I don’t know how it started, but my cursing has gotten worse

Last updated on September 24, 2020

Question:

It’s just getting worse every day. I’m cursing! I don’t know how, why or when it all started, but it’s just freely coming out. I’m trying to stop but it seems like there’s no end to it.

Answer:

Cursing has two main sources: One, if you listen to a lot of cursing, you end up picking it up. You can’t control what other people do, but you can control some things that go into your ears. Think about the music and shows you are watching and how much cursing is in them. Things with lots of cursing are best not listened to. Two, people tend to use cursing as a way of expressing anger. Here, too, you have control. Words aren’t going to fix your anger. Cursing won’t calm you down, it will only get you hotter. As odd as it might seem, the solution is to purposely find something nice to say about a person you can’t stand.

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:44-48).