Cursing, or using foul language and profanity, is a common issue that many Christians struggle with. Though culture today is saturated with crass words and vulgarity, the Bible offers clear guidance on how followers of Christ should use their tongues.
Here is an overview of some key Bible passages that address cursing and offer perspective on how Christians should speak:
Exodus 20:7 – Do Not Misuse God’s Name
In the Ten Commandments, God instructs His people: “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.” Using God’s name flippantly, as a curse word, or in a careless manner is expressly forbidden. This commandment teaches that God’s name is to be treated with reverence.
Ephesians 4:29 – Let No Unwholesome Talk Come From Your Mouth
Paul exhorts believers to be careful in how they speak: “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Here, cursing and unwholesome language is set in opposition to speech that builds up others. Christians are called to speak in a way that benefits those who listen.
Ephesians 5:4 – No Obscenity, Foolish Talk or Coarse Joking
In this passage, Paul instructs Christians to avoid certain types of speech: “Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.” Obscenities, foolish talk, and vulgar joking have no place in the Christ-follower’s speech. Rather, Christians are called to speak wisely and offer thanks.
Colossians 3:8 – Put Away Filthy Language
Echoing the sentiment of Ephesians 5:4, Paul teaches the Colossian church: “But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.” Here, cursing and filthy language are listed alongside other sins that Christians are commanded to avoid. Foul speech should have no place in the life of a believer.
James 3:9-12 – Bless and Curse Not From the Same Mouth
In his practical epistle, James argues that cursing is inconsistent for the believer: “With [the tongue] we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.” The mouth of the Christian should offer blessing, not profanity.
Matthew 15:11 – It’s Not What Enters the Mouth That Defiles
In response to the Pharisees’ obsession with hand-washing and ceremonial cleanliness, Jesus teaches that moral purity is not a matter of external ritual: “What comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.” Later in Matthew 15:18-20, Jesus explains further: “But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person.” Here, Jesus traces cursing and sinful speech back to the corrupt human heart.
Proverbs 21:23 – Guard Your Mouth and Tongue
The wisdom writings of Proverbs often warn against hasty, uncontrolled speech: “Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.” Self-controlled speech marks wisdom, while loose lips demonstrate folly. The one who guards his tongue guards his soul.
Romans 3:13-14 – Their Mouths Are Full of Cursing and Bitterness
In his indictment of human sin, Paul references Psalm 5:9, saying of humanity’s natural state: “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive. The venom of asps is under their lips. Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” Here, cursing is associated with the depravity of the human heart apart from the grace of God.
Ephesians 5:12 – It is Shameful Even to Speak of the Things They Do in Secret
Paul again confronts foul language, arguing that certain speech is so crass that it shouldn’t even be mentioned: “For it is shameful even to speak of the things that [the disobedient] do in secret.” Some talk is so unwholesome that it should not cross the lips of a Christian.
Exodus 22:28 – Do Not Curse a Ruler of Your People
Along with avoiding God’s name as a curse word, the Old Testament taught respect for authority: “You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.” Though not referencing cursing per se, this verse prohibits speaking curses against those in leadership.
Leviticus 24:15-16 – Whoever Blasphemes the Name of the Lord Shall Be Put to Death
Under the Old Covenant, the penalty for blaspheming God’s name was severe: “Whoever blasphemes the name of the LORD shall surely be put to death. The whole congregation shall stone him.” Though no longer in effect, this law displays how seriously God takes honor and reverence for His name.
Matthew 12:36-37 – By Your Words You Will Be Justified
Jesus solemnly warns that all our words have implications before God: “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” The way we speak matters greatly.
While we no longer live under the Old Testament law, these and other Bible passages demonstrate how seriously God takes our speech. Christians are called to guard their tongues, avoid profanity and coarse talk, and to speak in a way that builds up others. Though all fall short, the Holy Spirit empowers believers to honor God with their mouths.
Psalms 10:7 – Cursing, Lies, and Threats are Under His Tongue
David describes the wicked: “His mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression; under his tongue are mischief and iniquity.” Foul language here is associated with deceit, malice, and troublemaking.
Romans 12:14 – Bless Those who Persecute You; Do Not Curse Them
Paul instructs believers to return good for evil, saying: “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.” Rather than reviling opponents, Christians are called to offer blessings.
Psalm 109:17 – He Loved to Curse; Let the Curses Come Back on Him
This imprecatory Psalm calls down punishment on the psalmist’s enemies: “He loved to pronounce a curse–may it come back on him. He found no pleasure in blessing–may it be far from him.” The writer seeks God’s justice against those who delight in cursing others.
Proverbs 15:1 – A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath
Solomon advises that measured, wise speech can prevent relational conflict: “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Thoughtful, careful language can diffuse tension rather than escalating through profane speech.
Romans 3:13-14 – Venom of Asps Under Their Lips
Paul references Psalm 140:3 when he writes: “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways, and the way of peace they do not know. There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Here cursing is again linked with sinful human corruption.
Exodus 20:7 – Do Not Misuse the Name of the Lord Your God
The third of the Ten Commandments instructs: “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” Using God’s name irreverently or as a curse word is forbidden in both Old and New Testaments.
Ephesians 4:29 – Unwholesome Talk
Paul writes: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Believers are exhorted to avoid unwholesome speech including cursing, instead speaking what edifies others.
Exodus 22:28 – Do Not Curse the Judge
Along with avoiding using God’s name flippantly, the Old Testament prohibited cursing those in authority: “Do not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people.” Respect for leaders is paired alongside reverence for the Lord.
2 Kings 2:23-24 – Elisha Curses the Youths
When confronted with ridicule, the prophet Elisha cursed a group of youths in the Lord’s name: “As he was walking along the road, some boys came out of the town and jeered at him. ‘Get out of here, baldy!’ they said. He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the Lord. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys.” Though severe, this shows the power of cursing in the Lord’s name.
Proverbs 26:2 – Curse Without Cause
Solomon warns: “Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest.” Those who freely curse others without cause or reason will encounter trouble.
Romans 12:14 – Bless and Do Not Curse
Paul instructs the church in Rome: “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” When faced with opposition, the Christian response is to speak blessings, not curses.
In summary, the Bible contains many exhortations against cursing and foul language while promoting wholesome, uplifting speech that benefits others. Christians are called to guard their tongues and to reverence both God and those in authority by avoiding profanity. By God’s grace, believers can reflect the new life they have in Christ through pure and peace-pursuing speech.