What does the Bible say about swear words?
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The Bible teaches that Christians should reject profane, abusive, vulgar, and careless speech, using their words instead to honor God and build up others. Ephesians 4:29 and Colossians 3:8 call believers away from corrupt talk, slander, and filthy language, while Ephesians 5:4 warns against obscenity, foolish talk, and crude joking. Exodus 20:7 especially forbids taking the Lord's name in vain, and James 5:12 and Matthew 5:33-37 teach truthful, simple speech rather than careless oaths. James 3:10 reminds us that blessing God and cursing others should not flow from the same mouth. Though every believer needs grace for sinful speech, Christ renews the heart so that our words increasingly reflect reverence, truth, and love.
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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.
- James 5:12
But above all things, my brothers, don't swear, neither by heaven, nor by the earth, nor by any other oath; but let your "yes" be "yes," and your "no," "no;" so that you don't fall into hypocrisy.
- Ephesians 5:4-5
[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.
- James 3:10
Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
- 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.
- Proverbs 13:3
He who guards his mouth guards his soul. One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
- James 1:26
If anyone among you thinks himself to be religious while he doesn't bridle his tongue, but deceives his heart, this man's religion is worthless.
- Matthew 5:33-37
[33] "Again you have heard that it was said to them of old time, 'You shall not make false vows, but shall perform to the Lord your vows,' [34] but I tell you, don't swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God; [35] nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. [36] Neither shall you swear by your head, for you can't make one hair white or black. [37] But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes' and your 'No' be 'no.' Whatever is more than these is of the evil one.
- 2 Timothy 2:16
But shun empty chatter, for they will proceed further in ungodliness,
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