A Messy Conversation About Cussing: Is It a Sin?

Summary

Summary of "A Messy Conversation About Cussing: Is It a Sin?"

Podcast: WHOA That's Good Podcast
Host/Author: Sadie Robertson Huff
Release Date: April 9, 2025

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Introduction to the Conversation

In this engaging episode of the "WHOA That's Good" podcast, host Sadie Robertson Huff delves into a candid and thought-provoking discussion about the use of cussing and its moral implications within the Christian faith. Joined by Bella Robertson and Christian Huff, the trio explores personal experiences, biblical teachings, and cultural perspectives to answer the pivotal question: Is cussing a sin?

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Personal Experiences with Cussing

The conversation begins with Bella Robertson recounting the initial challenges of organizing the episode, highlighting that cussing has been a delicate topic among their circle.

Bella Robertson [02:00]:
"When I first wrote the idea that we should have a messy conversation on cussing, it was very funny. The reaction I got asking people to be my guests was hesitant, but Christian and I pushed forward."

Christian Huff shares his limited use of cuss words, primarily in moments of fear or intense situations.

Christian Huff [05:33]:
"There have been times when I have dropped cuss words, mainly if I, like, get scared... very rarely, I would say."

Sadie Robertson admits to occasionally using subdued cuss words in moments of fear or anger but emphasizes a growing conviction against their use.

Sadie Robertson [08:07]:
"I do occasionally say cuss words... I actually do feel conviction for saying cuss words, and I don't think it's because of a societal thing... I think following Jesus, I think looking at it through the lens of what would Jesus do?"

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Biblical Perspectives on Cussing

The hosts delve deep into scripture, examining passages that address speech and morality. They reference several biblical texts to support their viewpoints.

Bella Robertson [28:37]:
"The Bible literally says, your tongue holds the power of life and death. Like, that is a huge responsibility."

Christian points out specific verses that categorize certain types of speech as sinful, including obscene talk, swearing oaths, and using the Lord’s name in vain.

Christian Huff [40:18]:
"There are definitely places where the Bible talks about cussing as a sin... Colossians 3 and Ephesians 5 specifically address obscene talk."

Sadie reinforces the sinful nature of unwholesome speech, linking it to personal integrity and witness as believers.

Sadie Robertson [35:40]:
"If someone hears you and sees that you're not using bad language, it makes them curious about why you don't. It's a simple way to be visibly set apart."

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Cultural and Contextual Considerations

The discussion acknowledges the variability of what constitutes cussing across different cultures and contexts, emphasizing that some words deemed offensive in one culture may be innocuous in another.

Christian Huff [26:57]:
"There's a difference between cussing as culturally inappropriate and actually cursing someone with ill intent. For instance, 'bloody' in England is a cuss word, but it isn't here."

Bella shares an example of how words can have different connotations in various settings, leading to misunderstandings.

Bella Robertson [28:37]:
"The word 'rooted' is seen as negative by some, but in our church, it's a positive term like 'rooted in Christ.'"

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The Heart Behind the Words

A central theme of the conversation is that speech reflects the heart's condition. The hosts discuss how intentionality in choosing words can influence one's spiritual and moral standing.

Sadie Robertson [16:02]:
"Trying to be more intentional with what I'm putting in my heart aligns my words with my faith."

Christian emphasizes that words are a direct reflection of one's inner state and spiritual health.

Christian Huff [22:26]:
"Words are just a reflection of what's in your heart. If you feed your heart with good things, your words will reflect that."

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Integrity Across Different Settings

Maintaining consistent language and behavior across various environments is highlighted as crucial for personal integrity and effective witnessing.

Bella Robertson [33:11]:
"If someone listens to my podcast and watches my sermons, I don’t want to surprise them by cussing casually."

Sadie adds that being genuine and consistent in language helps in evangelizing and maintaining a positive witness.

Sadie Robertson [21:49]:
"Words that are edifying make people comfortable around you and can even open up conversations to share faith."

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Conclusion: Taming the Tongue

The episode wraps up with a powerful reading of James 3, emphasizing the importance of controlling one's speech as a reflection of one's heart and spiritual state.

Bella Robertson [59:05]:
"James 3 literally commands us to tame our tongues. If your words don't align with blessing the Lord, they aren't setting you apart."

Sadie summarizes the discussion by urging listeners to integrate the teachings into their lives, promoting a lifestyle that reflects their faith through their words.

Sadie Robertson [60:56]:
"Our words should bless the Lord and align with our calling as believers. It's about living authentically and letting our speech reflect our heart's condition."

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This episode offers a comprehensive exploration of the nuanced topic of cussing, intertwining personal anecdotes with deep theological insights. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own speech patterns and consider how their words align with their faith and personal integrity.

Transcript

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Fees apply. What is up everybody? If you saw the title of this podcast, then get ready because this is going to be a messy conversation. But one I am so excited about. When I first wrote the idea that we should have a messy conversation on cussing, it was very funny. The reaction that I got to asking people to be my guests. So the two here today are the ones that braved it and made it on this episode. Christian, I did force. Christian, I forced here. Mom was the brave one. Mom did her research.

[Christian Huff]

I'm always up for a messy conversation. I like, this is my first one.

[Bella Robertson]

This is your first conversation.

[Sadie Robertson]

Cause y'all did tattoos and I think sex.

[Bella Robertson]

What about identity? Was that in your maturity? Grow? That was. That was a messy conversation.

[Christian Huff]

Yeah.

[Sadie Robertson]

Okay, then this is my second.

[Bella Robertson]

I've just watched you mature over the years and thought you were ready for this.

[Sadie Robertson]

What are you talking about?

[Bella Robertson]

I'm just kidding. Actually, funny enough, this is a true story. So I asked Christian to do this messy conversation on cussing and he said no. And I was like, oh, but that would be so good. And then, well, I asked you, Bella and Jacob and y'all all said no to be fair. Well, Jacob said yes, but Jacob said yes, but I was like, no. Actually, I'm saying no on behalf of you. You can't do it.

[Christian Huff]

You're too far.

[Bella Robertson]

You're too far on the other side. No, just kidding. But then that night we came over to your house and I was telling you, you're like, oh, that would be really good. So then we get in the conversation, then, Christian, you're chiming in, saying some things and we get home, then we get into like an hour long conversation about this topic. And you had so much wisdom on it. You had like. You were just like, it was so good, everything he was saying. I was like, this is so good. And then after he finished, I go, man, this is gonna be such a good podcast. He's like, oh, I'm not doing the podcast. I was like, what do you mean you're not doing the podcast? You just talked about it for an hour. So I made you do it because you had really good advice.

[Sadie Robertson]

Well, I'm happy to be here and that you value my opinion, so thank you.

[Bella Robertson]

I still value your opinion. So we're having a messy conversation about cussing and kind of like where we, I guess why we title some conversations messy and some not messy is typically messy conversations are conversations within the church where, like, Christians differ in, like, we could do one on drinking because some Christians believe it's okay to drink, some Christians don't. We do it on tattoos because some believe it and absolutely not okay to have tattoos. And then some pastors and worship leaders have tattoos. You can do one on modesty because some people feel okay in a bikini and some people don't. Cussing kind of falls under those lines because some people in the church think it's absolutely not okay to cuss and others think it's fine, like it's not a big deal, doesn't not a sin, anything like that. So what's the problem? And so we were like, let's have a conversation about it. And the reason I asked multiple people to do it is because I want us to. I think we're going to come to a place of just reading what the Bible says. But maybe we differ in how we view cussing, even the three of us. And so we'll start it out by just asking the question, do you guys cuss? And what is your viewpoint? Just, you know, everyday life, like, where do. Where does cussing fall for you?

[Christian Huff]

We're just cussing.

[Bella Robertson]

Where are you at with your language? Would you have an explicit title on your life?

[Christian Huff]

I would definitely not have an explicit title in my life. Although I'm the only person that was bleeped on Duck Dynasty.

[Bella Robertson]

True.

[Christian Huff]

If y'all remember one of the very early episodes, I think it was playing football. And I fall.

[Bella Robertson]

You fall in the bleachers.

[Christian Huff]

On the bleachers. And I got bleed. And I did not. I mean, I probably said, shoot, maybe. Or maybe I said, okay, wait, we need to give a Disclaimer. If you're listening to this with your kids, we might say words that you might think like, some people think different things are cuss words.

[Bella Robertson]

Yeah, it's true.

[Christian Huff]

We don't think crap is a cuss word, so we say crap.

[Bella Robertson]

Actually, I remember the first time I said crap. You said say. You can't say crap. I said, you say crap. You're like, oh.

[Sadie Robertson]

I was like, in fourth grade, your favorite is crud.

[Bella Robertson]

Yeah. You used to cry the crud and the shoot.

[Christian Huff]

Crud and shoot a lot. But anyway, I didn't cuss. I really did not. And they did bleep me. And Phil was. Phil, like, stood up on my behalf. He was like, she did not say a cuss word and all that. Not that I'm above saying a cuss word. There have been times when I have dropped them, mainly if I, like, get scared.

[Bella Robertson]

Yours are always fear moments.

[Christian Huff]

If I fear for my life, sometimes a word will come out and. And it's not shoot, But. But very rarely, I would say. I'll say this very often.

[Bella Robertson]

I've only heard you cuss, I think, one time, and it was in the Johnny's Pizza parking lot when your car. You thought you braked and you didn't. And you. And you almost hit a car.

[Christian Huff]

Yes.

[Bella Robertson]

And then you. You let something out, and we were like, mom. And you were like, if you think you're gonna die, it is okay to say. You threw that. No, that's why. That's good advice.

[Christian Huff]

I started laughing, and y'all started laughing so hard. And then John Luke started saying that word all the time as a joke. Like, he would just, like, throw it out to me intentionally to make. Make us laugh. So, yeah, I mean, I don't cuss regularly. I didn't grow up with it. I mean, my. My family was very conservative with this. Like, we didn't say, but, like, you had to say booty. We didn't say. We said too. You know, like, we were very conservative with that. But strangely, like, we did say crap. My dad said crap, so I said it. Mom. I don't think I've ever heard my mom two mama does not say, I.

[Bella Robertson]

Can'T even own anything.

[Christian Huff]

She says booty. Like, she doesn't say anything. So I didn't grow up with it. Didn't like, was not just kind of like a normal part of my vocabulary at all. But I will say I always felt like it was silly. Like, words are words. And, like, why do we deem some words a cuss word and some Words. This. So I think with y'all, I tried to kind of just say, like, words. Some words are inappropriate, you know, and, like, it's inappropriate for you to say in, like, context. And all of that I think is important. And so it's like, I didn't want. We were around a lot of people who did cuss a lot, and it doesn't bother me of other people cuss at all. And so I didn't want y'all to be like, oh, they're a terrible person. They're going to hell because they said a cuss word. So I just try to teach all, like, some words are appropriate, some words are inappropriate, and how do we view it that way? And so that's kind of how I look at it.

[Bella Robertson]

Yeah, no, I think that's really good.

[Christian Huff]

There's a lot of scripture, actually.

[Bella Robertson]

We're going to get study.

[Christian Huff]

And so I think that there's a lot of nuance to that. But I guess I should say, I think that, yes, why do we. There is a lot of it is societal and cultural and what's appropriate or inappropriate for a moment or not another moment.

[Bella Robertson]

Reading into this for this podcast, I think there's actually more scripture on it than I thought.

[Christian Huff]

Yeah.

[Bella Robertson]

So I'm excited to get to that. But, Christian, what about you?

[Sadie Robertson]

Okay. Am I a cusser? No. Do I occasionally say cuss words? Yes.

[Bella Robertson]

Fear.

[Sadie Robertson]

For me, most of the time, it's either in fear or anger. Like, if I'm driving home today and someone almost hits me, or if someone's, like, riding on my bumper, you know, I might say like, a what the H kind of thing, which is not right.

[Christian Huff]

Christian's cussing. He just says the first letter.

[Bella Robertson]

You do. Actually, in this new season of Duck Dynasty there, we've seen some clips.

[Christian Huff]

My favorite one.

[Bella Robertson]

Yeah.

[Christian Huff]

D word. D word.

[Sadie Robertson]

Yeah, I'll say D word.

[Bella Robertson]

To clarify, he literally says D word.

[Christian Huff]

D word.

[Bella Robertson]

The D word.

[Christian Huff]

He doesn't say the D word. He says D word, which could be like, darn.

[Sadie Robertson]

D it. Could be Darn. Darn it. Dang it.

[Christian Huff]

Yeah.

[Sadie Robertson]

See, people probably think, dang, it's a cuss word. Yeah. Yeah. Or if, like, if I miss a flight or, you know, just if. Things like that. Like, I'm just thinking of things. And most of the time, for me, yeah, it comes out in anger. And I'm also at a point in my life spiritually where I actually do feel conviction for saying cuss words, and I don't think it's because of, like, a societal thing that like, you know, society says it's bad, so I try not to. Like, I'm not abiding by that. But, yeah, I think following Jesus, I think looking at it through the lens of what would Jesus do? I don't think Jesus would walk around using obscene language and cussing and saying, well, it's not actually a sin. So I don't think that's what he would do. So if I'm actually trying to emulate my life the way he did, yeah, I don't think then I should be doing it. But then again, you know, I do think it's wrong. And we'll get into the is it wrong or is it sinful conversation here in a little bit. But do I occasionally cuss? Yes. What? I say I'm a cusser. No.

[Bella Robertson]

Yep. That's good. I think that's fair. Well, I mean, even Jacob, when we had this conversation, he's like, you know, he was like, yeah, I cuss. And he's like, but I'm not saying it's good. I'm not saying it's right, you know, And I thought that was funny to hear Jacob say, so I think it's cool for you to say, like, yes, I do. But I'm at the point in my life where I do actually feel conviction when I do. Which is cool because you used to not feel that way, right?

[Sadie Robertson]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Years and years ago, before we were together and I was not necessarily a Christian. Yeah. I wouldn't. If I was dropping bombs, not on the softball field, but in my mouth, I would not feel guilty, per se. And yeah, a lot of it also came from inputs in my life, whether it was inappropriate movies or things I was watching or music I was listening to, and even just people I was hanging out with. If it's because, you know the kind of people it's like when you're around certain groups of people, you're one way it can be respectful. But to me, I'm like, just be who you are all the time. Like, if it's around church people, back when I was not really following Jesus, I would try to be more proper, more polite. But when I'm with my worldly friends, it's like, yeah, F bombs. And just. It's because it's like, that's what we get in the car. We're listening to worldly music about adultery and just all these terrible things. It's like, well, if that's what I'm constantly filling my life with, or if I'm watching Wolf of Wall street, an inappropriate movie like that which says the F word hundreds of times, then I'll probably be more prone to use language like that if I'm. Versus if I'm.

[Bella Robertson]

Yeah.

[Sadie Robertson]

Not watching your list.

[Bella Robertson]

Very true. Which we're gonna get in.

[Christian Huff]

Definitely. What goes in does come out, does come out.

[Bella Robertson]

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[Christian Huff]

Or like music I just kind of like don't understand. I'm like, like why?

[Bella Robertson]

Like a war movie with people getting shot at. Yeah, that actually doesn't bother me. It's different because I'm like, you're just try to getting bombed, you know, but.

[Christian Huff]

Like there's an intensity of a situation that kind of, like, makes it make sense, but when it's just, like.

[Bella Robertson]

It just feels, like, unnecessary. And I like to watch that.

[Christian Huff]

And people do kind of, like, use it as a crutch of, like, for humor or something. And, like, there are, like, obviously, like, some things are funny about it, but, like, sometimes it's like, it's just over and over. You're like, it's not really funny. I don't understand it.

[Sadie Robertson]

That's what I was saying earlier. For me, with anger. And like I said, we're gonna get into the sin part. But at least for me, before I really redeemed the Lord, redeemed kind of who I was. I feel like, for me, because different than 2000 years ago with phones, like, yes, you're speaking words, but also it truly is what's in your heart. Because I can think about so many times where I would be, like, texting something and, oh, that's not funny. So I'll throw in the cuss word version of what I was saying to amplify it or to make it more funny or to try to fit in or whatever. So I do think that there are moments where, like, I think people pleasing is a big thing, where you're trying to fit in when you're trying to make people laugh by using humor. And to me, I think that's when it crosses the threshold.

[Christian Huff]

Well, and on the other side of that, people really do notice when you don't cuss. Like, they do notice. And that is something during. Even when we were filming Duck Dynasty, because people, you know, when you're filming, you have a microphone on, and there are people basically listening to you all the time. You go to the bathroom, be aware that, like, somebody might be listening because you have that microphone on. And so that is something that several of our Pim Craig did comment on. That's like, wow, I just don't hear that, like, that language. Yes. And not like I said, not like, we're perfect. Like, they're, you know, somebody may say something or whatever, but it's like, it's like, different. It. They notice. It's like, oh, it's different because if. When I'm, you know, one of the guys actually on our crew right now, he was like, oh, I've been cussed up and down. I've been, you know, I've been in my ear is normally like, that is what you're hearing. But it's not just that we don't cuss. It's like, oh, I'm Hearing more pleasant, wholesome talk, you know? And people do notice that, yes, there.

[Bella Robertson]

Is a verse, and it was talking about, like, let your speech always be gracious and seasoned with salt so that you may know what you're answer is to be to a person. And then it talked about, like, so that they would receive it something like, great graciously or something. And I was thinking that is so true to that point, like, when you don't use language, people notice, and it's like, there's something pleasant about it, you know, it's like, easy to listen to. It's there, it's seasoned with salt. It's like Proverbs 16, which we named honey after a gracious word, like a honeycomb healing to the bones, you know? And so I think that, yeah, people do notice, and you just feel comfortable, comfortable around somebody who's like, words are more uplifting. I mean, Ephesians 4 talks about that too, and we'll probably get to that. But it talks about, I wrote it down. Let no corruption talk come out of your mouth, but only such that is good for building others up. So, like, people notice because even the phone crew was saying, like, man, I don't feel as, like, threatened or like, literally people were cussing at me, and I haven't even heard y'all, like, say words like that. And so, yeah, for me, back in the day, more people pleasing temptation, and then now more just like actual pain. But really not. It's really just not even in my vocabulary. I mean, cece Winans was on recently. She had this funny real go viral. It wasn't supposed to be funny, but people thought it was funny. She said, when you stub your toe cuss, words shouldn't come out. You should say, like, hallelujah, thank you, Jesus. And everyone laughed. And then she was like, why are you laughing? She was like, because it shouldn't be in there, you know, because it shouldn't even be in there. And I do think I've kind of gotten to a place in my life where it really isn't in there. Like, I don't think to cuss. I don't have that. That's just not even in my vocabulary, in my words, which I do want to go ahead and read in Luke, which we're gonna go cover so much. But this has been a really pivotal verse for me. And actually this was a verse that helped me to start my podcast and everything. And for me, I do feel like a microphone does hold you accountable in a lot of ways. And because I do, like Talk for a living. I speak in front of a microphone all the time, whether it's on stage or on a podcast or any kind of interview. I feel like what I'm putting in, if I know what comes in, comes out, then I need to be really intentional with what I'm putting in, because if I'm not careful, then there's no telling what I can say in any given moment, on a bad day, on a tired day, in an interview that's going south or whatever. And so this verse has been pivotal for me. Luke 6. It says, the good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of the evil treasure produces evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. And that was a big verse for me when it comes to language and cussing, because I know if I listen to things, I'm just more prone to do it. I'm such an imitator by nature. We. We all are, you know, so when you hear it, for better or for worse, it's just going to come out. It will enter into your vocabulary, enter into your language. But when I don't listen to things like that, watch things like that, I don't think about it, you know, when I'm putting good treasure in my heart, I just notice that's just coming out. When you're putting bad, you're going to start noticing that, start to come out. And that's been a big one for me. That's been helpful.

[Christian Huff]

Yeah.

[Sadie Robertson]

Well, I think. I think too, it's like, it. For me, it all. It all just comes down to, like, your witness. And you just talked about the TV shows. It's like, what is something simple that can separate you from the world? And just by you being a witness. And it's like, well, if, like not using bad language, if something as simple as that can distinguish you from the rest of the world and make people be interested in why you don't do that, then to them it's then. Then to me it's like, why would you not pursue that?

[Bella Robertson]

It's like, it's like a simple way to be visibly set apart.

[Sadie Robertson]

It's like, if it's not edifying, if it's like, if it doesn't add to anything, then. And you're able to get in conversations with the film crew simply because you don't cuss, like, why would you not want to pursue that from the standpoint of like, it helps you to evangelize to people by having good language.

[Christian Huff]

Yeah. You know, just by Being different just by being different.

[Sadie Robertson]

Like, so it's like. It's that question of. It's like, how can we look different than the world? And for me, I think your language is one of those things. And I think people are drawn to that. Like, we've talked about.

[Bella Robertson]

It's so true.

[Christian Huff]

Just as you were reading that scripture, it made me think about Matthew 12:33. It's either make a tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad. For the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers. How can you speak good when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment, people will give account for every careless word they speak. Like, that's like, whoa, okay. For by your words, you will be justified, and by your words, you will be condemned. So, I mean, it's pretty. Like, powerful words do mean something. And it come. It's coming out because it's coming out of the heart. And that's pretty much all the New Testament, Jesus's words. And what Jesus was trying to say is, like, it's not about the letter of the law. It's not about, like, this word or this word. It's what's coming out of your heart. And your words are a reflection of that. Your words are the fruit of what is coming out of the inside.

[Bella Robertson]

So true. I was thinking about Romans 12. Like, do not be conformed by the pattern of this world. Be transformed by the renewal of your mind. And so much of cussing is, like, culturally accepted, you know? So it's like, okay, I'm just going to go into what culture's doing. I'm listening to this. I'm watching this. It's in my mind. No one cares if I say it. But when you are transformed by the renewal of your mind and when you have good things in your heart and good things come out, people really do notice and blesses other people. And to the point of words mattering, the Bible literally says, your tongue holds the power of life and death. Like, that is a huge responsibility, you know?

[Christian Huff]

Yeah.

[Bella Robertson]

You know, it's just like, every word you say, you're going to be held accountable for. And I just don't think we think about that a lot. I mean, what does it say in Proverbs? Like, where words are many, sin is not absent. It's like, we're not very intentional all the time with how we use our words. And I think that, like we talked about cussing earlier, it can just be so careless, you know, like when we say a war movie, it makes a little bit more sense. Not that that's the best word to use, but at the same time, like, it's a very intense moment where as you're watching a movie, where it's just like, annoyingly flippantly because it's like you're just doing it.

[Sadie Robertson]

Just careless. Yeah. Just to make it like a rated R movie. It's careless just by using bad language.

[Bella Robertson]

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[Christian Huff]

But I think we do have to, like, remember that, like you said, said, it is still cultural, you know, some of these things. And I think that's where, like, I do see there's a difference in, like, cussing in a word that's like, okay, it's acceptable in the south, but. Or acceptable in, like, one country but in another countryside. Like, even, like, the word like, bloody, like in, like in England or London. I think that's like a cuss word. But we wouldn't even think about that or whatever. Or it's like certain words, Words are just cultural. And I do think that there is something to like, it's silly. It's a. It's a cuss word because our culture has deemed it that or whatever. And there's a difference in that. And there's a difference in, like, cursing. And cursing, to me, I actually read a book one time is a. It was a. It's a book about the one by Ayn Harsi Ali. Yes. And she grew up in Somalia and like, her. The way, like, some of the people in her life spoke, it was like, truly like cursing someone. Like, call down, like, damnation on a person or on people. Yeah. So I think that that is one of the things that the Bible specifically speaks against is like cursing somebody. And that's a whole different thing than like, saying a word that is culturally inappropriate. And I think. I think, like, we talked about, like, there can be a witness in not saying those words that are culturally inappropriate, but that's a whole different thing than, like, actually, like, cursing somebody.

[Bella Robertson]

I mean, Taya and Ben have told us this, but in one of, like, the worst words is the word rooted. That's like, she says, like, the F word to us.

[Christian Huff]

Wow.

[Bella Robertson]

Well, it really is unfortunate because rooted is not only not a bad word here, but it's actually, like, used in a good term and especially a lot in the church. So, like, the other day we're at church and we see this van, and literally the van is, like, wrapped, and it says rooted in Christ with, like, trees, like, rooted deep. And he takes a picture and sends it to Taya and then they're like, no, that's the worst thing ever. Like, why would anyone do that? You know, like cultural, like. Yeah, means something good here, means something bad. So, yes, you can't. I think that's why all messy conversations you have to address like that kind of like self righteousness and judgmental spirit of like just getting so hung up on the one thing where it's like, okay, it's not just about like the words, it's about where they come about the heart.

[Christian Huff]

Yes.

[Bella Robertson]

And I will say I think a lot of cussing does come from a bad place. So let's get into that. Like, is cussing a sin? You know, for me personally, when we asked oursel this question, is cussing a sin? I was like, no, I don't think cussing's a sin. Do I cuss? No, but I wouldn't say it's like sin, you know, and then Christian, you had a really good point to that.

[Sadie Robertson]

Yeah, I mean, I just said I do think it is sinful because of. Of the things we've talked about. Like let no, let no obscure talk come out of your mouth. Like put away all talk. That's filthy. Colossians 3. I'm not gonna read the whole thing, but like put away anger, wrath, malice, slander and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another. So there's this idea of like, yes, we are called to be set apart. And I just for me, and I'm. This is just from personal testimony and also just things I've seen. I do think that most of the time we use words that are bad, it is because it's either out of anger or to fit in to people. Please, out of fear. Which, you know, I'm not saying fear is necessarily always sinful, but sometimes when you find yourself living in it, maybe can be a lack of trust or peace or whatever. But the thing for me, it is the tension because it's, you know, James 4 talks about he who knows the right thing to do and fails to do it for him. That is sin. So that verse is super convicting for me. But then for someone else it might seem like a license to like, oh, well, I don't feel bad, so I'm going to do it. But I'm kind of rambling here. But then it is tough because it is societal. Because then I would argue if I'm at church on Sunday and the pastor's cussing the whole sermon, then it's like, that would be weird, right? But then for someone, then I would argue someone in the congregation that doesn't think cussing is wrong. I would even probably say that that person would think that's not the right context to be using words like that.

[Christian Huff]

Well, I think that's where it kind of goes to that inappropriate thing. There's some words that are just, like, appropriate or inappropri. Inappropriate for certain situations. And, like, I remember when Rebecca first moved here, there were a few words that she said that, like, we deem as cuss words. You know, like, we don't say. But she learned English and Taiwan and didn't realize that those were words that. So she would say those words, you know, with y'all, with the little kids. And she had to. We were like, oh, well, that's, like, actually not appropriate to say here. She's like, oh, she had no idea, you know? But actually, I sent you something today. Whenever I knew we were talking about this conversation because I was reading about it. It was. Let me pull it up real quick. It was just an article, and it was actually about. I think it was about, like, the clothes we wear, and it wasn't from a Christian perspective at all. It was talking about, like, nudity in public and this kind of stuff. Modesty and all this kind of stuff. And she actually. She brings it up as basically language. And, like, there's language that. That. That we exist and use today that are highly offensive or inappropriate. It. Sometimes they're fine to say, but sometimes they're not. So, like, if a coworker. She said, if a coworker says these words at work, then we'd be like, well, I can't believe you said that. But if you said it in another setting, it'd be fine. Same for, like, modesty. Like, if you come to work in a bikini, it'd be like, whoa, that's totally inappropriate. But if you wear a bathing suit at the beach, it's appropriate, you know? So I do think there are some words that are that way.

[Sadie Robertson]

Yeah.

[Christian Huff]

But also, like, you said also in the same way, like, you don't use them because it is inappropriate or it isn't culturally.

[Sadie Robertson]

Yeah, yeah. You talked about the microphone. That's kind of how I think about it.

[Bella Robertson]

Because I think, okay, for me, like, I feel like if someone who listens to my podcast all the time watch my sermons, and if I meet them and I just, like, casually cuss, it would be like, whoa.

[Christian Huff]

Yeah, that is.

[Bella Robertson]

That doesn't really line up. Whereas, like, for me, whenever I talk to speakers and people that, you know, I respect and watch on stage, and then. Then, like, they Just casually. Cuz, like, it's weird to me. I'm like, I don't like that. You know, because it just feels like you shouldn't, you know, it just feels like that because. Because it, if you're not gonna say it on stage, don't say it backstage. So for me, I feel like, the integrity of, like, I, I'm not gonna use words.

[Christian Huff]

Yes.

[Bella Robertson]

Here. That I wouldn't use in my friendships, that I wouldn't use with my family.

[Christian Huff]

I think that's a really good point. And I, I live like that too. Like, I don't. I feel like, like, whatever. I want you to see me in private. You would see me in public too. I don't try to, like, live a different life in private or in public. So I'm not saying that. I guess I'm saying more like something like you might talk about in front of your kids that you wouldn't talk about. You talk about among adults, but you wouldn't talk about your kids. I'm talking about more in that regard. It's appropriate. Inappropriate. But yeah.

[Bella Robertson]

Think that, though. Like, some people actually, in having this conversation, I talked to friends who said, well, I do around some people and not around others because I'm trying to be respectful. Respectful. And to me, I'm like, I don't know that that's like. Yes, it's respectful, but also, like, I think there's like, an integrity to it too. Of, like, I'm not gonna say something. You're not gonna, like, be surprised by what I, what I say. I'm not gonna feel like a different person to you in one setting that I am in another. I think, like, who I am here is who I'm gonna be anywhere. If I was at a party, I'd be saying the same things, acting the same way.

[Christian Huff]

Yeah.

[Bella Robertson]

And I think when you, you get to that point in your life, like the new self in Christ, it's just so freeing because you're not hiding from a past version of you and you're not hiding from another version of you.

[Christian Huff]

Yeah.

[Bella Robertson]

You know what I mean? Like, really, really important.

[Christian Huff]

And I think, like, we talk, we talked about that before, about, like, drinking alcohol or anything like that. Like, I don't like that whole mindset of, like, oh, do it here and don't do it there because of this or that. I, I, I do really feel like it's really important.

[Bella Robertson]

Be confident.

[Christian Huff]

Be confident. Like, yes. I'm not gonna do something I'm trying to hide from somebody else now. Yeah. Like we talked about at the beginning. Like, if a cuss word slips out, it might slip out because of some external factor or whatever, but it's not who I am or what you would expect. I'm not gonna. You're not gonna like, be surprised by like, oh, I'm. All of a sudden, you didn't know it.

[Sadie Robertson]

Yeah, I think it's like being more. Because that's the. I think that's the part that I didn't want to do the conversation because for me, it is tough. It's like, is it wrong or is it sinful? It's like, because somebody. It's the speed limit. It's like, If I go 10 over, is that wrong or is it like inherently sinful that I'm disobeying the law? And I just. So I just spoke at that church in Athens this past weekend, and we were kind of talking about this cussing stuff and I was like, for me, the way I look at it, it's like, if I go up there and do this 40 minute Q& A and I'm like, one way, right? And then I walk off stage and the pastor's like, oh, man, that was so great. If I'm like, oh, man, I was so bleeping nervous, like, then it's like, well, everything you just did, like, there's.

[Christian Huff]

But what if you're in an environment where they're like, oh, that's fine, that's not. But I'm saying that's for me, James 4, where we.

[Bella Robertson]

Yeah, in Australia, people cuss more.

[Sadie Robertson]

Yeah, well, I'm saying that's me.

[Bella Robertson]

You don't think anything wrong with it.

[Sadie Robertson]

That's me.

[Bella Robertson]

James Forsyth do it there.

[Sadie Robertson]

You can notice the right thing. For him, it is a sin. So for me, it's like in my own conscious, it's like, yeah, that doesn't line up with. With who I am.

[Bella Robertson]

I think because of what I.

[Sadie Robertson]

My past life.

[Bella Robertson]

Drinking is a good example of this because to me, like, I don't think drinking is a sin. I think getting drunk is a sin that I don't think I know. That's what the Bible says. You know, Jesus and his friends and disciples drank wine. But there was a clear, do not get drunk. You know, so. But I don't really drink a lot. I drink on occasion. Like every now and then when we're out at dinner, I'll get like a glass of wine. But whenever we kind of started in this, like, okay, well, if I may drink wine at dinner. And then what if someone sees me that, you know, Would that feel weird? And I was like, no, I don't think it's weird because Jesus drank wine. I'm never, like, crossing the line. Maybe show people a respectful way to do it. But then as far as, like, actual, like, drinks, like, different things like that, I was like, maybe I'll have one on a vacation. You and I are on a vacation somewhere, but I'm not. That's not a casual part of my life. I'm not really ordering them at dinner. I think that's, like, where context is appropriate in some cases. It's never okay in any context to get drunk. Maybe this place, I would have a drink with you, you know, in the Bahamas. But, like, I'm not. That's not really a pattern in my life. So I think those are some. Where you say, here it might be appropriate. There, it's not appropriate.

[Christian Huff]

Right.

[Bella Robertson]

There is a place that gets to sin. So it's like, maybe it's appropriate to say appropriate in some manner to say these words in an Australian environment. Not as much here. It's never, though, okay to cuss someone out. It's never okay to curse someone. Like, there are, like, things that the Bible says, yeah, we should get to some of those places. I know that you read, like, kind of four things.

[Sadie Robertson]

Foreign.

[Bella Robertson]

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[Christian Huff]

So this morning when I was, like, kind of like, studying this, which. I love these mystical conversations because it kind of forces us to study. And. And there was. There is definitely places where the Bible talks about is enlisted as a sin, you know, and those are. There's four of them that I kind of, like, spotted and. And wanted to bring out. I thought. So it's like these. These four areas, like, definitely would be. The Bible would call sinful, you know, and so the first one is obscene talk. Like, there's. You mentioned Colossians 3, also Ephesians 5 talks about don't let anything wholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is uplifting. So, like, obscene. And it talks about. It does talk about that kind of in reference to sexual immorality and things like that. So I think that would be a place where it calls it out specifically. The other is an angel finger. Ephesians 4 and James 3, if y'all want to just kind of like, look these up. But definitely, you know, talk about.

[Bella Robertson]

Let's see, they got readjames here in a little bit, but 4:30.

[Christian Huff]

Let me see.

[Bella Robertson]

It says 28.

[Christian Huff]

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth of his neighbor. For we are members of one another. Be angry and do not sin. Do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Then it goes on to say, let no corrupting talk come out of your mouth, but only such. Such as is good for building up and fits the occasion that may give grace for those who hear.

[Bella Robertson]

That's the one I was referring to. Give grace to those who hear. This last part, I couldn't remember.

[Christian Huff]

And it goes on. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you along with all malice, be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another. So it's. This is more just in reference to like anger. Cussing people or cursing people in anger. Clearly that's not, not, you know, the way we should live as Christians. It's not the fruit of the spirit.

[Bella Robertson]

This is kind of interesting. Just in the messiness of this conversation, I'll say. I remember back in high school, like, a lot of people used the B word, like, they call people that. And I remember thinking that was not like a super bad word. You know, like, I would, like, you deem what words you think are worse than others.

[Sadie Robertson]

Oh, really?

[Bella Robertson]

No, now I'm saying. No, what I'm saying now is like, I think. I didn't think it was that bad because everyone said it.

[Sadie Robertson]

Everyone was, oh, it's just a female dog.

[Bella Robertson]

I know. But let me say now I think it's one of, one of the worst because you're. That's completely belittling somebody, building someone up. You are belittling someone. Like you are talking to someone's character and offending them.

[Christian Huff]

Yeah.

[Bella Robertson]

And so it's. Or you're gossiping about them. So like you're, you're in line with like actual sin when you're calling someone, someone that. Because that hasn't. That is unwholesome talk. That is not building someone up. That is not gracious words. That is not kind words. Like. And so it's just interesting because I didn't think it was that bad because so many people used it. But now in the context of studying the Bible, I'm like, no, it's actually absolutely wrong, you know, to say something like that. And it's not light. It's not like a small thing to do. It's actually a really big deal. Yeah.

[Sadie Robertson]

Well, the verse that you read in Matthew earlier, talking about careless words, I think, because then again too, at the same time, I don't think it's the same thing for us with heaven or hell. Like, we're not, like, we don't have the authority to deem that. And I think sometimes it's maybe similar sin because it's like for a careless word, for instance. It's like if we're on a plane and there's bad turbulence a little, you know, and you say the S word and it comes out. It's like, is that a careless word? Or would a careless word be more like if I'm just flippantly in casual conversations just throwing out words just to say cuss words, You Know, so it's.

[Bella Robertson]

Like, to me, that's where. Like, that's a good point. Because that's why I think when you asked me if cussing is a sin, I was like, no, because in the moments I've ever felt tempted in the past two years to cuss, it was an actual moment of pain. Like, literally giving birth to a child or the aftermath of child, like, just pain. So, like, I didn't think, like, it's not coming from anger, it's not coming from fear. It's not coming against someone. It's like a response to pain. Is it careless? Yes. Could I use a better word? Yes. Does it need to be said? No. But it didn't feel rooted in something wrong, you know? And so. And I think then there are other.

[Christian Huff]

Times, like, these kind of four things where you're like, okay, what are rooted in things around, like, obscenity. Yes. Anger.

[Bella Robertson]

Like, someone like.

[Christian Huff]

Well, it references the. The two places are Colossians 3 and Ephesians 5, and it talks about obscene talk. And in reference, I think, to sexual. Immoral and sexual conversations. And so. Yeah, crude. Yeah, crude.

[Bella Robertson]

Like, I think the F word is always wrong because it's crude.

[Christian Huff]

Yeah, it's very.

[Bella Robertson]

Exactly an appropriate word in all contexts, you know?

[Christian Huff]

Yeah. Okay. So the next one that I have heard, and I remember as a kid, like, people use this very flippantly, and it always bothered me because there is actual real scripture against it. And even like this, Jesus's words is swearing in oath and like, to. And swearing on something, or swearing because it just.

[Bella Robertson]

We're really vague on us. Never, never, never swear.

[Christian Huff]

Never saying, like, I swear. Because this is Jesus's words. Like, again, you have heard that it was said to those of old, you shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn. But I say to you, do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God for. Or by earth, for it is a footstool, or by Jerusalem, for is the city of the great king. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair whiter black. Let what you say be simply yes or no. Anything more than this comes from evil. So I think that has to do with kind of that, like, flippant talk or, you know, swearing an oath on something is. Is definitely, you know, Jesus words. And James, Jesus, brother James 5:12, talks about, like, don't swear by anything. You know, let your yes be yes in your net. And then the fourth is the Lord's name In vain. And that's, you know, a commandment is not to use the Lord's name in vain. But I think people actually do take that very. I think there's a lot of ways you can use the Lord's name in vain. I think one specifically is just, like, loosely saying the Lord's name whenever. Like, there should be respect. When you talk about the Lord, it's like, you wouldn't. You wouldn't, like, say a cuss word and say my name. Like, your mom's name or your dad's name.

[Sadie Robertson]

Every action movie, it's like, if something happens in their. Like, oh, jc.

[Christian Huff]

It's like, yeah, yeah.

[Sadie Robertson]

Like, they always say it's. It's always like a casual.

[Bella Robertson]

Yeah. Disrespectfully using. Yeah.

[Christian Huff]

Like, think about if you were to do that, like, just your husband's name or your. Your dad's name or your wife's name or your, you know, like, that's just. It's disrespectful. And God is.

[Bella Robertson]

That's a thing.

[Christian Huff]

Yeah. So I think there's one way and then other ways I think you could use the Lord in vain is like, just like, be, like, claiming Christianity and actually being hypocritical. You know, like, living a life that's opposite, but claiming it in public or living a life that, like, contradictory to your faith, I think is using the Lord's name in vain. Like a preacher that's like, oh, I'm a preacher and I'm preaching about Jesus, but I'm living a whole other way.

[Bella Robertson]

I think is a way that you would do that. People do get really sensitive about this. And, like, for instance, we've had guests on the podcast who are, like, believers and strong believers, and they'll be like, oh, my God. You know? And, like, they don't think that's bad. Whereas, like, for me, I wouldn't say, oh, my God, but I say, oh, my gosh. And I say, omg.

[Christian Huff]

Yeah.

[Bella Robertson]

So, like. But I'm not thinking, like, I'm taking the Lord's name in vain. Because when I say omg, I'm thinking, oh, my gosh. Except for one time I posted on Facebook, it's, like, years ago, and I was actually talking about Ello Tour back before we did a conference, and I was like, omg, we're about to hit the road. This is so exciting. Like, come out for worship. All the different things. And this woman commented and was like, I cannot believe that you would take the Lord's name in vain. And just starts like, like, pretty, like, roasting my. My character, you know? And then my great grandma Mama Joe comes back at this lady and was like, are you seriously going to miss the whole point of this post? That she's hosting nights for young people to worship Jesus and, like, preach? Because she said, omg, you're worried about three letters? And she's like, I think that you're missing the heart here. And I think sometimes we do that when it comes to this kind of stuff. Like, we go so zeroed in, you know, it's like, oh, they said this, they did that.

[Christian Huff]

Right?

[Bella Robertson]

And again, it's not about that. Like, when I say, omg, am I taking the Lord's name in vain? If I'm thinking, oh, my gosh, I would say no. But, like, if I'm gonna say Jesus Christ out of the context of worshiping Jesus Christ, I think that is taking the Lord's name out of vain. It's interesting, though, because I thought about this. I always say, like, holy moly or like, holy cow, you know?

[Christian Huff]

Yeah.

[Bella Robertson]

And people are like, cows aren't holy. Okay. But also then, you know, all the worship songs and in Revelation, it's like, we will forever be saying, holy, holy, holy, holy. Are you Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come? I'm like, well, I don't really want to say anything else is holy. So I even feel like in my own life language, I don't want to say that, even though that is a more thing in my vocabulary, because I've always been like, oh, holy moly, you know? But I'm, like, mindful of that. Like, okay, I shouldn't be so flippant with that. Not that I think, like, my heart's bad or it's wrong necessarily, but I'm like, if forever and all of eternity, I'm going to say holy, holy, holy. Are you Lord God Almighty, then yeah, I don't really want to use that in other context.

[Christian Huff]

Yeah.

[Bella Robertson]

So I think, yeah, you got to be like. Like, you got to use your own.

[Christian Huff]

It's your heart, you know, back to your heart. I mean, I had a Bible teacher in 8th grade who. I can remember her saying this because, like, for some reason during that time period, bull was like a thing. Like, you would say if you said something, I'd go, bull. You know, like, that was like, the thing. And we would say, what comes after that? We'd say, bull. And she'd go, you know, what comes after bull? And we'd be like, bull crap, bull, shivaki, whatever. You know, he'd like, make up other words that came after bull.

[Sadie Robertson]

But.

[Christian Huff]

But, like, it can. It can get really silly if we're going to get ticky. Or can you say bs? But you can't say this.

[Bella Robertson]

I have a personal recent story on this.

[Christian Huff]

Yes.

[Bella Robertson]

So we were at Passion Conference, and it was Levi Lesko and his daughter. I was talking to them. We're having a great conversation. I literally told his daughter, hey, I love that you're getting into ministry. She had just done this whole, like, event that was awesome. She did a Q and A with Levi. I was like, if you ever need to reach out and just want to, like, chat or any way I can encourage you, like, I want to give you my number. It was great. Then Crowder comes over, and Crowder's so funny, you know, he's just so crazy. And Levi asks him driving advice for what way Olivia should get back to her campus. And Crowder goes, oh, I don't have a car. Blah, blah, blah. And I looked at him. I said, bs, you don't have a car. I've seen your car. You have a nice car. And then I felt so bad. I said, bs. And. And I don't even say bs. Like, I don't even say. But literally, like, that's all I could say to him because I was like, you're lying. That's not true. That's bs. And I just, like. I don't know if, like, Levi and Olivia really felt offended by that, but I felt like it was awkward. Like, oh, that was a weird thing for me to say because I don't really say stuff like that. So I didn't say anything about it. The moment passed.

[Christian Huff]

I said, but you said the letters.

[Bella Robertson]

I said the letters. Yeah, I said the letters. I still haven't said anything to them about it, but I have asked Christian, like, two times. Should I text Levi should tell. He's like, no, that's. I'm sure Levi says bs like, it's not that big of a deal. Like, there's a whole game called bs, But.

[Christian Huff]

And I think that's the thing is, like, we have to be careful because it's an easy way for us to divide ourselves, you know, like, to say, like, oh, you said that. And I can't say that. I mean, even the words, it can get very. It can be a very judgmental spirit if you get there. It's like. I mean, I can think of. I'm like. I keep thinking of words that, like. I'm like, should I say it? Because I don't know if people are listening or whatever, but that are not cuss words to us. Like, we say that and we're fine with it. But other people might think they, they could divide or they could divide, use that to devise and say like, oh, you said this, or you can say that.

[Bella Robertson]

And people probably will through this podcast. I mean, whenever I asked Bella to come on, Bella's like, no, I don't want, I don't want all the hate that will get Christians.

[Christian Huff]

Yeah.

[Bella Robertson]

And I said, oh, well, we will get hate. I was like, every messy conversation we do, but every messy conversation is also people's favorite ones and the ones that we learn from the most, the ones we dive into the Bible the most. So it's, that's like, it's unfortunate how divided we can be when we're literally reading scripture. But at the same time, these are important conversations because I told Christian and Bella and Jacob this. I was like, the truth is, most people who listen to this podcast probably do cuss.

[Christian Huff]

And that's why we're having said something.

[Bella Robertson]

And that's why we're having this conversation. Like, why does it matter to have these conversations? Because we all go through our day to day life. We all hear cuss words, you know, know, we. Let's talk about, as a believer, what our response should be to it, you know?

[Sadie Robertson]

Yeah, well, I think the thing, I think we do this probably the most with like sexual stuff. It's like, how, how close can I get to that line to where it's sinful? And so for me, it's like in my life, I'm like, I don't, like, I don't want to live my life thinking like, it's this sinful. How close can I. It's like, just live your life, let God redeem it and just try to bear fruit to the spirit. It's like, I don't want to be like, is this because it. Because then it's just like you're just on a hamster wheel of like, yeah, either trying to please people or like, you're just being worried all the time. It's like, don't try to get to this line and teeter it just to say, you know, it's not sinful. It's like, just let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouth. Like, be genuine to others. Be speak words that are edifying and live set apart. Like, that's what we're called to do as believers. We're supposed to look different than the world. And for me, I Think language is one of those things. So it's like, I think that's good. I don't think we should be asking that question of, like, how close can I get to where it's sinful? Or like, living my life always asking, like, is this a sin? Because it's like, if you're asking yourself, is that is it a sin? Then it. There might be the Holy Spirit convicting you to stop doing what you're doing.

[Christian Huff]

So, yeah, I think that's good.

[Bella Robertson]

Yeah. I would love to read James 3 as we begin to close out. And then if you have anything else to say, please add to. But this is so good. And I think, you know, as you're processing, hearing this conversation, maybe you currently struggle with cussing. Maybe it's something you've never thought about very much. Maybe it's something that you absolutely do not do. And this conversation has been really interesting to you. I just want to read James 3 because we have been commanded to tame our tongue. You know, the word is clear on that. So whatever context you view is important to tame your tongue. Jesus is very clear in his word. We read Matthew, Luke, and then also in James. Like, it's very important, the words we say. So James 3 is literally called the taming of the tongue. I'm going to read James 3 starting in verse 2. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man. Also able to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouth of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole body as well. Look at the ships also. They though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directly wrecks. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire. And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, and reptile and sea creature can be tamed, and has been tamed by mankind. But no human being can be tame, can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth comes blessing and cursing, my brothers. These things ought not be so does a spring, do spring pour forth from the same Opening both of fresh and salt water. Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives or a grape vine, produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. So I feel like that kind of sums up like everything we've talked about and everything we've said. If you are someone, and this is kind of when I went back to the integrity of something. If you're someone and your words like bless the Lord, you are worshiping God, you are a believer in Christ, you've confessed Jesus, Lord and Savior of your life, and then you were to cuss people or you like, that doesn't line up. Those two things do not go hand in hand. That's like fresh water and salt water. Evil treasure should not be coming out of a good heart. You know, know from the heart, so the mouth shall speak. The good treasures you put in, so the good treasures, treasures are going to come out. So I do think it is a direct call to Christians to tame our tongue, to watch what we say, to put in the right kind of things and those kind of things are going to come out. It says in the Word so often too. Like, our word should bless the Lord. You know, like, think about the psalms, like the blessings and the worship and all that kind of stuff. It should be worthy of the calling we've been called to walk in. So, yeah, they. It does matter. It should feel weird when words like that come out of your mouth. It shouldn't feel right. You should go, oh, that wasn't right. That. That didn't feel right. Maybe repent for it. Say, God, I'm sorry. Carry on. Try to be better. It shouldn't just become a casual thing in our lifestyle as a Christian.

[Christian Huff]

Yeah, I think that's so good. I think y'all summed it up really well.

[Sadie Robertson]

I'll just. I wasn't going to say this, but, yeah, I think we're all called to live above approach. That's what Paul tells Timothy. And two, if you finish listening to this and. And you still do not think cussing is wrong, that's fine. That's your opinion. That's great. But I just would challenge you because I think sometimes it can maybe be a slippery slope to where you look up and a simple thought like that, it does impact what you listen to, what you watch. Because if you say that's not a sin and then you look up and you're watching things that are inappropriate, then I think they can end up infiltrating your life and end up being a bigger thing in the music that you listen to. So I think sometimes it is bigger than just, are the words wrong? It's more so, like by you saying the words aren't wrong, you're into putting in. Putting things in your life that aren't beneficial or healthy.

[Bella Robertson]

Back to what you said earlier. I think if you don't think your pastor should say it, you shouldn't say it. You know, like, if you're like, oh, that's weird that my pastor is saying that, and then. But I'm saying it. It's like you're called to be a minister of the Gospel too. So you're actually called to the same thing that your pastor is called to. Your ambassadors of Christ, you are a disciple of him. You have confessed Jes. With your tongue as the Lord and Savior of your life. And so if you don't think he should do it, he shouldn't do it either. It's a good place to fall. But I think this is a good.

[Christian Huff]

Study, just one more scripture about, you know, the importance of our words. And so I do think that, like, this is important conversation because words do matter. And there's a lot of scripture that kind of backs that up. But this is Matthew 15, and it says it's not what goes into the mouth that defies a person. This is talking about, you know, there's all this debate at that time period about, like, what you could eat or what, or whatever. And it's like, it's not what goes into the mouth, it's what comes out that defies a person, what comes out of the mouth. So what comes out actually does really matter. It goes on to say, do you not say that whatever goes into the stomach, into the mouth, passes into the stomach and expelled. Great thought. But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart. And this is what defiles a person. For out of the heart comes evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, and slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands is not defile anyone. And so I think that, yeah, it's just. We're back to the heart. You know, it's like what comes out of you, whether it's obscenity or anger or swearing or using the Lord's name in vain or any of that is like. It is. It's a fruit of what is coming out of you. So if you. If you work on your heart and try to align your heart with the Spirit of God, with, you know, the fruits of his spirit, and then that's what will come out.

[Sadie Robertson]

Great that's good.

[Bella Robertson]

So good.