I can remember, while growing up as a young boy in Mississippi, my friends and I would often play ball in the back yard. Sometimes, we would get angry with one another and let out some expletives that we wouldn’t have said in our Sunday School class. At the time we said those words, we didn’t know that mother was listening. But, soon we would hear her yell out the window: “You’d better watch your mouths boys!” You see, back when I was growing up, it was a BIG NO-NO for children (anyone under 21) to use “cuss” words.

But, I would like to suggest that, even though we live in a society in which we are constantly exposed to profanity on the Internet, radio, TV, and other media outlets, “cuss” words are not as nearly damaging as “curse” words! You see, there is a difference between “cuss” words and “curse” words! “Cuss” words are the words used when we sometimes get angry and lay our religion down! (But then, there are some folks I know of who have incorporated these words into their normal everyday vocabulary!) You can tell when you are “cussing” because if you have ever had any home training, something within you tells you that you are using bad language! But “curse” words are horses of a different color! I know some preachers who use “curse” words (by the way, some of them “cuss” too!). There are many people who would never “cuss,” but they “curse” all the time!

You are “cursing” when you say that you can’t, when God has said that you can! You are “cursing” when you tell your child that they will never be anything because (in your opinion) their father is no good! You are “cursing” when you always talk about what’s wrong with your life and never express appreciation for what is right! You are cursing when you always speak negative, non-productive, cynical, and pessimistic words! The Bible says that a man’s belly will be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth . . .death and life are in the power of the tongue! Jesus said, “Whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be cast unto the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass, he shall have whatever he saith.” (Mark 11:23 KJV) In other words, whatever you consistently speak with your mouth and constantly believe in your heart will eventually become a reality in your life! Your present circumstances are a direct result of the words you have been habitually speaking! Your words have power!

We used to say when we were children; “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me!” Well, that’s not exactly true! Not only can words hurt you; words can kill you! Especially if they are “curse” words spoken and/or believed by you! Watch your mouth! Don’t cuss and don’t curse! Be careful what you say! Make sure you speak life and not death into your life and into the lives of the people around you!