Swearing - an offense or just an expression of anger

It is fair to say that in our society, we all are accustomed to hearing certain unpleasant words. According to Google Definitions, A 'Swear Word' is 'an offensive word, used especially as an expression of anger'. We have been educated that these words are offensive, and have been disciplined to not use them, yet many use these words on a regular basis. While few use them to express anger in the slip of the tongue and with much apology and penitence, others use them at a higher frequency with very little or no remorse.

As Christians, how are we to respond to this in our society? What does the Bible ultimately say about this contemporary problem? And 'WHY' is it a problem, especially for the Christian?

Colossians 3:7-8 says, You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage. malice, slander and filthy language from your lips.

That is a command with a lot of clarity! It clearly commands the Christian to rid themselves of 'filthy language' - in other words, what our society has branded as 'swearing'. When we choose to follow Christ and identify ourselves in Him, we need to repent of our old ways. We've become 'new creations' as the 'old things have passed away'; we're 'born again'. We need to flee from all sinfulness; we need to hate sin, thus, we need to say 'NO' to swearing, primarily in our lives and then in the society. However, I do understand that most things are easier said than done.

Many may wonder: Why? Why should we not swear? If it is offensive in the eyes of the world, why should it be all the more offensive in the eyes of a Christian?

1Peter 2:11-12 & 15 say, Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits...For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.

The answer to the above questions is clearly stated in the passage above. When we profess to be Christians, our society watches the way we live more closely. We need to seek to please God primarily and show our society that we are living a 'new', 'changed' life. Yes, the pressure is on! However, what a fantastic opportunity we have to glorify the Savior! We are called to be living testimonies, by not partaking in what the world does - in this case, 'swear' - we stand out. Trust me, people notice the difference, the difference in our relationships and our lifestyles, and they seek the reason - what a better way to point to the Savior!

The truth is, we're not perfect. There will be times when we slip, however, lets not give up but persevere! We live in the world, but should ensure that we're not of the world. When you're tempted to pour out with these words, stop, think and pray for guidance asking God to put a rein over your tongue  - 'clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience...[and] put on love...'(Col 3:12 & 14)  Swearing may seem harmless, however it speaks a lot about a person and can even hurt others. Lets not just call ourselves Christians, but lets profess to be Christians both in word and deed.

Remember:

Colossians 3:17 - ...Whatever you do, word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

When we profess to be Christians, our society watches the way we live more closely!

Practical Purity for Christian Young Ladies: Tips for Mental Purity

Practical Purity for Christian Young Ladies: Tips for Mental Purity: Girls are emotional... big surprise, right? What we fill our minds with will determine the way we see the world and the way we react emotio...

The Unlikely Hero - Meet God at the Microphone!

Do you consider yourself a shy person? Do you have a passion to serve God but cannot fight the fears that hinder you? Are you afraid of stepping out of your comfort zone?
You are not alone. Many young people across the globe, including me, feel the same way, especially when it comes to evangelism. The fears of rejection, hostility and unpopularity cloud our minds and fill us with anxiety, disabling us from spreading the Gospel. However, we need to rise up - if we don't, who will?
One of my favorite evangelists, Ray Comfort, is now known for his open air preaching, passion or burden for the lost and fearless, shameless means of street evangelism, however, he was not always this way. In fact, in his earlier Christian days, he thought that he could never stand up in the middle of the street and preach the Gospel to a multitude of strangers. God had other plans! Mr. Comfort had found a cause higher than his fears - the cause of testifying to the Gospel of Christ to save the lost, however, did not find the means to cast off the fear. One day when Mr.Comfort was out on the streets, God moved his heart to speak out and preach the Gospel, he took a step of faith and God met him at the microphone - God guided him, continues to guide him and he hasn't stopped speaking out for the advancement of His kingdom.
Sometimes, it takes an act of faith and trust in God to dismiss the whispers of fear and anxiety - when we do so, like Mr. Comfort and Zac (another unlikely hero, whose story is attached below) found out, God certainly meets you at the microphone.

Don't be discouraged by your present personality or disheartened by your inability to step out of your comfort zone, God can use anybody, embrace the burden and passion for the lost, find the cause that is greater than your fear and remember - if you don't speak up, who will?

The Unlikely Hero - God can use anybody!

I'm too young to make a difference! Could something this small really change the world? I'm so imperfect, God wouldn't want to use me! If only I had... If only I was.... If only I could...

How often do these thoughts cloud our minds and discourage us from serving God for the advancement of His kingdom?

However, the truth is that God wants us the way we are, we can be used best by Him, as our imperfect selves - not as someone else. The little we do, with His help, for His glory matters a lot to Him, He notices it - We are never too young, never too imperfect, to make a difference!

The Bible is filled with unlikely heroes...

Mary - A teenager who was blessed and privileged to give birth to Jesus
David - An adulterer, murderer, shepherd who God transformed into Israel's greatest king and called him a 'man after His own heart'
Rehab - A simple gentile, a prostitute who God used to safeguard Israel and also gave the privilege to be one of the ancestors of Jesus
Moses - A murderer, stutterer, coward who God transformed and used to redeem and lead Israel out of slavery
Abraham - An idolater who become the father of Israel, God's inheritance
Paul - A murderer who chose to persecute and kill many Christians, God used him mightily for the advancement of His own kingdom and transformed him. Paul was even later martyred for His profession of faith in Christ.

The list goes on...

God is famous for using the unlikeliest people in a mighty way. In Mark Lowry's words 'God can use anybody, He has got no standards' -  He is willing to use you too, no matter who you are or what you've done - He can turn you around and mould you into what you can be with Him by your side!

Are you ready to be another unlikely hero?

180 Movie - A must watch!

A must watch pro-life documentary that will not only challenge you but change you. 

Your view on abortion will never be the same! 

Watch 180 - Turn 180

In this documentary, Ray Comfort(a committed Evangelist) draws an interesting parallel between the Holocaust and abortion, the 'Modern Holocaust'. This comparison is not only a very valid point, but one that cannot be easily dismissed or ignored; above all, it is a thought-provoking comparison that is bound to impact the audience in a remarkable way; God has used this documentary to touch and change many lives already.

Mr.Comfort not only draws out strong Biblical evidence to strengthen and validate his arguments, but also uses simple ubiquitous illustrations to help us analyse and evaluate for ourselves, the purpose and pain surrounding abortion. 

If you think nothing can change your mind on abortion, think again! 

Although '180' approaches the issue of abortion in a challenging way, abortion still remains an issue that is highly debated - ethical debates concerning individual, exclusive situations continue to baffle many Christians and medics. In situations where we lack discernment, one can only turn to the one and only reliable source of all advice and comfort, God. Remember, only God's will prevails and He is ready to help any who seek and cry out to Him earnestly.