Daily Devotions
One Reason Why Cursing Is Wrong
Reading for December 21st: James 1-5
...no human being can tame the tongue... With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.
James 3:8-9
What's wrong with cursing? One way to answer that question is that cursing people is another way of dishonoring God. Obviously, taking God's name in vain is blasphemy and is a sin. But the first commandment (Love God) is closely connected to the second commandment (Love your neighbor) because our neighbor is made in the image of God. If we curse our neighbor, then we are showing contempt for the One in whose image they were created.
And I believe this principle can be extended beyond cursing to the sin of gossip as well. Anytime we spread malicious rumors, hurtful gossip, or say anything that is disrespectful of another, we're guilty of the same sin.
Father God, guard our lips from wicked words and our heart from evil thoughts about our neighbor.
