I HATE this T-Shirt!
“I love Jesus but I cuss a little” – first of all, if this was the case for a certain Christ follower, you would never be proud of such a thing, and much less, wear a Tee about it!
But, also, there is more to it. Cussing is cursing. The apostle Paul says A LOT concerning what comes out of our mouths in his letter to the Ephesians:
“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” Eph. 4:29
“and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.” Eph. 5:4
The Apostle is teaching us on how we as Jesus-lovers should walk… and talk! The Word of God here is instructing us to use our speech for good and not for bad.
Scripture actually goes deeper into the subject of “bad-words” not simply just leaving it as a “not that big of a deal” situation. As a matter of fact, we see that it is a pretty BIG deal by the way Jesus uncovers where the act of cussing comes from:
“The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.” Luke 6:45
Jesus reveals that cussing comes from the heart – evil treasure” he says. The source of our temptation, sin and failure sometimes lies deep within ourselves. And, it’s from this collection of “bad” in our hearts that keep us from growing and maturing in Christ, enjoying the righteousness of God, and keep us feeling guilt, shame and spiritual worthlessness. And as we fail, we continue a spiral of feeling defeated and without victory.
So what can we do? Do we just continue down the road, ignoring the danger signs? Do we just throw in the towel and give up?
No.
We repent. We give it to God. We allow Him full access to that storage space of filth. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
And do you know what he does when we open that basement that we’ve kept, and His holy eyes look upon the hidden things that brings us such terrible shame?? He embraces us. He holds us ever so tightly close in his mercy and grace. And in that sweet embrace we find what we’ve been longing and searching for the entire time – good treasure.
Once we’ve rubbed our eyes and snorted back the run from our nose… He grabs us by the shoulders and looks deep into our own eyes, and delivers His words, “I paid the price to have this. I bought it all on the cross. I purchased you… with my own blood, to hold you as my possession. I redeemed your good and your bad. And that same blood that was the price also purifies you from all sin. You are mine, and I love you.”
Friends, Jesus loves you. Give it all to him.
“Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.” 1 Cor 6:11
-Pastor Dave
Amarillo For Christ Church 