Kings Kaleidoscope and the Use of Cuss Words

There is a great debate with Christians these days over the use of cuss words. Of all the things we can argue or disagree about, it is the use of our words. Is it appropriate for Christians to use them or not? Some would say depends on the circumstance while others say no.

We have heard stories of preachers using cuss words in their sermons. I personally not heard a sermon where the preacher cusses but I do have a friend that has been called the cussing evangelist because he has been known for using a cuss word or two in his sermons. There were stories of Mark Driscoll, during his preaching ministry at Mars Hill Church, dropping a f-bomb during a sermon.

The debate has become a little more, for lack of a better term, intense recently, but this time is pertains to the worship band Kings Kaleidoscope. Last week, they released an album that featured a song called, "A Prayer," where not one, but two f-bombs were used in the song. Here are those lyrics with the word edited out:

Will I fall or will I misstep?
Will I fall or will I misstep?
Will I call you with my last breathe?
Will you be there for me after?
Will I waste inside the silence
Where the fear is f***ing violent?
Wicked sinner thrown to lions
With no hope on the horizon
Will I fall or will I misstep?


If I fall or if I misstep
If I fall or if I misstep
If I call you with my last breath
Will you be there for me after?
Cause I'm wasting in this silence
And my fear is f***ing violent
I'm a child thrown to lions
Is there hope on the horizon?
If I fall or if I misstep

There have been some disagreements over Kings Kaleidoscope's usage of the word in this song. Some praised it, others rejected it, while others are on the fence wondering if this was appropriate or not. One person, who is a member of a worship band, said he hates when a Christian band cusses to become more edgy, raw, and authentic. Basically, he was not approving the song, but when on to say that he does cuss, however, he is mindful of his surroundings. That sounds like a little hypocritical like the preacher condemning gluttony yet looks like a sumo wrestler.

What was the purpose behind the song especially the usage of the cuss words? Spirit You All recently did an interview with Kings Kaleidoscope's frontman, Chad Gardner regarding their new album when the question about "A Prayer" came up:

Spirit You All: About half the Kings Kaleidoscope's fanbase is about to have a stroke because Beyond Control's second-to-last song, "A Prayer", has two f-words on it. Can you share the vision behind the song and the meaning?

CG: [laughs] Well, first I would say I think that for people who haven't actually listened to the record, or listened to that song, just listen to those last three songs in a row, and I think that it will be self-explanatory in terms of what is going on there. The short answer is, that song comes from the deepest part of my gut and my being, and the fear that I face throughout my life - I've had really severe anxiety disorder my whole life, and that's been a major part of my struggle and story. That song is about the fear of running from God or that God will turn his back on me and I will end up apart from him in hell. And the actual lyric is something that is from my journal - I don't know how everyone else has conversations with God, but I have very vulnerable conversations, and God already knows how afraid I am. I usually figure it's good for me to pour out my soul to him, and that's what that song is.

The choice to keep that original version, which is straight from off the top of my head, really, as well as the edited one... It took me a long time, and I really sought counsel and had a lot of conversations with pastor friends of mine and family. At the end of the day, that song is not going to impact somebody who has never felt that way anyways. So that song is there for people who have felt like me. And I know fear and Satan and death - the voice of all of that is not poetic, it's not thoughtful, it's not patient. It's aggressive and demanding and terrifying. And that's what came out of my heart because that's what I was hearing, and so that's what I chose to leave it in the song. It was to say, look, this is the reality of how we feel sometimes, and this is the reality of how God responds to that. And I just want people to know that that is life. It is freaking scary, and God talks to that and he speaks to us right where we are. At the same time, I know other people have different convictions theologically on language - obviously I don't have that conviction, otherwise I wouldn't have released it. [laughs] But I really respect that, and I know some people want to just buy the CD and be able to play it in their car without their kids hearing it. Some people have told me, "I don't care if my kids listen to that song at all" - the unedited version. But because I respect people, I want to have a different version for them, and that song - it's not really about that word, it's about the meaning and the bigger context, and I think if anything I'm trying to be vulnerable and have different types of people be able to engage with that song in a powerful way.

So I came to my label and said, "Okay, I think that I want to release a version of a song with an f-bomb in it. I want to do it in the most respectful way possible." [laughs] They were like, "What in the world?" Because most artists are trying to do shock jock or something, but there's none of that vibe for me. I'd say, I'm not trying to change anyone's mind about it or convince anyone of anything. I'm just trying to be honest and vulnerable. I think that's important in art, and important as a Christian. If there's any place that I can share my story and my testimony for what it really is, it should be the church at large. And that's what I'm doing.

While some may get Kings Kaleidoscope was not trying to be like some bands that cuss in almost every song, the debate is whether or not Christians should use cuss words. The Bible does tells us that obsence talk and unwholesome talk has no place with God's people (Colossians 3:8; Ephesians 4:29). Yet we also see in the book of Psalms the use of strong language such as asking God to wipe out the enemies of Israel. Jesus called the religious leaders of His day, brood of vipers and hypocrites. The Apostle Paul called those of the circumcision party, dogs who mutilate the flesh (Philippians 3:2). The term dog was not the same as today's, "What's up dawg?" It was not a nice term to be called and it was the same word the Jews used towards the Gentiles.

Think about your prayer life. How many times have to spoken to God about things you would not say to your pastor? Have you ever called a fellow believer who made you angry a S.O.B.? Has your language in prayer been strong as your approach the throne of grace? Some of you might say, "I would never say anything like that to God," yet you would cuss out the person who cut you off on the highway.

Here is the other debate, would you ever use this talk in public? In my dealings with people I would never drop f-bombs on people or use any other obsense talk with people. When my kids have asked me about the usage of a word, I tell them not to use that for whatever reason. When I am talking with a non-Christian, I expect them to cuss. When we speak with them, we should not be offended because they don't know what the Bible says about unwholesome talk.

Now, here comes the big question, was Kings Kaleidoscope wrong? I am sure they were wondering the same thing based on the interview. Chad did say, they sought council from pastors as well as family. I am not sure what was said, but I am sure there might have been some disagreements. I get the message the Kings Kaleidoscope was trying to communicate in "A Prayer," but I personally would not have used that particular language. I know this song will never be played during youth group meetings (Try explaining that one to your pastor).

While I would not have used that language, I am not throwing a stone at Kings Kaleidoscope either. I am not calling for Christians to boycott them because that would solve nothing although Christian bookstores might pull the album from their shelves which is nothing new for them. Christians who say they were wrong yet they cuss are no better than the religious leaders during Jesus's earthly ministry. I heard there is another version to that song which does not contain the two f-bombs. So, if you were offended by "A Prayer," there is a cleaner version of it.

If Kings Kaleidoscope was wrong in the usage of the explicit lyrics in their song, I know there is grace and forgiveness from God the Father and I believe their fans will extend to them forgiveness as well. By no means, should any of us question their faith in Christ. If you have read or listen to any interview with Kings Kaleidoscope, they are pretty solid in their faith and theology. Just because you may not agree with them in the usage of explicit lyrics, it does not mean they are less of a Christian.

I encourage all Christians to allow the Holy Spirit to examine their hearts when it comes to their language. Pray that God will give you wholesome words to say which "is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear" (Ephesians 4:29). King David prayed, "Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!" (Psalm 141:3) as well as, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer" (Psalm 19:14). Let this be our prayer to when it comes to the words we say.