Answering Blasphemers

Throughout my lifetime (and especially when I was a kid), I've heard numerous wisecracks involving my last name. People have called me “Post Office”, “Post Toasties”, “Post Raisin Bran”, and “Post Nasal Drip.” A few years ago while ending a phone conversation with my mother, I told her I would keep her “posted.” She sarcastically replied, “Don’t take our name in vain.” 

On a more serious note, punishment awaits sinners who break the third commandment. Both Exodus 20:7 and Deuteronomy 5:11 says, “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.” Even though I frequently used profanity before becoming a Christian, I still had a fear of God to where I avoided blaspheming. 

People wouldn't think of using their mother’s name as a swear word. I've yet to hear anyone holler “Buddha” or the name of some other religious figure if they hit their thumb with a hammer, stubbed their toe or got upset about something. Yet many Hollywood actors habitually say the name of Jesus irreverently. Can you imagine the resulting uproar from Muslims if Mohammed’s name was blasphemed on TV or the silver screen? 

A popular acronym used nowadays for online chatting and texting is “omg”, which often stands for “Oh My God” (although some people claim it also stands for “Oh my goodness” or “Oh my gosh”). Do you use this phrase without sincerely calling upon the Lord? Regardless of what you call Him, irreverence to God’s name has serious consequences unless one repents. 

One friend told me when she hears someone utter “g-ddamn”; she fires back, “God’s last name is not damn!” Whenever I hear someone blaspheme, I prefer to respond in a way that gives the offender an opportunity to get right with God. One time when I boarded a train for a trip to North Dakota, a woman sitting next to me blurted out, “Jesus Christ!” I turned to her and said, “Oh...you know the Lord, too?” She gave me a strange look and didn't say much after that. I’m sure it gave her something to think about. Another friend of mine heard a great reply she sometimes uses when hearing Jesus’ name taken in vain: "Yep! That's the one who saved me!" 

Regardless of Satan’s efforts to discredit the Lord’s name, he still has to bow down whenever a Christian speaks the name of Jesus with boldness. One popular worship song features these lyrics… 

One day every tongue will confess you are God 
One day every knee will bow 
Still the greatest treasure remains for those who gladly choose you now 

How do you respond when you hear the Lord’s name? 

 "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” - Philippians 2:10-11

Swearing to God

Last week I glanced through a photo album one of my Facebook friends posted and was surprised to see this drawing with the caption “Big F***ing Diamond” (I purposely blotted out three of the letters).  Immediately, I thought of Ephesians 4:29, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”

Since my friend is an “on fire for God” believer, I sent her an email asking why she posted this pic. In her response, she apologized if it affected me negatively but then went on to explain this drawing (which she found at an art gallery) represented how she felt “…as an awesome princess and bride of Christ and that I am married to the King of Bling!” I don’t doubt the sincerity of my friend’s love for the Lord. What I question is how some Christians think using profanity glorifies Jesus.

It’s one thing if an unbeliever uses foul language. That’s part of the nature of fallen man. Yet there have been times when I ministered to unsaved people who apologized if a curse word slipped out of their mouths. They were obviously feeling conviction by the Holy Spirit.

Vulgar language should have no part in a believer’s vocabulary. Ephesians 5:4 in the Amplified Bible says, “Let there be no filthiness (obscenity, indecency) nor foolish and sinful (silly and corrupt) talk, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting or becoming; but instead voice your thankfulness [to God].”

Sadly, some Christians get really defensive when asked to watch their mouths. I was once married to a woman who regularly uttered the s-word for feces. When I politely asked her not to use that word around me, she always snapped back, “It’s in the Bible.” 2 Kings 6:25 does mention “dove droppings.” Ezekiel 4:15 makes reference to “cow dung” and “human waste.” Other translations of this verse use the words “manure” or “excrement.” But I’m not aware of any English translation that has the word “s**t.”

I’ve even heard Christians justify casual usage of the word “hell” because it’s in the Bible. In the New King James Version, “hell” is used 32 times but never as an interjection. Over the years, Satan has influenced individuals to use it as a swear word to minimize the reality of that awful place non-believers will spend eternity unless they become born again.

Here are a few more Scriptures to consider...

“But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.” - Matthew 12:36

“But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.” - Colossians 3:8

“In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you." - Titus 2:7-8

God holds His people to a higher standard when it comes to the use of our words.

“Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.” - Matthew 15:11