CURSING
OF PARENTS
Exodus 21:17 KJV And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.
Matthew 15:4 KJV For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.
Mark 7:10 KJV For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:
SHIMEI CURSED DAVID
2 Samuel 16:5 KJV And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came.
THE PRECEPTS (LAWS) OF JESUS CONCERNING CURSING
Matthew 5:44-47 KJV But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
Luke 6:27-29 KJV But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, 28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. 29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.
ANATHEMA MARAN-ATHA
1 Corinthians 16:22 KJV If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.
WHAT DO THE INSPIRED SCRIPTURES SAY?
Cursing, swearing, profanity are certainly a sin according to the inspired Scriptures, no matter what a society says or accepts. The inspired apostle Paul tells us to “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” (Ephesians 4:29 KJV).
We are again warned by Paul in Colossians 3:8 KJV “But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.” In the Greek language, the phrase, “filthy communication” means foul speaking, low and obscene speech.
In his letter, James declares that cursing should not come out of our mouth (James 3:10-12 KJV). He admonishes us further (James 4:11, 12 KJV), not so much as to speak evil of another brother. For example, in Matthew 26:33 Peter assured the Lord “Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.” Yet, just a few short hours later, this same apostle “denied with an oath” that he even knew Jesus (Matthew 26:72 KJV). The inspired record says that he even began to “curse and to swear”, reinforcing his denials of Jesus (Matthew 26:74 KJV). If the best of men were guilty of occasional lapses with regard to cursing and swearing, we must be constantly on guard that we do not sin even more grievously.
CONCLUSION
In Colossians 4:6 KJV, the apostle Paul tells us to, “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” Our speech should contain wholesome, pure, kind, and beneficial words. Words that encourage and build up a person, instead of tearing them down (Prov. 16:23; Prov. 25:11; cf. 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 1 Thess. 5:8- KJV).
———————————————-
EUPHAMISMS
Euphemisms are substitutes for crude, hurtful, or otherwise offensive expressions. … Because the purpose of euphemism is to disguise semantics and avoid saying what is meant, it has been called “the language of evasion, hypocrisy, prudery, and deceit,” (Holder 2008)
What is a euphemism?
Webster’s Dictionary has this definition of euphemism: “The use of a less direct word or phrase for one considered offensive.”
Some examples of English euphemisms include “powder your nose” for go to the toilet, “negative cash flow” for broke, and “passed away” for died.
Examples of euphemisms in the Bible
The King James Version says King Saul went into a cave “to cover his feet” (1 Samuel 24:3). This is a euphemism for sleep or, how shall we say it, to powder his nose? The New King James Version says “attend to his needs,” which you could say is another English euphemism for defecation (go to the toilet). If we read the rest of that account, (1 Samuel 24:4-14 KJV), we will see that King Saul must have slept after his original intent.
4 And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the Lord saiad unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul’s robe privily. 5 And it came to pass afterward, that David’s heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul’s skirt. 6 And he said unto his men, The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord. 7 So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way. 8 David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself. 9 And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men’s words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt? 10 Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the Lord had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the Lord’s anointed. 11 Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it. 12 The Lord judge between me and thee, and the Lord avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee. 13 As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee. 14 After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea. KJV
Many times the Bible describes someone who died as being asleep. For example, Jesus told His disciples, John 11:11-14 KJV “These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. 12 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. 13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. 14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.” KJV Since they misunderstood, He had to tell them plainly, “Lazarus is dead” (verse 14). Though sleep is a euphemism for death, we also learn that from God’s perspective, death is like sleep since the dead person is unconscious and God has the power to wake the dead through the resurrection from the dead.
Types of euphemisms
Some euphemisms are considered polite. Some are funny. But some can just be a way to try to say something considered wrong or offensive without being punished.
Alternative swear words, while seeming less offensive or even funny, can still, at their heart, be profanity, swearing or taking God’s name in vain.
Christians and euphemisms
There are many categories of euphemisms, but the two Christians are most concerned with are those that violate the Third Commandment and those that ask God to condemn others. Unfortunately, many who claim to be Christian unknowingly use these types of euphemisms that disobey His instructions.
Euphemisms misusing God’s name
The Third Commandment states, “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.” (Exodus 20:7 KJV; “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.” Deuteronomy 5:11 KJV).
“In vain” literally means to use God’s name in an empty or trifling way, without appropriate reverence for God.
In our modern world we hear this commandment violated overtly and frequently all around us, with “God,” “Jesus,” “Christ” or “Lord” uttered merely as filler words, exclamations, expressions of anger or contempt or in conjunction with cursing or profanity. One of the most common abuses of the name of God is the phrase “oh my …!,” which has become so commonplace it now has its own abbreviation (OMG) for text messaging.
In addition to blatantly saying God’s names, there are euphemisms that have modified the same names into less explicit or softened forms; but because they are merely modifications of God’s name(s), they likewise are violations of the intent of the Third Commandment.
The euphemism list below is provided to help you identify common euphemisms for God’s name, in order to avoid inadvertently making irreverent references to God’s holy name. (You can find more information in many dictionaries that include slang words and euphemisms.)
Partial Euphemism list
| Direct Word | Euphemisms |
| God | Gol, Golly, Gosh, Gad, ye gad/s, by George, by Jove, Almighty |
| Jesus or Christ | Geez, Gee, Sheez, Gee-wiz (Jesus-wizard), cripes (Christ), Jeepers, by Jingo, Jeezers, bejeezers (by Jesus) |
| initials of Jesus Christ | Jiminy Cricket, Jiminy Christmas, Jumpin’ Catfish, Jeepers Creepers, Jeezy Creezy, Judas Christopher, Jason Crisp, etc. |
| Lord | Lordy, Lawd, Lawdy |
| Holy | Holy is a word that refers to God’s nature, works or anything God is present or involved in. Any use of this word in conjunction with any other word (outside of its correct and proper context) is a violation of the Third Commandment. |
Euphemisms for eternal judgment
Another category of euphemisms that is inappropriate for Christians to use is those asking God to condemn (“damn”) a person or thing. Euphemisms for condemn include darn, durn, dang, doggone (a euphemism for both the words “God” and “damn”) and any other combination of these words with euphemisms for God.
Are the words we speak important to God? Jesus Christ said, “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the Day of Judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:36-37).While the Bible teaches that Christians should learn to discern good from evil (Hebrews 5:14), it also teaches that we should not condemn others in the sense of trying to determine their ultimate fate. God the Father has given the judgment of mankind to the Son (John 5:22; 2 Corinthians 5:10), and it is His prerogative to judge—not ours.
Referring to this ultimate judgment, Jesus said: “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven” (Luke 6:37).
Jesus also cautions us: “For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you” (Matthew 7:2) and “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7).
Every idle word
Are the words we speak important to God? Jesus Christ said, “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.” (Matthew 12:36-37 – KJV).
Euphemisms that were coined to utter God’s name without proper reverence or to judge another’s ultimate fate are inappropriate for a Christian. “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.” (Ephesians 4:29 – KJV). As lights in a dark world, we are to set the example not only in our conduct, but in pure speech as well.
Is it wrong to “swear to God”?
Jesus made it clear that God does not expect or want us to swear by anything, but rather, to be truthful in all our dealings, developing a reputation of trustworthiness. To that end, Christians shouldn’t emphasize the truth of their statements by saying “I swear to God,” but rather by letting their “‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’” and their “‘No,’ ‘No’” (Matthew 5:37 – KJV).
This Third Commandment is recorded in Exodus 20:7: “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.” This is repeated in Deuteronomy 5:11.
To not take God’s name in vain means to not take it lightly and to never use God’s holy name as a thoughtless, hateful curse! This is perhaps the most common and lightly treated sin today, as profanity is splashed all over our music, television shows and movies. But God tells us to stop using blasphemy and filthy language and to bless rather than curse.
The apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Colosse, “But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.” (Colossians 3:8 – KJV). He also gave this instruction to the church in Rome, “Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.” (Romans 12:14 – KJV).
Another common form of taking God’s name lightly or thoughtlessly is using euphemisms for (or in place of) His name.
Reverencing God and representing Him properly
Instead of using His name in vain with profanity, we are to reverence God and represent His name well.
Jesus Christ called on His followers to set the right example so people would glorify God’s name. “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16 – KJV).
Jesus told us that God’s name should be “hallowed” in our prayers. In contrast, Paul warned that our wrong actions could defame God’s name: “Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? 24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.” (Romans 2:24 – KJV), alluding to Old Testament passages such as Isaiah 52:5 and Ezekiel 36:22).
Jesus warned about claiming God’s name but not actually obeying Him:
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:21-23).
He also cried out against the hypocrisy of those whose words were good but whose hearts and actions told a much different story:
“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” (Matthew 15:8-9 KJV).
So even respectful words can be used in vain by those whose lives show disrespect for God’s ways.
Prayers and praise, not profanity
- Jesus told us that God’s name should be “hallowed” in our prayers (Matthew 6:9).
- The book of Psalms and many other parts of the Bible give examples of the praise and honor that are due God’s name. Here are just a few:
- “O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. KJV” (Psalm 8:1).
- “Give unto the LORD, O you mighty ones, give unto the LORD glory and strength. Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty, give unto the Lord glory and strength. 2 Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. KJV” (Psalm 29:1-2).
- “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s. KJV” (Psalm 103:1-5).
- “Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: 21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: 22. He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. KJV” (Daniel 2:20-22).
- “…. My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. KJV” (Luke 1:46-47).
- “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. KJV” (Revelation 4:11).
Magnify God’s name
Psalm 34:3 says, “Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.”
This is just one of six times in the Psalms and seven other places in the Bible we are told to magnify God, or where the words magnified or magnifies are used about God’s name. But what does that really mean? How can we do that?
Have you ever wondered what it means for us, mortal, weak human beings, to magnify God’s name? To glorify Him and to bless His name? We glorify God our Creator when we do what he tells us to do.
ONE Jew thought he was not under God’s laws. Romans 2:21-24 21 “Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? 22 Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? 23 Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? 24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.”
Psalms 107:8-9 – same point in verses 15, 21 and 31
“Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 9 For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.”
Psalms 136:1 – “O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” THEN HE LISTS 25 events that show his kindness to men.
Psalms 50:14-15 – “Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: 15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.”
Psalms 116:16-17 –
16 O Lord, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds. 17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord.
Praying in Jesus’ name
It is amazing that Jesus Christ gives His followers the awesome privilege to pray using His name! “If you ask anything in my name (with his authority), I will do it” (John 14:14).
We must not misuse this privilege; it is not like magic or a genie in a bottle. We are only to ask according to His will, not selfishly.
As the apostle John wrote, “Now this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of him” (1 John 5:14-15).
Instead of using profanity, we are to “do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Col. 3:17).
To study more about respectfully using God’s name in prayer, study about prayer.
Swear not at all
In His magnification of the spiritual intent of God’s law in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus set the standard for Christians. Christians should not swear; their every statement should be as truthful and sure as if they had taken an oath.
“Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: 34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: 35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King 36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. 37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” (Matthew 5:33-37 – KJV).
James reiterated this teaching in his letter: “But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.” (James 5:12 – KJV).
The power of God’s name
God’s name represents the Almighty Creator God, and there is power in His holy name. After Jesus sent out 70 disciples, “And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.” (Luke 10:17 – KJV).
Looking at the downward spiral of this evil world, the prophet Isaiah called out for God to reveal Himself in power: “As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence!” (Isaiah 64:2 – KJV).
Daniel also prayed for God to intervene powerfully:“O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.” (Daniel 9:19 – KJV).
Those called by God’s name have the tremendous responsibility to represent his name properly, but they also have the awesome blessing of God’s care for those who are his.
In the end when God’s power is poured out and he intervenes to save humanity from self-destruction, the angels will sing this prophetic song: “And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. 4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.” (Rev. 15:3-4 – KJV).
Then all people will know and glorify God’s name!
Beth Johnson