Apparently you can't be a Christian if you swear.

mackenzieyourfriendzie:

greaterthings:

mackenzieyourfriendzie:

Welcome to Azusa Pacific University, Mackenzie

i don’t think i will be accepted then?

haha well you can, there’s just people who don’t understand that Christianity isn’t about the words you use as much as the meaning of the words you use.

Not that they hate me. They just don’t necessarily see me becoming a youth pastor.

I know right? Like the high schoolers don’t freaking know what those words are? Seriously.

I sometimes have a problem with swearing and such. I am not condemning anybody, but there are a few reasons why I see swearing as unnecessary or innapropriate.

First, Stupidity. When it is excessive and used as adjectives in most sentences and then verbs in others, it just plain makes you look less intelligent. People are less likely to listen to or care what others are saying if they constantly repeat the same words, especially swear words. This is especially pertinent in business and school settings I think.

Second, Overuse. Swear words are meant to show intense feelings, right? But if used often, not necessarily every sentence, but often, then the effect of the word is lost. So simply, using swear words can have the opposite effect then may be intended. If I were to angrily swear around people I knew, then they would know that something is wrong cause I don’t really swear. Other times if you want to place emphasis with a word like ‘damn’, like, “That was a damn good movie!,” then it would lose its power over time if you described most things with “damn.”

Third, Anger. If you do use swear words for emphasis, particularly in anger, then there are a few things that Christians should keep an eye out for. If we are yelling at people “Damn you!” “Go to hell!” or “Shut the fuck up!” then we are obviously being angry at a person which is usually not appropriate. When we are angry we shouldn’t let it spew out in deconstructive words that can potentially tear down others. That doesn’t really fit in with the whole loving each other thing. I don’t remember Jesus cussing people out in his anger.  On the other hand, swear words are often used as expressions of pain or resentment and such, and those are often out of habit, but that also can fall under overuse. ^{Matthew 15: 18}”But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man." If we often use swear words it can be seen as a reflection of what is in our hearts. Christians should be filled with Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Self-Control, etc. By spewing  out swear words, first of all it isn’t very self-controlling if we seem to just always let them slip, and second, they don’t reflect those qualities of Jesus. The fruit of the spirit are shown through are actions and words. We need to be careful how we use them as they may not really help us move towards the image of Christ.

^{Colossians 3: 8} “But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. ⁹ Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. ¹⁰ Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him”

Again, I am not saying swearers go to hell, obviously, and I am definitely not supporting going up to people and telling them swearing is wrong. But I want to proposition that it can be a stumbling block in our path, and if you are not angrily using ‘bad words’ you can also consider the desires of your Christian brothers and siblings. If you find that it bothers them, then it wouldn’t kill to have some self-control, and on the flip-side, it wouldn’t hurt to have some loving patience and understanding and to not focus on appearances.