I used to not understand why unbelievers curse in God’s name or blame God for things going wrong in their lives.
- If you don’t believe there is a God, why do you blame that non-existent God for bad things?
- If you don’t believe there is a God, why do you use his name as the final answer?
- If you don’t believe in an afterlife, why is that non-existent place your ultimate threat?
When people take oaths, they base their oaths on someone greater than themselves. Their oaths guarantee what they say and end all arguments. (Hebrews 6:16 GWT)
Every time I have ever heard anyone curse, “God damn it” or “Jesus Christ” they mean that’s my final answer, end of discussion, period. Curiously, I have never heard anyone curse in the name of any other deity. Only Jesus Christ and God.
When I tried to understand this,
it was too painful for me;
Until I entered God’s sanctuary,
and considered their latter end.
Surely you set them in slippery places.
You throw them down to destruction.
How they are suddenly destroyed!
They are completely swept away with terrors. (Psalm 73:16-19 WEB)
Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. (Romans 1:21 NLT)
Now, when I hear someone curse in God’s name, I know that person is desperately trying to reject God. Therefore, instead of getting angry, I am filled with compassion. They need to know that God loves them. Otherwise, if they continue rejecting God, someday he will let them have their way, and he will reject them too. That will be the ultimate final curse.
Everyone therefore who confesses me before men, him I will also confess before my Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies me before men, him I will also deny before my Father who is in heaven. (Mathew 10:32-33 WEB)
He who comes from above is above all. He who is from the Earth belongs to the Earth, and speaks of the Earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. What he has seen and heard, of that he testifies; and no one receives his witness. He who has received his witness has set his seal to this, that God is true. For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for God gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand. One who believes in the Son has eternal life, but one who disobeys the Son won’t see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” (John 3:31-36 WEB)
Then he will say also to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you didn’t give me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink; I was a stranger, and you didn’t take me in; naked, and you didn’t clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’ “Then they will also answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and didn’t help you?’ “Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Most certainly I tell you, inasmuch as you didn’t do it to one of the least of these, you didn’t do it to me.’ These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Matthew 25:41-46 WEB)
But it doesn’t have to end there because that is not God’s plan for your life. You can repent of your sins. You can change your destination.
Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? (Ezekiel 33:11 KJV)
The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but is patient with us, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9 WEB)