IMO IMO IMO IMO IMO
Here's the way I see it:
Cussing and cursing are not the same thing, though they are often used interchangeably.
To cuss is to use expletives - words to accentuate your speech (like added spices to food).
Cussing is otherwise benign, and has synonyms that are generally acceptable.
Webster says to curse is to say "a prayer or invocation for harm or injury to come upon one."
The scriptures say "bless and do not curse" and "abstain from filthy language."
Now let's define "filthy language."
Since scripture says it, and since scripture is inspired, then it is God talking.
What is filthy to God?
Sin.
Since language conveys thoughts, filthy thoughts are sinful thoughts.
Therefore, filthy language conveys sinful thoughts - language that promotes sin.
Cussing alone does not promote sin.
To curse is sin.
To use filthy language is sin.
Cussing is
not a sin.
Examples of filthy language: men talking about how many women in their office they would like to "do"; slanderous gossip (since slander is lies that hurt people); a person talking about taking revenge on someone else; a group of teens talking about their plans to cheat on a test or steal something; morally corrupt jokes; complaining.
Examples of cursing: "Go to Hell!"; "Damn you!"; "I hope you drop dead!"; "God will take care of you!"; "You may not believe in hell now, but you will when you get there!"; pronouncing (or wishing) ill will toward another.
Examples of benign cussing: You hit your thumb with a hammer and say "Damn!"; you get startled when your dog jumps on you and say "Oh, crap!"; you are suprised at how hot the weather is and say "It's hot as hell out there!" (How, pray tell, did these words ever become "dirty"? Take heed not to subscribe to Pharisee-rules and call them God's precepts!)
That's the way I see it.
IMO IMO IMO IMO IMO
