The Cussing Pastor

Comments

[Shawn Lovejoy]

I have NEVER agreee with you more than on this one...Can't wait for you to share like this with church planters at our conference in February!

[Larry]

Thanks Pastor Ed great wisdom in your words. I think we tend to fall away from the high standard God called us to and need to be reminded and challenged to reach higher.

[Donny Pauling]

I am not entirely sure how I got to this post. In the mornings when I catch up on articles in my google reader, "tweets", Facebook links, etc... I just open those that look interesting in separate Firefox tabs, then work through reading them. By the time I got to this, I can no longer recall where I clicked the link. I think it was in someone else's "tweet".

Now I'm rambling. How typical of me.

I've been serving Jesus for almost three years. Sure, I had a Christian background (my dad was a Pastor) but for the nine years prior to "the surrender" (September 2006) I was a porn producer, hated everything about the church and had a big chip on my shoulder for all things Christian.

A month and one week after I first surrendered my life to God (long story) I wrote a blog post about Christian "Parroting" ( http://tr.im/nyGI ). In that post I made a list of words and phrases Christians say, yet likely don't even know what the phrases really mean. While many of my opinions have changed over the last three years, I still think the use of "Christianese" is more damaging than the use of mild curse words - by that I mean, "Christianese" turns off more people than would a Pastor saying the word "Damn". "Hallelujah" sounds pretty stupid when the person is just saying it to sound "Christian". So does "God bless you, brother" when you can tell the person is just rattling something off in church without really meaning it.

EVEN SO... I have noticed my usage of curse words (even mild ones) has drastically declined and is almost zero most of the time. That has nothing to do with wanting to "fit in" with my fellow Christians - I just don't feel like using the language anymore. I've been enrolled in a Seminary program for awhile now, learning fascinating "stuff" and spending a lot of time with Jesus. I think all of that just changes the way I talk.

But I still don't speak Christianese. Gross.

[Rick Smith]

To my cussing friends…I will make a move to stop, please join with me…

We use words like pissed, sucks and hell to shock the world yet dull descriptions of God to describe pizza, movies and our day at the river. Amazing, awesome and excellent is the Creator, Christ our Savior.

Guard your words.

Wise as serpents – Harmless as doves.

Thank you Mr. Stone and Mr. Young!

[Brian Carlton]

Jesus said that "out of the mouth the heart speaks". So...when we boil it all down...it's really a "heart" condition! Even when we use substitute words (you all know what I mean) it doesn't change the intent of our heart. Yet we fool ourselves into believing that watering down our curse words make them less dangerous. Dropping the F-bomb will not send you to hell, but it in no way is edifying to the body of Christ. And we are called to use our words to edify and encourage. Like mama used to say..."if you don't have nothin' nice to say, then don't say nothin' at all!" That's some good advice right there.

[Danny]

I must admit, I can't understand this. I honestly am blown away that so many leaders or lay people use this language. I knew as a lost person they were wrong. When I got saved Jesus was better than what the world had given me. Why does it seem that people want to protect their worldly language. Maybe I'm confused, I thought our lives were to be built around Jesus, not around defending our sin.

[Shaun Matako]

Thanks Ed!
I pastor a real cutting edge church in the heart of the Big Horn Basin near Yellowstone in Wyoming. Here in 'cowboy country' the langhuage can get pretty colorful. I have to confess that I have found myself caught up in the use of profanity from time to time. Your message reminded me that from the mouth cannot come both blessings and cursings. I'm going to take that more to heart and dare to be different! Thanks Ed. I needed that!

[Kendall]

Ed,Good thoughts on the words we speak. The power of life and death are in the tongue. I think it takes more creativity to find more "life giving" ways to be relevant. As Pastors we do need those who we can pass things by and allow frankness and transparency to wisely guide us.

[Zack]

Hey Ed,

From the 'Church Marketing (Stinks)' blog reply to your video:

The fact is, one person's cool is another person's relevant. One person's relevant is another person's reality. One person's reality is another person's damnation.

What do you think?

[Karen Mayer Cunningham]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!! I am a stand up comic and there are no shortage of words, that bring joy and edification, and a great point and a punch line and a great close, they are available!!! Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart, be pleasing to you, oh Lord. Thank you for helping us to be better, different and set apart!!!!

[Jeff Neely]

Just remember that anything we say - if it can be taken in a negative or harmful way by just one person and cause them to stumble then we need to be careful. Are those words wrong? Mabye not! But are they harmful or helpful. Above reproach!! No matter if we are talking to teens, or adults. Makes no difference.

[Drew]

It's not about adding an 11th Commandment. As many have stated, there are way too many factors involved. And of course, as Christians, we are called to live not by the letter of the Law, but by the law of the Spirit.

Though it is not a matter of creating rules, it is a matter of wisdom, and God loves wisdom. Wisdom is seeing things through God's eyes. I think Ed Young does raise the point that we should all seek God's wisdom concerning the way we talk. Words do matter. Choose them wisely.

Plus, Christian's pattern of speech should be different from a non-Christian's. After all, a Christian should have a much more positive perspective on life than most non-Christians. Thus, the things they talk about should be a whole lot different.

Yes, there may be times where certain language can help people to know that you understand where they are coming from. In other situations, sometimes some tough language is useful, and perhaps even necessary, for getting a person's attention. (Sometimes nice does not work with addicts and people who are endangering their lives through self-destructive behaviors.) But, if you thoughtlessly use this language all the time, it will lose it's attention-grabbing effect. Our everyday patterns of speech should be more influenced by the fact that our minds are set on heavenly things.

[Loree C.]

I think you're right, but I never thought of "sucks" and "screwed" as bad words or filthy language before. I guess if they are even questionable then we probably would be better off not even saying them.

[Andy]

Timely, as I just this morning caught myself once again pausing singing along with my praise and worship music in the car to verbally berate the people around me.

[Wesley Black]

Yeah I agree, I'm a young pastor and seminary student and I often see my self fustrated and dropping an f*%#* bomb or a what the h$^* is going on. Inwardly the Holy Spirit convicts me that its really a lack of self-control.

However I think at times it's fitting as it, there is a lot of phoniness in American Christianity. We keep our game faces on so much, we take it out on our spouses or children. I'm not saying its right, but people need environments where they can express themselves, and if you're in an environment that suggests, keep it together, how do you express your honest condition. Brokeness is a reality, and even real amongst pastors, but if there is no outlet to handle your brokeness than you carry that until your tongue cannot be tamed anymore.

[Me]

I understand that the Bible encourages us to avoid unwholesome talk. But how do you define unwholesome? Webster defines "sucks" as something that is objectionable or inadequate. If I watch a movie that is inadequate in my opinion, I say the movie sucked. That's not any more unwholesome than saying the movie was not very good.

The word cuss is merely an alteration of the word curse. And to curse, the act the Bible proscribes, is the act of invoking harm or injury to come on someone. I think we are attempting to prohibit something the Bible does not prohibit.

[Jeff Pruitt]

Bro You are awesome! I'm a pastor in Wisconsin.I was on twitter this morning and saw your link! When I watched the video I was taken back by your foul language lol! What was crazy is that I've used some of those words recently (teenage son) and didn't think much about it until I heard "Pastor Ed Young" say them...then I was mortified! Pretty convicted! You've opened up a can of worms and I love it! Keep us on our toes!

[Mike Kendall]

This opens up a debate on what are curse words and what isn't? There will certainly be different opinions based on many factors.
I agree that there doesn't need to be cursing in a message. But I don't think sucks is a curse word. If you say "sucks" or "screwed" in the right context there is nothing wrong with it. For example if I am preaching to a group of youth that are non believers I might use those words to describe something, they will identify with that. I wouldn't use cuss words. But if I was preaching to a group of adults I might change my language so they could identify. I might use the word "stinks" instead of "sucks". Would that be wrong? I don't think so and I don't think it would be trying to be cool in either context. Isn't that what Paul did in his travels? He wasn't trying to be cool, but was being relevant and real to identify with the different cultures and without being sinful. I think it's a heart matter. How is the word being used? To desribe something very real or in a sinful manner? And to the person who said "would you use those words if Jesus were standing with you?" YES I would if it were me being real. When I pray to Jesus I don't use "fake, big, trying to be smart" Christian words. I use real words that express how I really feel. If my day sucks and I need His help I am going to get on my knees and say, "Lord my day sucks, I need you!" I think Jesus would want us to be real and honest with him, not fake. There is too much of that in the church now anyway.
Furthermore Paul might say this is all "rubbish" don't ya think?!

[Donna Newton]

I am 62 years old. When my son was a teen and my daughters were pre-teens we were dropping off a letter into a drive by mail box. I drove too close and scraped the car and began usng explectives. My son said, "Good language, Mom." I began to ponder why I resorted to this language. When I asked the Lord why I did it the first thought was, "It gives you a false sense of power." FWIW

[Hesterly Danny]

After reading some of the comments I'm a bit puzzled...so as long as a believer cusses (which i'm hearing what might be a cuss word for you may not be for me... subjective talk) or uses inappropriate language with all the integrity, authenticity, realness, what have you... then their witness to others won't be affected because they're being real. Come on now! I agree that you're not going to find a list of "cuss" words in the Bible, but if using inappropriate language to spread the gospel makes a person culturally relevant then what's the point of being set a part. The bottom line is those who follow Christ are to be different in both word and deed. I'm with you on this Ed. Your post made me think about the words I use to spread the Love of Christ.

[Kevin Leffingwell]

Ephesians 4:29 "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers."
Now, is "screwed" corrupt? Does it edify? Does it impart grace? What does the word "screwed" substitute for. It clearly is a watered down version of the notorious "f" word, which is a vulgar expression of sexual intercourse. So, if "screw" is a synonym of the "f" word, how is this NOT corrupt, how does it impart grace? We are to all tings to the glory of God...did he say "screwed" to the glory of God?
Be careful, those who claim they do not want to "complicate" salvation - Jude 4 mentions turning God's grace into lewdness. Who cares what is acceptable in culture - our culture drinks down wickedness like it is nectar. Quit looking to culture and look to Scripture.

[Aaron]

Look I'm a Student Pastor. I have been a pastor for about 10yrs. I say some of the words Pastor Young said in my message to my students. I have to say it checked me and I need to confess th them, like I did to God, that it is not right. Thank you Pastor Young for teaching the next generation. And new and young leaders always have an open ear and be open to mentorship from wise leaders. To all be blessed

[Ben Hammond]

I completely agree with Lyle just a few comments below. I firmly believe that, for the most part, the only people who would really be offended by a pastor using those words would be other Christians. And the only times that non-Christians would be offended would be because they think that the pastor is being hypocritical, but that wouldn't be because of what the Bible said. It would be because Christians have convinced so many people that they believe it's wrong to use those words, or because many of the older non-Christians grew up learning that they were bad.

Also, I don't think a young pastor who uses those words is intentionally trying to be cool by using those words either. There may be some, but it's wrong to draw broad, sweeping, generalizations.

Paul used harsh language, Isaiah used harsh language, Luther had a foul mouth, and St. Augustine said that the church was a Wore (and followed by saying, "but she is our mother and we need her"). But these don't even make a difference, because many of these words are simply cultural... beyond just trying to be relevant. Trying to push these away is simply trying to freeze the way Christianity was practiced several decades ago/a century ago.

Not saying all words are fine without using your brain, but one of our tasks as Christians is to continuously re-evaluating and re-discerning what "now" fits into what we know is right. The message doesn't change, God doesn't change, but language DOES change. So sometimes we must change the language in order to retain the meaning.

My question: We've got to clean up what?

[Chris]

Put Some Soap In Yo Mouth

Great stuff. I love reading through the comments...especially the ones from those defending their personal perspectives. Isn't the old saying, if you tell a lie long enough it becomes truth? For those old enough to have experienced this, the simple truth is, if you used those words...

Yo momma woulda washed yo mouth out with vinegar or let you taste da soap bar for a few minutes!

As times change or "culture" as some would say, remember that as society progresses there is often more of a digressive movement away from the biblical moral standard. So next time you spit out some verbage remember to think about that soap bar.

Good words Pastor

[Kathleen Henriques-Brown]

None of those words offended me, which leads me to wonder is it about what's culturally acceptable? Then again there are words that I think are universally considered as filthy language, such as the f-word, which in some settings (eg amongst non-Christians at a bar for instance) would be culturally acceptable in that setting, yet I would be offended. So maybe to validate the use of words according to whether it's culturally acceptable or not doesn't work, hmm... I think you would just need to be authentic in how you express yourself, but wise in recognizing your effect on your listening audience.

What I would find offensive would be preaching which uses words to suppress believers into a life of legalism instead of the liberty of Jesus Christ; that uses words which are not life giving; or through much vain words bamboozles the naive to believe salvation is much more complex than it really is, adding hurdles for them to overcome in order to attain levels of righteousness - that would offend me.