God is Bigger Than Your Shit

For those to whom the word “shit” is like a slap in the face, I would like to address your concerns. Some of you may just be looking for a fight. You may have an unaccountable degree of vitriole in your soul and simply need an outlet. You may feel the need to call me names, to accuse me of rampant sin in my life, and proclaim that I am a wolf in sheep’s clothing. To you, I have very little to say except I hope you feel better soon.

But some of you, I believe, will have legitimate confusion over the fact that I chose a “curse word” to put in the title of my *Christian blog*. Please know that I am committed to shutting this thing down the very MOMENT I hear from the Lord that He is displeased with it. I have prayed for wisdom and discernment, I have laid myself out before our Creator God and asked for His honest opinion. I pray for ears awake to His voice. I continue to do so daily.

Some scriptures that may come to mind are Romans 12:14 which straight-up says “do not curse”,  Ephesians 4:29 and 5:4 which speak against unwholesome words, possibly Colossians 3:8 which admonishes against abusive speech, and even the 3rd commandment as revealed in Exodus 20:7, which has sometimes been generally construed as applying to all profanity.

I will endeaver to look at each of these scriptures and express how I feel they do or do not apply to the word in my blog title. This is not my attempt to rationalize; if I have a blind spot to sin I want to know about it so I can turn it over to the Lord, and He knows how truly I mean that. This page is not an opportunity for me to excuse myself from judgement, it is rather a place to hash out why I think the word “shit” is not only okay but warranted in this circumstance. It also is not a place where I will strive to change YOUR mind, but to let you know that I have examined myself and His holy Word and am not using the word lightly, in jest, or, as they say in my neck of the words, out of sheer orneryness.

Romans 12: 14 (NASB) states “Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse.” This scripture is one sentence in a long list of descriptions regarding how to live in Christian love towards one another. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep, and so forth. “Curse” in this scripture refers to An expression of contempt or malediction for someone. That is, to someone who wishes us ill we are to wish them the opposite, we are to pray that God rains blessings down upon their heads even as they hate, malign, and hurt us. In this context “do not curse” does not apply to an isolated, descriptive noun, but to an entire attitude of hatefulness towards someone that finds its outlet in wishing them harm.

Ephesians 4:29 (NASB) teaches ”Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according for the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” This is a verse that is close to my heart. How hard is it to make sure that NO unwholesome word proceeds out of our mouths? I freely admit that I am not master over my own tongue and fail in this area often. However, with regards to the blog title, I do not see “shit” as an unwholesome word. It is an honest word used to aptly describe the filth that we wallow in when we refuse to turn our darkened hearts and minds over to the One who can redeem them and use them for His glory. My entire mission for this blog is for it to fulfill the second half of this verse; to be edifying to others, to speak to the needs of the moment, and to point the way to grace for whomever reads. If ever this world had need of truth, it’s now. I believe the title of my blog speaks the truth. The darkness obscuring God from our lives is not poo poo, poop, doo doo, or even crap. It’s shit. Excrement comes close to working, but wow, that’s a long word.

Eph 5:4 (NIV) admonishes “nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving” Here we have the word “obscenity” or, as it is translated in the NASB “filthiness”. Now, obviously shit is filthy. That’s kind of my point. In this scripture the Holy Spirit through Paul is taking issue with the fact that the Ephesians’ conversations apparently had a tendency to go a little sideways when they got together. Sometimes the word “obscenity” or “filthiness” is translated “obscene stories” and “dirty stories”, which further sheds light on their habits. This blog is not 101 dirty jokes, or erotica.

Colossians 3:8 (NASB) “but now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth” Other translations have “abusive speech” written as “filthy language”, “dirty language”, and “filthy communication”, but all of them imply that this is discourse proceeding because of the aforementioned vices. Anger, wrath, malice, and slander ALL lead to abusive, dirty words. If you feel those things towards someone, your lips will follow suit in framing just exactly how to sum them up. We are to put those things aside, and put on love.

Exodus 20:7 (NASB) “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain” (etc) This scripture refers to cursing using God’s name. That would include “God”, “Jesus”, “Christ”, and any other expression of His Holy Title. In any configuration. Combined with any other words. Used in frustration, anger, fright, or fear. If it ain’t a prayer, it just ain’t okay, and I ain’t doin’ it. Ever.

Finally, here is a link that I think is extremely interesting on the topic: http://godisbiggerthanyourshit.com/?p=246

That’s all I got. I’m grateful for the chance to examine these scriptures and I welcome more if you should have them. I continue to be convinced and convicted that if we all would view the shit in our souls with the same abhorrence that we give the physical shit we step in on the sidewalk, we would be on our faces before God Almighty hourly. If you find the word repugnant, how much more does our Heavenly Father long to wash the real deal off our hearts and minds?