Should Christians Be Cussing?

Growing up in Ukraine, cursing was the norm around me. So much so that I found myself heavily addicted to it. One day I was milking a cow and it hit the bucket with the milk, and I remember I was so angry that I just let that cow have it. In frustration, I unloaded so many curse words on it. Little did I know, my dad was passing by the barn, and I think when my dad heard this foul language, he probably thought a demon entered the barn. So he stuck his head inside, and to his surprise, it was his son.

Shocked, he did what any Pentecostal dad would do: he gave me a Biblical five-fold,  pressed down, shaken together spanking, and I was delivered. I’m not joking. I never cussed again as a teenager. This experience led me to quit cursing.

In this blog, I’ll cover what the Bible says and a few tips on how you can overcome in this area.

Cursing vs Swearing

Cursing is defined as using “profanity to bring evil upon,” while swearing means to “make an oath, give a vow, or swear falsely.” Swearing can include curses and oaths, and cursing can include profane, offensive or taboo words. These are words dealing with sexual or body reference, taking the Lord’s name in vain, or an utterance or wish to express harm that will come on another person.

The Power of Words

Words hold incredible power. They can start and end wars, mend or break hearts, and shape our perception of reality (Proverbs 18:20). In the Bible, we see that the 5 words that Zachariah spoke cost him 40 weeks of silence (Luke 1:18). The words we use are powerful.

No Christian should be guilty of such unbecoming talk. Using foul language often signifies ignorance, suggesting a limited vocabulary to express oneself.

Why Christians Should Refrain from Cursing and Swearing

1. Scripture Forbids Dirty Talk: Colossians 3:8 urges us to rid ourselves of anger, wrath, blasphemy, and filthy language.
2. Speech Reveals Our Heart: Jesus emphasized that our speech reveals our hearts’ condition (Matthew 12:34).
3. Accountability to God: We will give an account to God for every word we utter (Matthew 12:37).
4. Respect for the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is grieved by rotten, offensive speech (Ephesians 4:29-30). We must remember that the Holy Spirit is listening to us.
5. Self-Defilement: What comes out of our mouth can defile us (Matthew 15:18).

Steps to Cleanse Your Tongue

1. Take Your Thoughts Captive: Be vigilant of what you allow into your mind, as thoughts often precede words (2 Corinthians 10:5).
2. Exercise Restraint: You have the power to choose your words wisely (James 1:26).
3. Ask God to Cleanse Your Lips: Just like Isaiah, ask God to cleanse your lips (Isaiah 6:5).
4. Change Your Environment: Your surroundings can significantly influence your speech (1 Corinthians 15:33).
5. Season Your Speech: (Colossians 4:6) It’s easy to spew out any words that come to mind, but the Bible instructs us to make sure that our words are seasoned. Make sure your words are appropriate.
6. Speak in Tongues: In Acts 2:4, when the disciples got filled with the Holy Spirit, their mouth was affected. Instead of controlling yourself in this area, release yourself to the Holy Spirit and ask Him to speak through you.

In conclusion, as Christians, it’s essential to uphold the values of the faith in all aspects, including our speech.