I just have to say, that I am sick and tired of hearing "Christians" say that it is "okay" for them to cuss- that there is absolutely nothing wrong with cussing. I have heard this a lot around the blog-o-sphere lately, and well, quite frankly, I think it's disgusting. I have even heard this from the lips of supposed "ministers"- can you believe it? Ministers, who use offensive, disgusting cuss words.

It is true, that certain words mean different things within different cultures, and that what is considered an offensive cuss word here is not considered offensive in another culture, and vice-versa. That is an age-old argument that I have heard used time and time again by "Christians" to justify their gutter-talk. But the people I am talking about live in America and, NEWS FLASH!!, cuss words are STILL cuss words here. They are still disgusting and offensive to many people.

This attitude of trying to justify cussing is counter-productive and destructive in the life of a believer, and especially in the life of a minister. It is a breading ground for nominalism both within your personal life, and within your church. What makes followers of Christ any different than the world if the world can't see a difference in the way that we talk and live? I know too many people who have been turned off to the church because of Christians who live the same way that they do.

Ephesians 4:29 says, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." That pretty much eliminates profanity or any other words you or someone else might think are "unwholesome."

Philippians 4:8 says "Finally, Brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things."

"Let your conversation always be full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you will always know how to answer everyone." Colossians 4:6

The question should not be, "How close to the line can I get?" Rather, the question should always be "How far away from the line can I stay? And how close to God can I get?"

As Christians, we need to remember that we are role models, showing the world Christ through our actions. Let's show them the light and the love of Christ in all that we say and do.