The Bible warns Christians about the power of words and the potential negative consequences of flippant or harmful speech. It advises that one’s language reflects the condition of their heart, hence promoting the application of thoughtful, respectful, and loving communication. Cursing, in this context, usually involves invoking harm upon others or using disrespectful, profane language.
What the Bible Advises About Cursing
The Bible strongly discourages the practice of cursing. It implies that words have power and that we should use them to encourage and uplift rather than to harm or demean. In many verses, the Bible speaks about the tongue’s potential to cause harm and suggests significant caution when choosing our words. The Bible conveys that those who resort to cursing are likely straying from the path of righteousness and that they may even incur judgement for their words.
Why Cursing Is Discouraged in the Bible
The Bible discourages cursing for several reasons. One of the principal reasons lies in the belief that humans are made in the likeness of God. Therefore, to curse another person would essentially be an act of disrespect towards Him. The Bible emphasizes the value of every human being and advocates that words should be used constructively, promoting love and respect for one another rather than casting insults or invoking harm. The Bible also views cursing as a reflection of one’s internal spiritual condition. Thus, resorting to such language may suggest disconnection or distance from God’s teachings.
Who Can Be Affected By Cursing
According to the Bible, everybody can be affected by cursing. The one who curses can harm their spiritual well-being by deviating from the path of love, empathy, and respect taught by the Bible. Those who are cursed can be emotionally hurt by the distressing words. Further, a person who witnesses cursing might either imitate the negative behavior or become demoralized by the unkind conversation. Therefore, the Bible’s teachings against cursing are intended to foster an environment of love and respect for all.
When Cursing Is Discussed in the Bible
Cursing is discussed in several contexts in the Bible. It is discussed in the context of relationships, implying how one’s words can impact others’ well-being. Moreover, the issue of cursing is not confined to any particular part of the Bible but is scattered throughout both testaments, suggesting a timeless lesson of maintaining respectful and encouraging communication. The instructions against cursing in the Bible persistently remind us of our responsibility to display love and respect in the language we use, both towards ourselves and others.
Below is the full list of bible verses on cursing (King James Version – KJV). The list is ranked in order of popularity and we hope you find the inspiration you need.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Cursing
Ephesians 4:29
“29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
Related Themes: Gossip Criticism Complaining Judging Others
Ephesians 5:4
“4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.”
James 1:26
“26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.”
Related Themes: Gossip Bitterness Hypocrisy Judging Others
James 3:8-10
“8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.”
Related Themes: Gossip
Colossians 3:8
“8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.”
Related Themes: Bitterness Gossip Frustration Anger
Luke 6:28
“28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.”
Related Themes: Vindictiveness
Colossians 4:6
“6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”
Related Themes: Gossip Communication Understanding Boundaries
Romans 12:14
“14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.”
Related Themes: Persecution Enemies Suffering Vindictiveness
Exodus 20:7
“7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.”
Matthew 15:18-20
“18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.”
Related Themes: Lying Heart Reputation Communication
Matthew 15:11
“11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.”
Psalm 109:17
“17 As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him.”
Proverbs 18:21
“21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
Related Themes: Gossip Life New Life Self-Control Attitude
Matthew 15:10-11
“10 And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.”
1 Peter 3:10
“10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:”
Related Themes: Telling The Truth Honesty Life Peace
James 3:10
“10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.”
Related Themes: Reputation Cussing Abuse Profanity
Leviticus 20:9
“9 For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be upon him.”
Related Themes: Respecting Your Parents Killing Morals Parents
2 Kings 2:23-24
“23 And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.24 And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.”
Luke 6:45
“45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.”
Related Themes: Abundance Heart Slander Peer Pressure
James 5:12
“12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.”
Related Themes: Telling The Truth Education Oaths Idleness Swearing
Matthew 5:22
“22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.”
Related Themes: Frustration Hell Lust Attitude Love
2 Timothy 2:16
“16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.”
Related Themes: Gossip Arguing Communication Preaching Vanity
Proverbs 15:1
“1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”
Related Themes: Arguing Criticism Bitterness Criticism Gossip
Proverbs 21:23
“23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.”
Related Themes: Gossip Resolving Conflict Arguing Self-Control
Psalm 109:18
“18 As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment, so let it come into his bowels like water, and like oil into his bones.”
Related Themes: Water
Leviticus 24:15
“15 And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin.”
Matthew 12:36
“36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.”
Related Themes: Gossip Idleness Fighting Slander Accountability
Leviticus 19:14
“14 Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumblingblock before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I am the LORD.”
Related Themes: Business Discrimination
Numbers 23:8
“8 How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the LORD hath not defied?”
