Does the Bible Really Say That?: Discovering Catholic Teaching in Scripture by Patrick Madrid Read Free Book Online

this song was a clear if seemingly benign example of taking the Lord’s name in vain—something God commanded us not to do: “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain” (Exodus 20:7; see Deuteronomy 5:11).
    But beyond sappy song lyrics lies the larger problem of what in former days was known as “impure speech”—the use of profanity and blasphemy. And it’s a widespread failing. Many people imagine that the way they speak is of no lasting importance in God’s eyes, but they are sadly mistaken.
    We can divide the problem of impure speech into two categories: profanity, which is the use of crude swear words, and blasphemy, which is the use of swear words in combination with God’s name.
    The Catechism explains that blasphemy offends against the second commandment by expressing, in thoughts or words, any form of contempt or mockery toward God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the saints, the Church, the sacraments, sacred images, or other sacred things. Because the Lord is all holy, any intentional insult to him or his name is a mortal sin (see CCC , 2148, 2150). Scripture condemns those who blaspheme the name of Jesus by which we are called to the Father (James 2:7).
    In the Old Testament, blaspheming God, even just by using his name in vain in casual conversation, was punishable by death (Leviticus 24:15–16).
    The Bible is clear that it is not acceptable for Christians (indeed, for anyone) to use profanity. We should strive to be pure in thought, word and deed, both because profanity and blasphemy offend God and can be a mortal sin, and because such speech is the sure sign of a spiritually (not to mention socially) immature person. True spiritual maturity leaves no room for crude and blasphemous language.
    Saint Paul taught us that “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8). And Christ pointed to our need for pure speech when he exhorted us to “be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).
    Consider these other scriptural warnings on this theme:
    Mark 7:20–23   “What comes out of a man is what defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, fornication, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a man.”
    Isaiah 6:5–7  “And I said: ‘Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the L ord of hosts!’
    Then flew one of the seraphim to me, having in his hand a burning coal which he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth, and said: ‘Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin forgiven.’”
    Sirach 27:11–14   “The talk of the godly man is always wise, / but the fool changes like the moon. / Among stupid people watch for a chance to leave, / but among thoughtful people stay on. / The talk of fools is offensive, / and their laughter is wantonly sinful. / The talk of men given to swearing makes one’s hair stand on end, / and their quarrels make a man stop his ears.”
    James 3:6–12   “And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is an unrighteous world among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the cycle of nature, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by humankind, but no human being can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brethren, this ought not to be