it to involuntary curse as a result of neurological malfunctioning. There is also a demonic manifestation caused by the spirit of koprolalie, which causes people (even believers) to be blasphemous beyond their nature, unable to control it. Sometimes it even happens in their minds, and they always then fear that they have cursed God and blasphemed the Spirit of God. These are special cases to be dealt with separately, and not in line with the self-control believers should exercise. Jesus’ words in Matt. 12:37 remains a very important guideline to us in this matter: “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Dr Tom Gouws
