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We have wayyyyyyyyyyy too many ‘cussing’ Christians!

Our words are so powerful. Their ability to influence and shape our world is confirmed in the word of God.

Proverbs 11:9 (NKJV)

⁹ The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor,
But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.

Proverbs 15:1 (NKJV)

15 A soft answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 16:24 (NKJV)

²⁴ Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.

Mark 11:23 NKJV
For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, “Be removed and be cast into the sea,” and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 

And, just as much as they have the power to influence, our words also reveal what’s inside of us…

Matthew 12:34 (NKJV)

³⁴ Brood^[a] of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

It’s even with our words that we acknowledge and accept God’s gift of salvation…

Romans 10:10 (NKJV)

For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

So, God holds those who believe in Him through His Son and our Savior Yeshua (Jesus Christ) accountable for each and everyone of our words…

His expectations of us are very high…

Matthew 12:36  (NKJV)

But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.

Ephesians 4:29 NIV
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.

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That’s why it’s catastrophic when Christians curse, cuss, insult, use vulgar, profane or unclean language!

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Too many times, you can’t tell the difference in those in the Body of Christ and those who aren’t by how they talk.

Too many times, Christians choose to express their emotions through words that are displeasing to God.

Too many times, Christians use insults when they disagree.

Too many times, Disciples of Christ allow coaches and those in authority to ‘curse’ their children.

I’ve seen too many of our leaders curse in public and those who call themselves Christians cheer, celebrate and find reasons to justify it.

Too many times people who claim to represent God equate cursing to ‘strong words’ or assertiveness.

What does God consider unclean words?

James 3:10  (NKJV)

¹⁰ Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.

What does God consider ‘cursing’?

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KJV Dictionary Definition: damn

damn

DAMN, v.t.

1. To sentence to eternal torments in a future state; to punish in hell.

2. To condemn; to decide to be wrong or worthy of punishment; to censure; to reprobate.

He that doubteth is damned if he eat. Rom xiv

3. To condemn; to explode; to decide to be bad, mean, or displeasing, be hissing or any mark of disapprobation; as, to damn a play, or a mean author.

4. A word used in profaneness; a term of execration.

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Our words can either bless or curse. Our words can either encourage or discourage. Our words can either breathe life into a room…or suck it out!

Words can totally destroy or testimony and credibility as a Christian.

When you curse someone, it isn’t ‘harmless’.

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YOU ARE RELEASING SOMETHING…

YOU ARE GIVING SOMETHING…

When you say, “God bless you!”…You’re giving a BLESSING!

When you say, “Damn you!” or “I’ll be damned!”, or even “Go to hell!”…YOU’RE GIVING A CURSE!

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God never expects Christians to give a damn!

BE BLESSTIFIED!

People who love one another don’t always see eye to eye. There are times that those closest to you won’t agree with you, what you are doing, the way you think, you decisions or your ambitions, goals and vision.

There may even be seasons when those who are in your inner-circle will seem to turn against you. Their comments and actions may be out-right mean, vicious, and humiliating. They may make you feel totally alone. Sometimes it’s you who makes someone closest to you feel you are turning on them.

What do we do when this happens? Look at what David did before he became king…

1 Samuel 30:1-6 (NKJV)

Now it happened, when David and his men came to Ziklag, on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the South and Ziklag, attacked Ziklag and burned it with fire, ² and had taken captive the women and those who were there, from small to great; they did not kill anyone, but carried them away and went their way. ³ So David and his men came to the city, and there it was, burned with fire; and their wives, their sons, and their daughters had been taken captive. ⁴ Then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep. ⁵ And David’s two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite, had been taken captive. ⁶ Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was ^[a]grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.

David’s men, who had proven to be loyal to him, were so distraught over their families being kidnapped that they talked among themselves about killing him. As you know this happened to Moses more than once.

David was understandably very distressed and felt totally alone. Questioning himself… Blaming himself… Disturbed about the welfare of his family as well.

But what did he do?

“BUT DAVID STRENGTHENED HIMSELF IN THE LORD GOD.”

After comforting himself and inquiring of God, David and his men went has rescued their families and not one person was lost.

Even though those closest to us may not want to stone us to death, they can resist us and say and do things that hurt us to our very souls. What do we do when that happens?

Here are a few suggestions…

1. ENCOURAGE YOURSELF IN THE WORD OF GOD…

This account of King David is only one of many in the Bible of when those who were chosen by God received resistance from those closest to them. Read the Bible with fresh eyes noticing how many times the children of Israel turned on Moses in the wilderness. Notice how instead of comforting him, Job’s wife told him to curse God and die. Notice how David’s wife despised him for his public act of praise over he return of the Ark of the Covenant. Take note of the fact the Yeshua’s (Jesus) half brothers did not believe in Him before He went to the cross, and sarcastically berated Him…

John 7:4-5 (NKJV)

⁴ For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.” ⁵ For even His brothers did not believe in Him.

2. BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF ABOUT IN TRUTH THEY MAY HAVE SAID ABOUT YOU…

Even though it hurt, sometimes some of what your ‘rebellious’ loved ones says may be true. God may be using them to give you some painful truth about yourself that you may have not recognized or accepted. God may be using them to help you make necessary changes to fulfill His purpose for your life. Sometimes God uses those close to us to show us His ‘tough love;.

3. PRAY AND ASK GOD TO FORGIVE THEM FOR ANY THING THEY SAID OR DID TO HURT YOU…

Sometimes your loved one’s can say and do some things in their ‘flesh’ and in their anger that you can allow to become a wall in your relationships. They can say and do some things so painful that you can begin to hold grudges. You must ask God to forgive them for their harsh comments and actions even if they haven’t yes asked for forgiveness. Remember, God forgives us based on how we forgive those who have sinned against us. And, as stated above, God could’ve been using them to hold us accountable. YOU CAN FORGIVE ANYTHING…TODAY! #FORGIVENESS

HOW TO MOVE FORWARD WITHOUT AN APOLOGY ( 8 TIPS)…

4. ADJUST YOUR THINKING, ATTITUDE, VISION, GOALS, PATH, STRATEGY, TACTICS BASED ON WHAT YOU LEARNED…

After consulting God’s word and considering what those close to you said or did, be honest with yourself and make the necessary adjustments. Does your attitude need changing? Are there changes you need to make in how you think or do things? Have you been listening to God and praying before you act, or going out on your own? Have you prioritizing your will or someone else’s will over God’s will? Learn and grow through the painful experience.

5. MAKE SURE YOU AREN’T THE ANTAGONIST IN SOMEONE’S LIFE…

Remember when Jesus told Peter, “Get behind me Satan?” (Matthew 16:23). Peter meant no harm, but at that time the enemy was using him against Jesus. One of the enemy’s favorite strategies is using loved ones against one another. Make sure that the enemy isn’t using you against someone close to you in your life.

WHEN THE DEVIL USES US AGAINST OUR LOVED ONES…

There will always be ‘dark’ seasons in our relationships. But when those seasons arise, we have the responsibility to be the LIGHT. It isn’t always easy, but it is possible.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

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