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Listen "Questions - So you asked about words | Cursing | Communication - Video"
Episode Synopsis
Sermon Notes
Matthew 12: 34
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Question: is cursing or using curse words wrong? And what about substitutes? Answer: When we use our words carelessly and flippantly, they lose their value and power. Words matter deeply in our faith, and go much further than just “cursing.” It’s more complicated - the Bible doesn’t define communication by vocabulary, but rather our intention.
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We misuse words when we use them to weaponize our anger. There are 4 and 5 letter words that dehumanize others, or turn our anger to hurt someone else. “Whoever says ‘you fool’ you are liable to the fires of hell.” This text begins with a caution against murder, but there are three parallels that Christ makes - “anger with brother leaves you liable to your brother. Insults leave you liable to the Sanhedrin/council. Words leave you liable to Hell.” The anger involved in all these things shows a weaponized word. We cannot take ‘you fool’ here, as a direct phrase that will send you to hell, because the word is used throughout the Bible. But rather this progression is highlighted here, showing us how a pattern of life, of tearing down fellow brothers and image bearers of Christ, shows a distance from God. What words are you using in your anger? What are your words laced with? Do the intentions behind those words, reflect the grace of Jesus? God could have looked at us as said “worthless,” or "fools" but instead he loves us and gave us His Son. Instead of giving us words of contempt, he gives us ‘THE’ Word. Himself.
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We also misuse words when we use them without their proper weight. On the day of judgement we will give an account of every careless word spoken. We don’t profane Gods name flippantly, but rather to ask of Him, or praise Him. His name is holy. The Jewish people even did not speak his Name, but rather called Him “Adonai” - Lord, in an effort to protect it from common speech.
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What about "Hell"? We are making light of an incredibly weighty place. Just like the boy who called wolf, the more we use a word flippantly, the lighter the reality of thAT word becomes to us. And when we use heavy words against a fellow image bearers, we are casting condemnation in a way that does not match up with the word's meanings. When we chuckle and make a joke about hell, it reveals that I put too small of a weight on such a heavy matter.
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Christ, the holiness of God, paid a heavy price for eternity. The eternity he offers us requires a heavy sacrifice. So my words must reflect the price that was paid for me by a holy God.
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We also misuse words when we use them to color our crudeness. There are some words that paint a picture of us and our bodies incorrectly before God. In light of the calling Jesus gives us, we should not objectify the body and nor even allow the pictures to be painted with our words. Using language in a way that can paint unhealthy sexual pictures in our mind must be rejected. Instead “let there be Thanksgiving” instead of crude talk. The use of our negative words is a reflection of our lack of positive words. If we are continually flowing with contempt, what are we filled with? What are we filling our own heart-tank with? Thoughts of God’s mercy and goodness? Or are we filled with anger, dirtiness or filth.
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That brings us back to our central text today. How we use language shows what is growing inside of us! Am I using my words in a way to give grace to the hearers.
Matthew 12: 34
.
Check us out at: https://citylightvicksburg.org/
Or check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/citylightvicksburg
.
Question: is cursing or using curse words wrong? And what about substitutes? Answer: When we use our words carelessly and flippantly, they lose their value and power. Words matter deeply in our faith, and go much further than just “cursing.” It’s more complicated - the Bible doesn’t define communication by vocabulary, but rather our intention.
.
We misuse words when we use them to weaponize our anger. There are 4 and 5 letter words that dehumanize others, or turn our anger to hurt someone else. “Whoever says ‘you fool’ you are liable to the fires of hell.” This text begins with a caution against murder, but there are three parallels that Christ makes - “anger with brother leaves you liable to your brother. Insults leave you liable to the Sanhedrin/council. Words leave you liable to Hell.” The anger involved in all these things shows a weaponized word. We cannot take ‘you fool’ here, as a direct phrase that will send you to hell, because the word is used throughout the Bible. But rather this progression is highlighted here, showing us how a pattern of life, of tearing down fellow brothers and image bearers of Christ, shows a distance from God. What words are you using in your anger? What are your words laced with? Do the intentions behind those words, reflect the grace of Jesus? God could have looked at us as said “worthless,” or "fools" but instead he loves us and gave us His Son. Instead of giving us words of contempt, he gives us ‘THE’ Word. Himself.
.
We also misuse words when we use them without their proper weight. On the day of judgement we will give an account of every careless word spoken. We don’t profane Gods name flippantly, but rather to ask of Him, or praise Him. His name is holy. The Jewish people even did not speak his Name, but rather called Him “Adonai” - Lord, in an effort to protect it from common speech.
.
What about "Hell"? We are making light of an incredibly weighty place. Just like the boy who called wolf, the more we use a word flippantly, the lighter the reality of thAT word becomes to us. And when we use heavy words against a fellow image bearers, we are casting condemnation in a way that does not match up with the word's meanings. When we chuckle and make a joke about hell, it reveals that I put too small of a weight on such a heavy matter.
.
Christ, the holiness of God, paid a heavy price for eternity. The eternity he offers us requires a heavy sacrifice. So my words must reflect the price that was paid for me by a holy God.
.
We also misuse words when we use them to color our crudeness. There are some words that paint a picture of us and our bodies incorrectly before God. In light of the calling Jesus gives us, we should not objectify the body and nor even allow the pictures to be painted with our words. Using language in a way that can paint unhealthy sexual pictures in our mind must be rejected. Instead “let there be Thanksgiving” instead of crude talk. The use of our negative words is a reflection of our lack of positive words. If we are continually flowing with contempt, what are we filled with? What are we filling our own heart-tank with? Thoughts of God’s mercy and goodness? Or are we filled with anger, dirtiness or filth.
.
That brings us back to our central text today. How we use language shows what is growing inside of us! Am I using my words in a way to give grace to the hearers.
In God we trust