I need scripture to answer a question presented to me , who decides which words are bad words and how do they decide, is it just somebody's opinion or is it scripture?
Betty, there are a couple of Scriptures that I know of, that direct a Christian's manner of speaking:
Ephesians 4:29, "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." Even though 'corrupt communication' could be perceived to be too general, in Greek it actually refers to 'rotten, worthless, useless, depraved'. I would think that using swear/bad words would fall under this meaning as speech that has no value in it that rather places the person in a baser standing. You could look at Ephesians 5:4 as well, for a similar warning which includes foolish talking & jesting. I would think 'jesting' here is not just humour but with lewdness sprinkled within.
But to answer your question: "who decides which words are bad words and how do they decide, is it just somebody's opinion or is it scripture?" I think the criteria for that would be the source or history of the word used, its meaning & its manner of presentation, both in verbal expression & context. I certainly don't know the history of those words, nor do I wish to, but every now & then something comes up. For example, what some consider a 'mild bad word' such as the extended use of the word 'blood', has its origins in either the Cross or a woman's monthly cycle. But there are other words, such as used in the Bible for 'an illegitimate person' ( Hebrews 12:8), which in itself is an appropriate English word, but when used today and against a person in an angry tone, amounts to swearing. I think you get what I'm saying without the need for further examples!
But Colossians 4:6 says it well: "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man." I feel that this is the criterion we need to abide by: how do our words or manner of speaking affect the one hearing us - is it gentle, encouraging, uplifting, informative or 'spiced' up & devaluing us & our message?
Ephesians 4:29, "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." Even though 'corrupt communication' could be perceived to be too general, in Greek it actually refers to 'rotten, worthless, useless, depraved'. I would think that using swear/bad words would fall under this meaning as speech that has no value in it that rather places the person in a baser standing. You could look at Ephesians 5:4 as well, for a similar warning which includes foolish talking & jesting. I would think 'jesting' here is not just humour but with lewdness sprinkled within.
But to answer your question: "who decides which words are bad words and how do they decide, is it just somebody's opinion or is it scripture?" I think the criteria for that would be the source or history of the word used, its meaning & its manner of presentation, both in verbal expression & context. I certainly don't know the history of those words, nor do I wish to, but every now & then something comes up. For example, what some consider a 'mild bad word' such as the extended use of the word 'blood', has its origins in either the Cross or a woman's monthly cycle. But there are other words, such as used in the Bible for 'an illegitimate person' ( Hebrews 12:8), which in itself is an appropriate English word, but when used today and against a person in an angry tone, amounts to swearing. I think you get what I'm saying without the need for further examples!
But Colossians 4:6 says it well: "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man." I feel that this is the criterion we need to abide by: how do our words or manner of speaking affect the one hearing us - is it gentle, encouraging, uplifting, informative or 'spiced' up & devaluing us & our message?
This comment thread is locked. Please enter a new comment below to start a new comment thread.
Note: Comment threads older than 2 months are automatically locked.
Do you have a Bible comment or question?
Please Sign In or Register to post comments...
Report Comment
Which best represents the problem with the comment?