Recently, I seen a discussion on euphemisms. One that came to the forefront was "OMG" Most that I seen in the discussion admitted to using it and didn't see anything wrong and seemed to have fun with it. It reminded me of several Scriptures such as James chapter 3, Mt. 12:34-37 as well as:

Prov. 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Prov. 14:9 Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.

Prov. 10:19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

Prov. 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Prov. 30: 11 There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.

 12 There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.

It also brought to my remember an article by the late Harold Buckles on this subject 35 years ago!

CUSSERS AND CUSSING

 34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

 35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

 36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. (KJV) Mt. 12:34-37

 29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. (KJV) Eph. 4:29

Have you ever heard of the great American SLANGUAGE? If you are one who uses slang or swear words, be sure to read this article. Maybe you are forced to be around this "blue air", either at home or at work. Perhaps you can gain something helpful here. Come alive!

"Less Brains Than A Fish"

If you "cuss", you have less brains than a fish! How do I know that? Ever sin the devil tempts men with is "baited" in one way or another - except cursing. If a man steals, he has a plan as to how he will use his ill gotten gains. Boozers are promised a feeling of security by the devil, some form of "high". BUT - what are CUSSERS offered? NOTHING! One man told me, "It helps to let off steam". I told him I knew that was just another of the devil's lies. See - I just used to hang around the CESS-pool halls. I've heard them cuss and then turn around and curse their own curse words. Cussers bite the devil's UNBAITED hook. Even a fish has more brains than to bite an unbaited hook!!

Cursing...A DEFINITION 

Just what is cursing? It has been defined as "a feeble mind attempting to express itself". Reader, if you have ever been afflicted with this asisnine, ungodly, wicked habit, you KNOW that we write the truth. One man defended his swearing by saying it was "just a habit. I don't mean anything by it". But this is excatly what God says is wrong with such speach.  7 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. Ex. 20:7 If you use the expression, "Oh God", and you don't mean it, you have taken His name in vain. Vain means empty, or without meaning.

One man swore in my presence and I rebuked him for it. He said, "Oh pardon me, I forgot you were a preacher". I told him he owed GOD an apology, not me, for it was HIS name which he had desecrated.

MINCED OATHS - By Words and Slang

You are PROFANE if you use sacred things in a meaningless, irreverent, or blasphemous way. A euphemism is the use of a less offensive word in place of an offensive one. Webster's Dictionary defines "Gosh" as a euphemism for God. This is a SOFTENED form of "God", used as a mild oath. You don't believe me? Look the following up for yourself:

1. Golly. A euphemistic substitute for God. (Webster's)

2. Heck. Slang. A euphemism for hell. (Webster's)

3. Darn. It means damn. (Funk and Wagnel's)

4. What the duce. Really means, what the devil. (Webster's)

5. Gee. Euphemistic contraction of Jesus. (Webster's)

Here are some others for you to check up on: Goh; Egad; Dickens; Goodness Gracious; My Goodness; For Goodness Sake; Zounds; My Heavens; or For Heaven's Sake.

Many who would not think of cursing, openly use slang words which are very closely akin. A large majority of the Christians I know use one or more of these "parlor forms of cussing", and think nothing of it! Such forms of "Slanguage" should be rigidly excluded from our speech.

Jesus said say "yes" or "no", and mean it, without any additions to make it STRONGER. He said that anything more comes from EVIL (Mt. 5:37) Any CHRISTIAN'S "yes" and "no" should be sufficient for his life backs up what he says.

"CUSS LIKE A MAN!"

The Catholic soft ball team was playing the Christ of Christ. Some of the Catholic boys were taking God's name in vain and using other forms of foul language. The Church of Christ preacher stepped out on the field saying since this was a CHURCH league game, he would take his team and go if any more foul language was used. The game turned and the Church of Christ fellows were losing. They began using slang words (some were listed earlier) with the same tone of voice the Catholics had used in swearing. One of the Catholic boys walked out on the field and said, "you little milk and water 'Christians', if you're going to cuss, why don't you cuss like men and use the real thing?"

In this ungodly age in which we live, women are becoming more and more brazen in their profane cussing. In my short life-time, I can remember when a man would not swear in the presence of a woman. But - "you've come a long way, baby". In one secular job I worked at a few years back, the two most profane "loud mouths" on the job were women! Such be-nighted souls only think they've been liberated.Yes, we've even had Presidents who were profane cussers. And it was so very nicely tape recorded so everyone could realize the extent of contamination in high places. But that"Expletive" was finally DELETED. 

Modern sprts seems to be honey combed with profanity. One high school coach I've known cursed the players roughly. Cursing in any form is NOT harmless.

The Cause and The Cure for Cussing

Jesus said that "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh" (Mt. 12:34). Some swear to add "flavor" to their speech. But God has said, "let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth" (Eph 4:29). It is evident that God doesn't favor that flavor! Some curse when they are angry. One man said, "I never swear, except when I am angry". He was told that he may as well have said, "I never kill anyone, unless I am angry".

Only Christ can clean up a sinner's HEART. With the heart man believers unto righteousness, and then he can use his mouth the right way, to confess Christ (Rom. 10:9, 10). Once you are truly converted to Christ, baptized for the remission of your sins, you will want to say only what Christ wants you to say (cf. Acts 26:19, 20).

Here are some charges against profanity:

1. It sets a bad example for everyone.

2. It destroys the character of the one who swears, and pollutes the minds of the hearers.

3. It dishonors God, who created all things.

4. It destroys reverence for God.

5. Nothing good, helpful, or noble ever came from swearing.

6. Swearing does not encourage anyone to do what is right.

7. Swearing is a contempt for law, both God's and man's.

YOUR SPEECH

Become a true Christian. "Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man" (Col. 4:6).

Peter was asked if he was a follower of Christ (Mt. 26:71-74). He cursed and swore, saying "I know not the man". You don't have to say that you aren't a Christian. Just cuss, and everyone will know you are not one!

God made man's mouth (Ex. 4:11). God expects us to use that ability to praise Him! (Heb. 13:15) Do it.

Harold Buckles

Taken from:

GOOD READING - Volume 15 No. 4 - April - 1981