During my life as a Christian, I’ve found out that sometimes when Christians don’t like something, they call it a sin. I’m sure everyone has heard that Christians don’t drink, because consuming alcohol is a sin. Well, the Bible definitely doesn’t condone getting drunk: “... nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:10, NKJV.) However, in some cases, alcohol is not a horrible thing that will send you straight to hell: “No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.” (1 Timothy 5:23, NKJV.) Not only is it not a sin to consume alcohol, but Paul actually told Timothy to drink it for health purposes. It becomes sin when you become a drunk.
Christians will also tell you that cussing is a sin. They’ll most likely reference Colossians 3:8, “But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.” (NKJV.) If those same people read the King James Version of the Bible, they’ll find seventy-six verses containing the word “ass,” not including those that contain the plural form of the word.
Just like the drinking issue, I’m not saying it’s ok to go curse out everyone you know... I’m saying that “filthy language” doesn’t necessarily mean “the top 10 cuss words,” some of which have legitimate, non-filthy meanings and are used in the Bible. It could mean making a dirty joke, or saying something hateful about someone. I mean, what do you think sounds more “filthy”? “Thou shalt not plow with an ox and an ass together,” (Deuteronomy 22:10, KJV) or, “I hate you and wish you would die a slow and painful death!” Again, I’m not saying you should go swear now- “cuss words” usually aren’t used constructively or in the correct context, and they usually offend people. But you don’t have to think it’s a sin to say words like “damn” or “hell” in the proper context.
Things like drinking and cussing are what I like to call “social sins.” They’re socially unacceptable in most Christian environments, so they’re labelled as “sins.” People become so afraid of alcohol that they won’t even drink it for health purposes. People become so afraid of saying a “cuss word” that they feel bad for reading aloud from the King James Bible, or they abruptly pause before awkwardly saying, “um... uh... donkey.”
Unfortunately, there’s another type of “social sins.” These are things that the Bible says not to do, but many Christians do them anyway because they’re socially acceptable.
I think the best example of this can be found in Exodus 20:7, “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.” According to the dictionary on my computer (I don’t feel like getting out my “real” dictionary, sorry), to take someone’s name in vain means to use that name in a way that shows a lack of respect; irreverently, casually, disrespectfully, or flippantly. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think that using God’s name as an interjection would definitely qualify as irreverent or casual. Yet, even at church, where you can’t say “cuss words,” I hear people say, “Oh my G*d!” like it’s nothing. FYI: That’s actually a sin. It’s one of the ten commandments.
Do yourself a favor and don’t get caught up in the rules of “social sins.” Follow the example of the Bereans: “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” (Acts 17:11, NKJV.) If you want the truth, read the Bible- it’s all in there.
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