17 Graceful Bible Verses About Cursing and Swearing
by Ryan Hart | Updated on December 20, 2018 | Post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
In this post I’m going to share with you the most impactful bible verses about cursing and using profanity that I’ve read.
In fact:
These scriptures on cursing will make you think twice about the words that come out of your mouth from now on.
Ready to find out what the bible says about swearing?
Let’s get started.
Colossians 3:8
But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
Ephesians 4:29
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.
Ephesians 5:4
Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
Matthew 5:37
All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
Matthew 12:36-37
But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.
Matthew 15:10-11
Jesus called the crowd to him and said, "Listen and understand. What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them."
James 1:26
Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.
James 3:6-8
The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
James 3:10
Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.
2 Timothy 2:16
Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.
Psalm 19:14
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 34:13-14
Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
Psalm 141:3
Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.
Proverbs 4:24
Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
Proverbs 6:12
A troublemaker and a villain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth
Proverbs 21:23
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.
Exodus 20:7
“You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
Luke 6:45
A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.
Now It's Your Turn
And now I want to hear from you.
Which of these bible verses was most meaningful to you?
Are there any scriptures about cursing that I should add to this list?
Either way, let me know by leaving a comment below right now.
About the Author:
Ryan Hart is a licensed insurance agent, writer, and former home designer. He is on a mission to help couples protect their homes in retirement with life insurance and annuities.
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Ryan Hart
Which bible verse was most helpful? Please leave a comment and let me know.
Carolyn
Colossians 3:8 really hit me. All of these scriptures were excellent. If any true disciple of Jesus wants to know what the Bible says about cussing and vulgar language, this article will certainly help them. Thanks for writing this Ryan. God bless.
Emmanuel
Thank you so much sir for this article, God bless you sir🙏🏾....please go on with more articles as He leads you sir,...thank you so much sir 🙏🏾
Ashley Barnhart
I'm really struggling with the Bible in general right now. And after literally being in thought, pretty much daily, about everything God says, I have no clue as to what to believe. I believe he came here, I'm not saying that. But as someone who struggles immensely with the words that come from my mouth, I feel as though I'm am considered evil because of what my mouth says. So honestly all these verses did for me was further show me that there is no point in the effort I've tried to apply to my life because in all honesty, my cussing is situational. And no matter how hard I try I will never be able to be the person he wants me to be. I'm tired of the constant feeling of being condemned to hell. Jesus was a direct descendant of God. He is and always will be the strongest of all us. I just can't accept that everything is so black and white with no room for error. The more I try to live up to these biblical standards, the more I feel I fall from grace. I do appreciate you taking the time to post this. And I appreciate what you were trying to accomplish by doing this. However for me, I feel more condemned by the sheer fact that I have so many issues. Hopefully one day I will be able to get all this in check.
Julie Moore
I will be praying for you, Ashley.❤️ Please use my email for any questions.
And thank you, Ryan, for this study.
Brittany Naranjo
Hi Ashley. I just wanted to encourage you I don't know how long ago but you wrote this but I am just seeing it today. All mankind is Born into sin and the fact that you realize that you're saying just takes you further from Grace is important. In reality none of us can live up to these standards alone. We first have to realize that we are a sinner and ask forgiveness for this. The next step is to believe in our heart and confess with our mouths that Jesus Christ died for us sinners and that we believe he raised from the dead and he too will raise us up in him. And we asked him into our hearts and we confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord. This is the basic steps, but it is also just the beginning. Jesus then comes into our hearts, but the step that so many people Miss is now we must step into the Life of Christ. It's called being born again and being a new creature in Christ. There is a transformation that takes place but also the Bible tells us that we die daily. We have to die out to that old man and it is a process we are continually being transformed by Jesus on a daily basis. Babies don't turn into adults overnight it's a constant continual growth that has to happen. When Jesus turned 12 he went to the temple because he had to be in his father's house. Jesus decided that he was going to come under the word which was his father. And that's what we have to decide we must come under the word of God. This is a conscious decision that we must make and when we hear the word of God to not be condemned by it but to say okay God I'm going to come under your word help me Jesus because I cannot do this on my own. Now he will help you if you let him you will feel a small stirring or tugging inside of you when you go to do opposite of what his word says. That's when you have to make the choice immediately am I going to come under his word or am I going to do what I want to do. Each time you make that decision it adds up and eventually it will either be easy after a while to make that decision or it will still be hard to the point where you don't even feel that tugging anymore because you're not listening. But again it is not an overnight change this takes time and stability in Christ. It takes a work on your side. Jesus said blessed is he who is not offended in me. Jesus did not come to condemn the world but to save it. He loves you very much and he is the word of God, when we read the Bible, the word we are continually washed by the water of the word and we have to let it transformer us daily. When Jesus walked on water he walked that impossible walk Jesus also called Peter to come and walk the impossible walk to show us but yes we can to but to do this we must keep our eyes on Jesus not on our circumstances not on our situations because when we think about all these worldly things that can drown out our focus on him and what he is doing for us. With man it is impossible but with God all things are possible. Believe and you will receive.
Merrill
I think Brittany summed it all up just right. I could not of said it any better than she did as she said it right and well. Father I pray in the name of Yeshua that you fill this woman's heart with your Holy Spirit that she is delivered by Ruach in the name of Yeshua Ha'Mashiach (Jesus the Messiah) clear her mind of those demons that attempt to take her away from your Word and send down your mightiest angels upon her and bring her Shalom. Amen
Alisha Ward
Brittany, thank you. You are sooo correct and this also helped me in so many ways.
Ashley Barnhart
I'm really struggling with the Bible in general right now. And after literally being in thought, pretty much daily, about everything God says, I have no clue as to what to believe. I believe he came here, I'm not saying that. But as someone who struggles immensely with the words that come from my mouth, I feel as though I'm am considered evil because of what my mouth says. So honestly all these verses did for me was further show me that there is no point in the effort I've tried to apply to my life because in all honesty, my cussing is situational. And no matter how hard I try I will never be able to be the person he wants me to be. I'm tired of the constant feeling of being condemned to hell. Jesus was a direct descendant of God. He is and always will be the strongest of all us. I just can't accept that everything is so black and white with no room for error. The more I try to live up to these biblical standards, the more I feel I fall from grace. I do appreciate you taking the time to post this. And I appreciate what you were trying to accomplish by doing this. However for me, I feel more condemned by the sheer fact that I have so many issues. Hopefully one day I will be able to get all this in check.
Curtis
Repentance is key, God knows your heart. If you continue to pray and ask for deliverance from your tongue it will happen. Spend more time in His presence and seek His face. It’s not easy but I’ve seen Him deliver me from things that I thought was never going to change. It took time but He never fails. The bible also tells us that something’s only leave by prayer and fasting. Be blessed and encouraged. God bless you
Celesta
Ashley, Curtis hit the solution on the head. Powerful answer. Love your study Ryan.
Pam Elder
Ashley,
Please give yourself grace and then ask Holy Spirit to change you, because we can NOT change ourselves! We can change the OUTSIDE in, but only the Holy Spirit can change us from the INSIDE out, and your consternation about it shows your willing heart! Christians get saved by faith and then want to pull themselves up by their bootstraps and are disappointed when we fail! Fruit GROWS, it doesn't just POP UP... change doesn't always happen overnight. The seed is in the fertile ground of your heart...it WILL grow! Then you will struggle with something else and need the LORD to help you with it, keeping your walk with Him necessary, fresh, and alive!
Pam Elder
Ashley,
Please give yourself grace and then ask Holy Spirit to change you, because we can NOT change ourselves! We can change the OUTSIDE in, but only the Holy Spirit can change us from the INSIDE out, and your consternation about it shows your willing heart! Christians get saved by faith and then want to pull themselves up by their bootstraps and are disappointed when we fail! Fruit GROWS, it doesn't just POP UP... change doesn't always happen overnight. The seed is in the fertile ground of your heart...it WILL grow! Then you will struggle with something else and need the LORD to help you with it, keeping your walk with Him necessary, fresh, and alive!
GG
Ashley:
You are at a critical point here in your Christian walk. If you continue to struggle through your sin (cursing, in this case), it is evidence, to your own heart, (not to other people) that you are saved; if you give up now, it is evidence, to your own heart, that maybe you are not saved. I encourage you, please, DON’T GIVE UP!
JOHN 8:31
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, [then] are ye my disciples indeed;
The Christian life is a struggle....Read here what the apostle Paul wrote about his own sin....
ROMANS 7:15
For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. 16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Keep moving toward Jesus. Run to him! Keep confessing your sins to him. Keep up the good fight! IF you are really a believer, you’ll keep fighting against your sin.
GALATIONS 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
MATTHEW 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest
Trust Jesus!
Ebony Smith
Please correct me if I’m way off but these are my thoughts. Is these scriptures talking about cussing or cursing? I have many concerns with tradition and truth. Traditionally we believe that cussing in cursing! Cussing is more of choice words! Cursing is actually wishing supernatural harm on someone or something or an offensive words or phrase! Evidence? Yah and Yahshuah both cursed! When they cursed, did they use cuss words or did they put supernatural harm on someone or something? Yah cursed Adam and Eve in the beginning! Later the Israelites. Yahshuah cursed the fig tree! Neither time did they say shit or damn. Ultimately, I worry that we put emphasis on mere words more than the actual meaning of these scriptures. Would Yah be more concerned with me stubbing my toe and saying “shit”? Or would he be more concerned with that or me wishing ill on my brethren. If I said, “Biiiiitch, you look good.” Would Yah be upset with that over, “I hope you die”? I think what these scriptures is teaching us is to put away evil speech. Cuss words are evil bc we say they are evil! Traditionally we were wired that way! But I feel truth is the scriptures aren’t focused on mere words (obviously bc in 2 Peter 2:16 clearly says dumb ass) the scripture is more concerned with how we put those words together. Besides, damn and dang hold the same weight! If we can’t say damn, then don’t say dang. (Damn may be a poor example bc the meaning itself can be bad) Shit and shoot hold the same weight! So let’s not say “shoot” either if we are completely exiling useless words! I’m not completely sold on this but these are my thoughts and I been praying for clarity bc I have noticed we have been traditionalized in so many ways. Like calling our savior Jesus when his name is clearly Yahshuah. Calling Yah God when his name is Yahweh. That’s just me calling you man every time we speak instead of by your name. That’s so vague! We celebrate Christmas when it has nothing to do with Christ and the Bible forbids it! Bc it’s ALL TRADITIONAL but it isn’t biblical!
Johnny
Luke 6:45 is powerful to me thanks for the collection of verses
Lissy
"James 1:26
Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless."
This one struck me the most... it kind of reminded me that everything we're doing is for God or against him...
Sylvia Stephens
Luke 6 and 45 was the scripture that helped me at the end of the what's in your heart that's coming out
Matt
This is a great list, I have been trying my best to stop cursing, and i think you have helped
Elise
I was looking up scriptures about bad language and came across your site. I needed to let my grandson know what the Bible says about it. 2 Tim 2:16 and Eph 5:4 were the ones I chose for him to meditate on.
Thank you Ryan for searching out these scriptures. He’s 10 fifth grade, trying to keep a handle on things. Thanks again.
Nancy G
Thank you so much for this wonderful article! I was able to share with a sister of mine and even though I thought I was doing ok with not cussing, this made me realize that it’s still not ok lol so in the end it helped us out both! God bless you brother 💗
Luke Pascarelli
Anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language. Filthy language clearly referring to language with sexual connotation.
If I say "You know that little creeping feeling you get sometimes? That you're just a burden on everybody you know? That people only put up with you because they're too polite to tell you how they really feel? Well guess what. You're right. Nobody likes you. The moment you walk away everybody breathes a sigh of relief that they don't have to put up the polite act any longer. You are pitiful. Even your closest "friends" talk about you behind your back and they would all live happier without you. You bring down every person you know. You cause them discomfort and pain. You are pathetic." That is unwholesome. That is harmful, and does not build them up. If I say "I love you so fucking much" there is nothing about that sentence that is unwholesome. There are no specific words in language that are inherently evil, created specifically to invite the devil into our souls. God does not call us to put a limit on our vocabulary, and especially not to limit anyone else's.
I have specific counters to each of these verses, but that one took long enough to type out. We all need to stop applying meaning to the Bible to bend God's word to what we already believe. Rather, we need to understand it as it is, IN CONTEXT. ALWAYS in context.
Jamilah birungi
I praise God
elisa lawrence
loved it all very informative especially for note taking
David
Love the scriptures about cursing and foul language. It changed my life about fourteen years ago, and I feel so much better edifying and speaking good words to others. Thanks for this presentation and may God Bless you for it.
bishop moses
I have noticed in the church and out of the church for years, people refused to keep all 17 scriptures away from their mouth. Because under pressure and stress they loose their wisdom along with their relationship with our holy king of kings, just apply the 17 scriptures to your life by faith.
Todd Sykes
I was in military 13 years and be around alot foul language from my fellow service members. I need a special prayer so take this foul language out my mouth wh we're I'm upset.
