What Makes Bad Language Bad?

I have long wondered that very question, probably since junior high or something. What makes a curse word a curse word? After all, it's just a word. Is it the Bible that makes it that? Is it culture or our society? I've actually deliberated with people on this very issue, not the least of which was my dad on numerous occasions.

But what makes a bad word a bad word? When I first started thinking about this idea, it was mainly to try to figure out if it was okay to say curse words, then I could be "cool" and curse around my non-believing friends, or even in some instances, my believing friends. It was actually pretty dumb; I was just trying to justify my motives. But after doing some research, and learning that at different times in history, different words/sayings were considering curse words, I came to the conclusion that our society and culture dictate what are considered curse words.

For example, around the life time of John Bunyan (17th Century), if anyone was to swear by any of the saints, it was considered cursing, i.e. 'By St. Mary', or 'By St. Nicholas beard', etc. A person would be using their name in vain, and it was EXTREMELY offensive to those who were religious. Of course, to me today, it just looks like a prepositional phrase. Nothing offensive about it. And quite possibly our curse words in contemporary society would be as nothing to those that lived in the 17th Century. So I came to this conclusion sometime in college that my society and culture decide what is a bad word. And since it has been decided that the 'S' word is bad, then as a believer who strives to glorify God with my life, I will refrain from saying that word because I want to avoid all appearance of evil. I do not want to cause a weaker brother to stumble, and so on and so forth. And I could state several other reasons from scripture why I as a Christian, would not say something that the world understands as unholy.

So after coming to this conclusion awhile back, and being somewhat satisfied with it, I recently came across an awesome video that I think does this topic justice, and finally settled the issue of it in my heart.

The reason that I decided to write this blog on this issue, is mostly because I have often often often struggled with cursing/swearing in the workplace. Meaning, I am continually tempted to swear to fit in with the Marines I work with. And I tell myself, no, I am a testimony to God and that is not the image that I want to portray. Then, my flesh gets on me, and tells me that it's ok to swear, because after all, they are just words. So I get tempted externally AND internally and it's quite the struggle sometimes. Obviously, God is gracious. And He does not allow me to be tempted above that I am able, and I praise Him for that. But this video was so awesome for me to see, and an encouragement to me, that I figured I would share it on my blog, as well as my background ponderings on the issue.