As Christians, our actions and words should reflect the teachings of Christ, inspiring us to keep our speech pure and edifying to others. Cussing, due to its negative connotations and potential to harm others, is often discouraged through several Bible verses for these reasons.
What the Bible Says About the Use of Language
The Bible firmly underlines the need for believers to choose their words carefully. It alerts us that our tongues hold the power of life and death over our relationships, others’ self-perceptions, and attitudes. Harsh words and cussing can hurt others, degrade their value, and damage our witness as followers of Christ. Instead, the Bible advises Christians to speak words that bring healing, peace, and comfort. From these teachings, we can deduce that indulging in cussing is contradicting the Bible’s counsel on the ideal use of language.
Why Cussing is Disparaged in the Bible
Cussing is typically disparaged in the Bible because it can create an environment of disrespect and harm. Cussing can reflect poorly on a Christian’s character, promote negativity, and lead to disunity among believers and non-believers alike. Furthermore, cussing, in its essence, is often associated with expressing anger, contempt, disrespect, or profanity. All of these are highlighted as contrary to the virtues of love, kindness, and humility promoted by Christ’s teachings.
Where the Bible Advises on Communication
The Bible advises on communication in several instances, instructing believers to maintain purity, honesty, and kindness in their language. While it does not specifically name cussing, the Bible does warn against corrupt, slanderous, and harmful speech. Generally, the Bible promotes words that encourage, construct, and uplift others. It teaches that our words should reflect God’s love, exude respect, and bring unity among believers, all of which cussing does not typically do. Therefore, the avoidance of cussing aligns with the Bible’s guidance on wholesome communication.
When Cussing is Considered Against Biblical Teachings
Cussing can be considered against Biblical teachings when it undermines respect, causes harm or discord, or fails to glorify God. The Bible places great emphasis on kindness, love, and unity that should be reflected in our interactions, including communication. When cussing emerges, potentially resulting in disrespectful or scornful speech, it would be contrary to the principles taught in the Bible.
Who Should be Concerned with Cussing According to the Bible
From the Bible’s perspective, everyone, particularly those who desire to follow Christ’s teachings, should be concerned with cussing and endeavor to abstain from it. As believers, how we speak can strongly impact our witness to non-believers and our relationships with fellow Christians. Therefore, avoiding cussing is not only about personal discipline but also about representing Christ’s teachings to the world effectively. To put it succinctly, cussing is discouraged in the Bible as it contradicts the standards of love, respect, and kindness intrinsic to Christian teaching.
Below is the full list of bible verses on cussing (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 Cussing
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 Cursing
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 Cursing Anger
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 Abuse Cursing Profanity
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.”
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
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
Romans 12:2
“2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Related Themes: Complaining Lust Creativity Attitude Business
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
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 8:13
“13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.”
Hosea 4:2
“2 By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.”
Philippians 4:8
“8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Related Themes: Lust Gossip Attitude Complaining
1 Peter 1:15
“15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;”
Related Themes: Holiness Lust Life Glorification
Matthew 5:37
“37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.”
Related Themes: Telling The Truth Honesty Sarcasm Consistency Leadership
Psalm 141:3
“3 Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.”
Related Themes: Gossip Communication Silence Self-Control Speech
Hebrews 10:26
“26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,”
Related Themes: Hell Sin Compromise Apostasy Sacrifice
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 Cursing
Ecclesiastes 7:21-22
“21 Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:22 For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.”
Proverbs 4:23
“23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
Related Themes: Dating Lust Creativity Heart Life
1 Corinthians 12:3
“3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.”
Related Themes: Omnipotence Holy Spirit
Titus 3:2
“2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.”
Related Themes: Gossip Humility Judging Others Gentleness Meekness
Proverbs 12:16
“16 A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.”
Related Themes: Arguing Insults Self-Control Anger Annoying People
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.”
Luke 12:10
“10 And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.”
Related Themes: Blasphemy Omnipotence
Exodus 21:15-17
“15 And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death.16 And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.17 And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.”
Related Themes: Respecting Your Parents Killing
1 Samuel 20:30
“30 Then Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother’s nakedness?”
Matthew 5:33-37
“33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.”
Psalm 109:28
“28 Let them curse, but bless thou: when they arise, let them be ashamed; but let thy servant rejoice.”
Ecclesiastes 7:9
“9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.”
Related Themes: Patience Bitterness Frustration Anger Letting Go
Proverbs 11:9-18
“9 An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.12 He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellers there is safety.15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.16 A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.”
Related Themes: Gossip Reaping Reputation Hypocrisy Slander
