What does the Bible say about profanity?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that profanity and corrupt speech dishonor God, harm others, and are to be put away by those renewed in Christ. Exodus 20:7 especially forbids taking the Lord’s name in vain, while Colossians 3:8 and Ephesians 4:29 call believers to reject obscene, abusive, and destructive words. Jesus warns in Matthew 12:36 that people will give account for every careless word, because speech reveals the heart. Ephesians 5:4-7 urges thankful, fitting speech rather than crude joking, and James 3:10 condemns using the same tongue for blessing and cursing. By God’s grace, Christians should seek words that are true, pure, gracious, and spiritually helpful.
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Colossians 3:8
but now you also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth.
- Matthew 12:36
I tell you that every idle word that men speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.
- 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.
- Ephesians 5:4-7
[4] nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not appropriate; but rather giving of thanks. [5] Know this for sure, that no sexually immoral person, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God. [6] Let no one deceive you with empty words. For because of these things, the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience. [7] Therefore don't be partakers with them.
- James 3:10
Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
- 2 Timothy 2:16
But shun empty chatter, for they will proceed further in ungodliness,
- Proverbs 18:21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; Those who love it will eat its fruit.
- Psalms 34:13
Keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking lies.
- Matthew 15:11
That which enters into the mouth doesn't defile the man; but that which proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man."
- 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.
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