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Cursing is a Sign
There was a 2015 study which concluded that cursing was a sign of intelligence. You can imagine how happy this conclusion made our foul-mouthed friends. While I’m no scientific expert, I have a suspicion that much of the study’s conclusions need to be taken with a huge grain of salt. Was it really shown that smart people swear and by implication those who do not swear are less intelligent? I’m not so sure. What I am sure about, however, is that foul language is not something to boast about even if a study suggests that a person is smarter for using it.
A study of the Bible will lead to some different conclusions. What is not cursing a sign of?
Not cursing is a sign of self-control. “If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well” (Jam. 3:2). The world may boast that they are so smart as to know so many words (many of them creatively foul), but the Christian has chosen instead to be strong enough not to use those words.
Not cursing is a sign of spirituality. “If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless” (Jam. 1:26). A religion that does not impact the way we speak is useless. However, someone who has chosen a purer way of speaking has revealed a more spiritual mindset.
Not cursing is a sign of love. My experience is that the vast majority of swearing is maliciously pointed toward someone else. It is an expression of anger and a calling for someone to be harmed. Cursing reveals malice and disdain. Choosing not to curse, on the other hand, is an act of mercy and love. Jesus refused to revile those who reviled Him (I Pet. 2:23). Of course, Jesus did not stop there. He refrained from cursing, but He also sacrificed Himself. Not cursing is not the ultimate decision of love, but it is a starting place.
Not cursing is a sign of respect. What the world calls cursing, the Bible often refers to as blasphemy. It is an act of speaking against something or someone. Profanity is another term used to describe cursing. This gets us closer to our point. To profane something is to treat it with disrespect. Society has lost all sense of reverence. Nothing is holy or sacred, it seems. “Do they not blaspheme the fair name by which you have been called?” (Jam. 2:7). Yes, and they do not stop there! God, the Bible, the church, and Christians are nothing more than an unholy joke to the world. But not to curse—to choose to avoid profanity—on the other hand, is a sign of respect. It respects God as holy. It respects that your fellow man is created in the image of God (Jam. 3:9).
The world has stood on the back of a dubious study and proclaimed the greater intelligence of those who curse. Is it intelligent to mock God and disobey Him? I think not! It is better to choose language that reveals wisdom, if not intelligence. It is better to have self-control and be spiritual. It is better to be loving and respectful.
“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear” (Eph. 4:29).
