Cursing and blasphemy
Words that establish contempt, accusation, and resistance toward God
Point of discernment
In the CURSING group, the Hammonds associate cursing with blasphemy, coarse jesting, gossip, faultfinding, backbiting, mockery, and railing. Derek Prince likewise stresses the spiritual weight of the tongue: words may bless, or they may sustain rebellion, accusation, and destruction. The issue is not one slip of the tongue but an established manner of speech to which a person continues to give place.
Present pattern
Habitual swearing, blasphemy, cursing, gossip, backbiting, coarse jesting, mockery, faultfinding, or using words to demean others or oneself.
Possible root
Anger, pride, jealousy, resentment, a desire to dominate, imitation of one’s environment, or pain expressed through destructive speech. The Hammonds’ list does not identify one root.
Effect
Wounded relationships, an atmosphere of accusation, established contempt, shame, broken trust, and spiritual insensitivity to the weight of one’s words.
Discernment without accusation
Discern an established pattern and conscious agreement, not one word spoken under pressure. Telling the truth about harm and seeking protection is not cursing.
Spiritual response
Confess personal sinful speech; forgive those who wounded through words; revoke spoken curses; renounce the spirit of blasphemy, cursing, mockery, gossip, and accusation; repair harm where possible; yield the tongue to Jesus and begin deliberately to speak truth and blessing.
Sources
Sources: Frank and Ida Mae Hammond, “Pigs in the Parlor” — CURSING; Derek Prince’s teaching on the tongue, blessing, and cursing. Related: accusation, faultfinding, and resentment.