Sheesh! I never expected the backlash I’d receive from my post about “Cussing to God”. I wrote it out of an honest moment between my wife and I…desiring to be super real with God. I realize, though, some people might have been shocked that I suggested you could cuss while praying to God. So here’s a little more food for thought.
1. I’m not a fan of cussing. I don’t get bent out of shape when people do. I’ve personally been convicted that cussing has no business in my vocabulary. But if it’s in your heart and you’re “hiding that from God”…you aren’t fooling anyone. He knows what’s in your heart. If it’s in your heart you can express it to Him.
2. I don’t think you should be irreverent to God. But I don’t think that should mean you are fake with Him either. David, Moses, Job…they prayed some pretty vicious prayers to God. They accused Him of some serious stuff. Our respect for God should not keep us from “confronting Him” when we don’t understand. Hiding our feelings from God can lead to resentment when we don’t let Him defend Himself. Plus we can sometimes delude ourselves into thinking we’re more holy than we are.
3. Cussing to God should lead to conviction. God will convict you if your heart is speaking vulgarity. Asaph, Psalm 73, was convicted for his accusations to God: “Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. I was so foolish and ignorant – I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.” When we open our heart…the deepest parts…God can shed light on bits that need to be conformed to His image.
4. A good father wants honesty over respect. Ideally you should offer both to your father. But when I approach my dad, he’d prefer I express my frustrations rather than hold back. Our relationships isn’t whole if my respect keeps me from honesty. And that was the whole point of the post.
God desires our honesty. We are in a relationship with the Father. Relationships aren’t always comfortable. But in those uncomfortable moments they are tested and strengthened.
I urge you. Be honest with God. He isn’t threatened by it. He longs for it.
I love this post and your last. God longs for me as I am. I don’t cuss naturally, but from time to time it happens. If I am supposed to pray continuously, and am aware that God’s presence is around me at all times (and not just at church) then wouldn’t God hear me and want to hear me the genuine, broken, beaten and searching servant?
Thanks for sharing.
I love this post and your last. God longs for me as I am. I don’t cuss naturally, but from time to time it happens. If I am supposed to pray continuously, and am aware that God’s presence is around me at all times (and not just at church) then wouldn’t God hear me and want to hear me the genuine, broken, beaten and searching servant?
Thanks for sharing.
First off. The original post was spot on. And this post confirms it. I did some traveling with a worship team and we did evangelism in various cities in various ways. There was a time in Philadelphia that my leader was praying with a man in the park. It was the purest, most honest, and most sincere prayer I’ve ever heard someone say. Crying his eyes out he said “God I’m just f&@$ up, please help me to get rid of this s$&@”. So I agree; don’t hide it from God cause hes not dumb. But in the end he will shed light on our ignorance and help us lift it. Great post!!
First off. The original post was spot on. And this post confirms it. I did some traveling with a worship team and we did evangelism in various cities in various ways. There was a time in Philadelphia that my leader was praying with a man in the park. It was the purest, most honest, and most sincere prayer I’ve ever heard someone say. Crying his eyes out he said “God I’m just f&@$ up, please help me to get rid of this s$&@”. So I agree; don’t hide it from God cause hes not dumb. But in the end he will shed light on our ignorance and help us lift it. Great post!!
I would like to say that I was somewhat taken aback by your blog. Then as I thought on it God brought back to mind the time I was struggling with depression. My mom kept telling me, “Tell God how mad you are. He knows so just talk to him about it.” I was not honest with Him about my sadness and hurt because I thought He will strike me down or punish me. However, my heavenly Father was so patient and loving with me when I finally fell apart. I yelled to Him and cried out to him and then His loving mercy swept over me. He showed me how he had been there through everything and protected my family. So I understand where you are coming from. Keep working on being honest with God and thank you for your honesty in your Blog.
I would like to say that I was somewhat taken aback by your blog. Then as I thought on it God brought back to mind the time I was struggling with depression. My mom kept telling me, “Tell God how mad you are. He knows so just talk to him about it.” I was not honest with Him about my sadness and hurt because I thought He will strike me down or punish me. However, my heavenly Father was so patient and loving with me when I finally fell apart. I yelled to Him and cried out to him and then His loving mercy swept over me. He showed me how he had been there through everything and protected my family. So I understand where you are coming from. Keep working on being honest with God and thank you for your honesty in your Blog.
+1 for honesty. Even if it involves cussing.
+1 for honesty. Even if it involves cussing.