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SPEAK NO EVIL: CAN CHRISTIANS CURSE?
by Pastor Mike Fortune
September 30, 2017
by Pastor Mike Fortune
September 30, 2017
- Peter did (Matthew 26:69-75; Proverbs 26:2)
- But Jesus didn't want him to (Matthew 26:34; Matthew 5:33-37; Matthew 26:40-41; Matthew 26:34)
- The closer you come to Christ, you won't want to either (Proverbs 23:16; Ephesians 4:29-32; James 1:26; James 3:2-12; Exodus 20:7; Stat; Galatians 5:20; Stat; 1 Corinthians 15:33 KJV; Ephesians 5:3-4; Quote; Colossians 4:5-6; Psalm 19:14)
Matthew 26:69-75
69 Meanwhile, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl came over and said to him, "You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean." 70 But Peter denied it in front of everyone. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said. 71 Later, out by the gate, another servant girl noticed him and said to those standing around, "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth." 72 Again Peter denied it, this time with an oath. "I don't even know the man," he said. 73 A little later some of the other bystanders came over to Peter and said, "You must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent." 74 Peter swore, "A curse on me if I'm lying—I don't know the man!" And immediately the rooster crowed. 75 Suddenly, Jesus' words flashed through Peter's mind: "Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me." And he went away, weeping bitterly.
Proverbs 26:2
2 Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse will not land on its intended victim.
Matthew 5:33-37
33 "You have also heard that our ancestors were told, 'You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the LORD.' 34 But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, 'By heaven!' because heaven is God's throne. 35 And do not say, 'By the earth!' because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, 'By Jerusalem!' for Jerusalem is the city of the great King. 36 Do not even say, 'By my head!' for you can't turn one hair white or black. 37 Just say a simple, 'Yes, I will,' or 'No, I won't.' Anything beyond this is from the evil one.
Matthew 26:40-41
40 Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, "Couldn't you watch with me even one hour? 41 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!"
Matthew 26:34
34 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me."
Proverbs 23:16
16 Everything in me will celebrate when you speak what is right.
Ephesians 4:29-32
29 Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. 30 And do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
James 1:26
26 If you claim to be religious but don't control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.
James 3:2-12
2 Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. 3 We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. 4 And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. 5 In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. 6 And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. 7 People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, 8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. 10 And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! 11 Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? 12 Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can't draw fresh water from a salty spring.
Exodus 20:7
7 You must not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.
Profanity on TV
The latest study finds a 69.4% increase in profanity between 2005 and 2010, with the biggest rise coming in the 8 p.m. hour, what used to be called the “Family Hour.” For example, in Fall 2005 there were only 11 bleeped “f” words from 8-11 p.m., but in Fall 2010 there were 276, a 2,409% increase. Source: https://www.movieguide
Galatians 5:20
19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
Profanity in Movies
This matches MOVIEGUIDE®’s statistics that the number of movies with only 0-9 obscenities and profanities has increased from 21% of the major theatrical movies released by Hollywood in 1996 to 34.60% of the theatrical movies released in 2009. Source: https://www.movieguide
1 Corinthians 15:33 (KJV)
33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
Ephesians 5:3-4
3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God's people. 4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.
Steps to Christ
The character is revealed, not by occasional good deeds and occasional misdeeds, but by the tendency of the habitual words and acts. - p.57
Colossians 4:5-6
5 Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be gracious and attractive [Gr: seasoned with salt] so that you will have the right response for everyone.
Psalm 19:14
14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.