Taming the Tongue – What the Bible Says About Profanity

Many young Christians today feel it’s no big deal to use coarse or vulgar words. It’s just part of modern culture, they say, so get over it. They believe as long as you have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior, the way you talk doesn’t really matter.

The Bible and Profanity

Both the Old and New Testaments warn about profanity, but in a different context than we describe it today.

God himself makes it abundantly clear in the Third Commandment:

“You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” (Exodus 20:7, NIV)

Ancient Hebrews considered God’s name so sacred that they avoided pronouncing it aloud. Some Bible scholars believe this command refers to swearing inconsequential oaths by invoking God’s name or even using God’s name in ceremonial magic. However, considering the context of the First, Second, and Fourth Commandments, it seems God wanted to impress on people the seriousness of offending him. Most of the Old Testament warnings about profanity follow this caution:

“Do not profane my holy name. I must be acknowledged as holy by the Israelites. I am the LORD, who makes you holy…” (Leviticus 22:32, NIV)

Today, common misuse of God’s or Jesus Christ’s name is found in curses or exclamations. However, this commandment also prohibits the popular saying, “Oh my God!”

Is Coarse Language a Sin?

While the Bible does not prohibit specific coarse or vulgar terms, it does supply general rules in choosing our words wisely:

“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 4:29, NIV)

“Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.” (2 Timothy 2:16, NIV)

Christians who pepper their language with vulgarities and cultural obscenities are lazy and guilty of sin:

“Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” (James 4:17, NIV)

Taming the Tongue … and the Fingers

Many of the Bible’s commands about language are about taming the tongue.

Words have the power to heal or hurt, so we should exercise self-control over what we say:

“Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.” (Proverbs 21:23, NIV)

For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.” (1 Peter 3:10, NIV)

The book of James is especially strong on guarding our speech. James says the tongue is a small thing but capable of doing great harm.

“Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.” (James 1:26, NIV)

“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.” (James 3:9-10, NIV)

Although most of these verses apply to spoken words, the biblical principle holds true for written words as well. These warnings are especially relevant to the Internet, where “flaming” and bullying are so common on social media.

Online comments can cause serious emotional harm, and they can never be taken back. The Bible’s timeless truths serve as a compassionate standard of conduct in our behavior toward others, both in person and at a distance.

Setting a Good Example

Advocates of saying whatever you please argue that words are mere tools for expression, neither good nor bad. However, the Bible is a book filled with God’s principles, and one of those principles is setting a good example for unbelievers:

“Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” (1 Peter 2:12, NIV)

Followers of Jesus Christ are told to act differently because they are different:

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9, NIV)

“You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” (James 4:4, NIV)

Increasingly, profanity and coarse language are invading society. From 10 year-olds on the playground to celebrities and sports figures, people are turning to obscene speech to prove the rules don’t apply to them.

Christians, however, are called to higher standards. The Bible tells us that we set ourselves apart not by conforming to the world but by being transformed by God who lives within us.