Profanity, or abusive, vulgar, or irreverent language, is unfortunately common in our world today. Many people use profanity casually in conversation without much thought. However, the Bible has clear teachings showing God’s perspective on using unwholesome speech.
Here are some key Bible passages about profanity and unwholesome talk:
Ephesians 4:29 – Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths
“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.” (Ephesians 4:29)
This verse teaches that Christians should be very careful about the words they speak. There should be no unwholesome or vulgar talk. Instead, we should speak words that build others up and impart grace.
Ephesians 5:4 – Crude joking is out of place
“Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.” (Ephesians 5:4)
Here Paul instructs believers to avoid dirty or foolish talk and crude jokes. These things are inappropriate for followers of Christ. Rather, Christians should be focused on thanking God.
Colossians 3:8 – Put away filthy language
“But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.” (Colossians 3:8)
As part of putting aside the old self and putting on the new self in Christ, Christians are told explicitly to avoid obscene or filthy language.
James 3:10 – Blessing and cursing should not come from the same mouth
“From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.” (James 3:10)
James highlights the inconsistency of praising God while also using foul language. Both blessing and cursing should not be coming from the same mouth.
Exodus 20:7 – Do not take the Lord’s name in vain
“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.” (Exodus 20:7)
This is one of the Ten Commandments given to Moses. Using God’s name irreverently or as a curse word is clearly prohibited.
Matthew 12:36-37 – Every careless word will be judged
“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.” (Matthew 12:36-37)
Jesus warns that every single careless word will be judged on the day of judgment. This includes flippant use of God’s name or any other abusive speech.
Proverbs 4:24 – Put away crooked speech
“Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you.” (Proverbs 4:24)
Solomon wisely instructs people to avoid perverse, devious, or crooked speech. As followers of God, our speech should be pure and upright.
Psalm 19:14 – Let the words of my mouth be acceptable
“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)
In this psalm, David prays that everything he says would be pleasing and acceptable to God. This should be the goal in all our speech.
Matthew 15:11 – What comes from the mouth defiles a person
“It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” (Matthew 15:11)
Jesus explains that our words have the power to defile us. Using profanity and coarse joking corrupts us internally, while wholesome speech aligns us with God’s purity.
Proverbs 15:1 – A gentle answer turns away wrath
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1)
Responding gently and thoughtfully is so much better than reacting in anger or lashing out with profanity. Wise speech calms anger.
1 Timothy 4:12 – Be an example in speech
“Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12)
Paul charges Timothy to be an example to others in his speech. The same applies to all Christians – our speech should set a positive Christlike example.
Titus 2:7-8 – Sound speech that cannot be condemned
“Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.” (Titus 2:7-8)
Wholesome and sound speech gives credibility to believers. Foul language undermines our witness and opens us to condemnation.
Proverbs 21:23 – Guard your mouth and tongue
“Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.” (Proverbs 21:23)
Controlling our speech keeps us from all kinds of problems. Letting loose with profanity can get us in trouble in many ways.
Psalm 141:3 – Set a guard over my mouth
“Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!” (Psalm 141:3)
Asking God to help guard our mouth is a wise prayer. Our lips and tongue often get us into trouble with careless words.
Proverbs 12:18 – Reckless words pierce like a sword
“There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” (Proverbs 12:18)
Careless words can cut people deeply. Wise speech brings healing rather than harm.
Psalm 19:14 – Let the words of my mouth be acceptable
“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)
In this psalm, David prays that everything he says would be pleasing and acceptable to God. This should be the goal in all our speech.
Proverbs 13:3 – Guard your lips
“Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.” (Proverbs 13:3)
Protecting our speech keeps us safe from trouble. Letting loose without restraint brings problems.
Proverbs 18:21 – The tongue has the power of life and death
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” (Proverbs 18:21)
Our words have incredible power, either for good or for evil. We must use our speech wisely and lovingly.
Psalm 10:7 – The mouth is full of cursing and deceit
“His mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression; under his tongue are mischief and iniquity.” (Psalm 10:7)
This verse describes the wicked, whose speech is foul and sinful. As followers of Christ, our mouth should be filled with praise and truth.
Proverbs 10:31-32 – The mouth of the righteous brings wisdom
“The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable.” (Proverbs 10:31-32)
In contrast to the wicked, the righteous speak wisely and know how to speak acceptably.
Matthew 5:37 – Simply let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes’
“Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.” (Matthew 5:37)
Jesus says we don’t need to emphasize our speech with profanity or careless oaths. Simply say yes or no.
James 1:26 – If anyone thinks he is religious but can’t control his tongue…
“If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.” (James 1:26)
James makes the piercing observation that unchecked and unholy speech negates a person’s claim to be religious.
Psalm 34:13 – Keep your tongue from evil
“Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.” (Psalm 34:13)
This verse summarizes it well – true followers of God must keep both their tongue and lips far from evil speech and deceit.
Proverbs 17:20 – One of perverse heart finds no good
“One of crooked heart does not discover good, and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity.” (Proverbs 17:20)
Twisted speech flows from a twisted heart. We must ask God to continually purify our heart so our speech remains upright.
Matthew 12:34 – For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks
“For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Matthew 12:34)
The real key to cleaning up speech is having a changed heart. Our words flow directly from our inner person.
1 Peter 3:10 – Whoever desires life and loves to see good days must keep his tongue from evil
“Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.” (1 Peter 3:10)
Again we see a direct link between avoiding evil speech and living the abundant Christian life God desires for us.
Proverbs 16:24 – Gracious words are like honey
“Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” (Proverbs 16:24)
There is something wonderfully refreshing about gracious, uplifting speech. Honey is not only sweet but has health benefits – likewise for wholesome words.
Proverbs 15:4 – Gentle speech brings life
“Gentle speech brings life and health; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.” (Proverbs 15:4)
More benefits of good speech are listed here. Gentle, thoughtful words give life, while deceit harms our spirit.
Matthew 15:18 – What comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart
“But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.” (Matthew 15:18)
Our heart is the source of the words we speak, whether good or evil. Cleansing our heart is what matters most.
Psalm 19:14 – Let the words of my mouth be acceptable
“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)
In this psalm, David prays that everything he says would be pleasing and acceptable to God. This should be the goal in all our speech.
Ephesians 5:12 – It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret
“For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.” (Ephesians 5:12)
Some speech is so unwholesome and inappropriate for believers that Paul says it is shameful to even mention it.
Proverbs 6:16-17 – The Lord hates a lying tongue
“There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood.” (Proverbs 6:16-17)
In this list of things the Lord hates, a lying tongue makes the list. Honesty and truthfulness should mark our speech.
Proverbs 26:28 – A lying tongue hates its victims
“A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.” (Proverbs 26:28)
Twisted speech ultimately harms others. We should take care never to use our words in ways that hurt people.
Psalm 5:9 – No truth in their mouth
“For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue.” (Psalm 5:9)
This vivid verse describes the emptiness and corruption of ungodly speech. As God’s people, we are called to be completely truthful.
In review, here are some key principles the Bible teaches about speech:
- Avoid corrupting, vulgar, profane, or abusive speech
- Speak words that build up others
- No foolish or crude talk
- Put away filthy and obscene language
- Be consistent – don’t bless God but curse people
- Do not take the Lord’s name in vain
- Every careless word will be judged
- Put away crooked speech
- Speak words pleasing and acceptable to God
- Avoid words that defile us
- Respond gently rather than harshly
- Set an example with pure speech
- Guard what you say
- Seek God’s help to control your tongue
- Think about the power and impact of your words
- Fill your mouth with praise rather than cursing
- Simply say yes or no
- Right speech flows from a changed heart
- Gracious and gentle speech refreshes others
May we all grow in speaking words that are pleasing to God, build others up, and bring glory to the name of Jesus Christ.