What does the Bible say about bad language?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible calls believers to reject sinful, degrading, and careless speech, using words that honor God and build up others. Ephesians 4:29 teaches that our speech should give grace according to the need of the moment, while Colossians 3:8 tells Christians to put away obscene talk and abusive anger. Ephesians 5:4 warns against filthiness, foolish talk, and crude joking, replacing them with thanksgiving. Exodus 20:7 forbids taking the Lord's name in vain. Because believers belong to Christ and are temples of the Holy Spirit, as 1 Corinthians 3:16 says, their words should reflect holy hearts. Titus 1:11 also warns against deceptive speech that harms households.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Ephesians 4:29

    Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for building up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear.

  • Colossians 3:8

    but now you also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth.

  • Ephesians 5:4

    nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not appropriate; but rather giving of thanks.

  • Exodus 20:7

    "You shall not take the name of Yahweh your God in vain, for Yahweh will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

  • 1 Corinthians 3:16

    Don't you know that you are a temple of God, and that God's Spirit lives in you?

  • Titus 1:11

    whose mouths must be stopped; men who overthrow whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for dishonest gain's sake.

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