When it comes to the subject of swearing, you’ve probably heard that it’s something best not done. In some cases, you listened to the advice of others, allowing it to go in one ear and out the other. It’s not just your parents or grandparents that discourage swearing. George Washington wrote a letter to his troops at Valley Forge on this topic.
In the letter he stated, “The General is sorry to be informed that the foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing, a vice is hitherto little known in our American Army is growing into fashion. He hopes that the officers will, by example as well as influence, endeavor to check it and that both they and the men will reflect that we can little hope of the blessing of Heaven on our army if we insult it by our impiety and folly. Added to this it is a vice so mean and low without any temptation that every man of sense and character detests and despises it.”
I suppose the modern American army is a far cry from Washington’s army. Things have definitely changed. Today’s army allows swearing along with lipstick and fingernail polish.
Swearing was also a problem back in the times of the Essenes. They made the astute observation that some used swearing as a way of making others think they are more serious in their commitment. They went so far as to write down “he who cannot be believed without swearing is already condemned.”
Although it’s been discouraged, the practice of swearing continues. One place it abounds is with cheaters. Cheaters would rather use threats, insults and profanity when caught. It’s usually a sign of their lack of character or integrity. There are also the claims of “I swear…” in denying some aspect of what happened.
They may not be swearing in the form of cuss words, instead, they swear things to you. One reader wrote concerning his cheating wife “She promised and swore that she wasn’t like my ex wife and ex gf, just to turn out just like them.”
When a cheater resorts to swearing in order to make themselves believable, you’ve got a problem on your hands. They already know you can’t believe them, yet they resort to swearing as a way of making whatever they said or promised more believable.
In the end, swearing is a sign of weakness. It’s nothing more than a form of manipulation and should be avoided when possible. If someone must swear to make something believable, chances are it’s not true in the first place.
Swearing doesn’t make it more believable. What does make them more believable are honesty, truth, and commitment. In the video “How Can I Trust You Again?”, I show you how these qualities are what makes them trustworthy rather than swearing does.
Swearing really is a bad habit. It would help your marriage more if there was more honesty, trust and truth. Swearing at each other may make the cheater sound more sincere, yet you need something solid rather than more promises.
Rather than fall for their false promises, swearing and other ploys, download the video and start making real changes in you and your marriage.
Keeping It Real,
Jeff Murrah
