My co-workers sort of quiet the cussing down when they see me. I appreciate the respect but it shouldn’t just be because Ms. Praise is in the room. I recently read an article in Careerbuilder.com that said, “64% of employers say they’d think less of an employee who repeatedly uses curse words, and 57% of employers say they’d be less likely to promote someone who swears in the office.” The article went on to say that “51% report that they swear in the office. Ninety-five percent of those workers say they do so in front of their co-workers, and 51% swear in front of the boss.”
That’s a lot of cussing! So, that got me thinking… What does God think about Christians who cuss?
Let me stop right here and say I’ve had my Peter Moments and have come along way in the faith with this one. Oh, what’s a Peter Moment? Peter was one of the 12 Apostles who by all accounts was a knife wielding potty mouth who: caught fish before confessing Jesus as the Messiah, walked on water, cut off the ear of a servant while Jesus was being arrested and denied Christ by cursing at those who said he spoke like the Jesus crew. (Matthew 26:47-75, Mark 14:43-72, Luke 22:47-71, John 18:1-27)
But guess what? Jesus loved Peter, despite knowing he may have been a bit ADD. Jesus loved Peter so much that John 21:7 says, “Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter…” Loved him so much that he forgave and restored him despite his faults. And with all that… Peter preached on the day of Pentecost!
So back to the original question, What does God think about Christians who cuss? I suppose like employers who deal with cussing employees, He could think less of us. Perhaps Christian cussers will be less likely to experience favor (promotion) from God. But I mostly believe God wants to love us. Love us and restore us despite our faults. But we’ve gotta do our part. That means working out those habits that aren’t helpful to our home life, work life and above all else, our spiritual life.
I’ve been on a mission every since I revisited James 3:10, “Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.” It’s just not a good look anyway it goes.
[…] while back I wrote an article on my personal website called “Cussin’ Christians“. I brought up the fact that the Apostle Peter was a bit on the foul-mouthed side, but God […]