The Christian and Profanity

We’ve all heard the saying, “you are what you eat.” But Jesus teaches, “it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person” (Mt. 15:11). Our speech says something about us. The ways we communicate, including the very words we speak, can either mark us as pure children of God or defiled and worldly. There are many forms of defiling speech. In Matthew 15, Jesus specifically condemned false witness and slander. Other forms of defiling speech such as lying, gossip, slander, and more are revealed throughout the New Testament. For this article, we will consider the topic of cursing and profanity.

What is Profanity?

Generally speaking, when we talk about profanity, we mean words that are also called “curse words” or “cuss words.”

These are words or phrases that society recognizes as vulgar, uncouth, and inappropriate. These are words society doesn’t want children hearing or speaking, words that are not acceptable in professional environments, and speech with a significant likelihood of offending others.

These words earn TV shows, movies, video games, and music ratings and warning labels that indicate they are for older audiences.

There is another sense in which something can be “profanity,” however.

It is evident that the word “profanity” is related to the word “profane.” The Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary’s definitions of “profanity” include:

“(a) the quality or state of being profane (b) the use of profane language.”

Using the same dictionary, we understand something profane is

“(1) not concerned with religion or religious purposes (i.e., secular); (2) not holy because unconsecrated, impure, or defiled; (3) serving to debase or defile what is holy (i.e., irreverent, obscene, vulgar).”

The Bible addresses the act of profaning, which involves more than just speech.

The altar could be profaned (Ex. 20:25), as could the Sabbath (Ex. 31:14).

Offering child-sacrifices to Molech was said to “profane the name of your God” (Lev. 18:21), and swearing falsely (Lev. 19:12), and stealing (Pro. 30:9) are said to do the same thing.

More could be listed, but we can get the point. Something is profane when it makes something that is sacred to be common or when it violates God’s law and will.

Working on the Sabbath made it like a typical day when it was to be a holy, consecrated day. Making it common was profane.

Evil actions such as child sacrifice, lying, and stealing are a direct affront to God’s holiness, so when those God’s children do such things, they profane the Lord’s name instead of glorifying it.

When we apply this principle to speech, profane speech makes holy things common or violates God’s law.

In a generic sense, all sins of the tongue are “profane.” In a specific sense, profane speech is blasphemous speech. For example, when someone uses the name of God as a common exclamation of surprise, they are using the Lord’s name in a debased, ordinary way. That is profane speech.

As we consider profanity, we must consider the nature of language and words. A word is simply a combination of letters (written) or sounds (verbal).

Such a combination is in and of itself morally neutral—neither good nor bad. Because of this, some try to argue that there is nothing wrong with profanity. After all, a word is just a word.

But words have meanings and convey ideas. The letters and sounds help us communicate those ideas and understand meanings.

For example, the letters “d,” “g,” and “o” can be used to form the words “god” or “dog.” Both words have the same letters but vastly different meanings.

While letters and sounds may not be good or bad, ideas and meanings certainly can be. Some meanings are positive, uplifting, and holy. Others are wicked, sensual, and sinful. When profanity is condemned, it is because the purpose and meaning behind the words are evil.

So why isn’t profanity (cussing) directly addressed in the Bible? Why don’t we have a list of forbidden words?

The Bible does address foul language; it just does so generally rather than precisely. But it must. Another truth about language is that it changes.

Not only are there vast differences between languages (e.g., English and Portuguese), but language itself changes over time. Only a century ago, some words held a much different meaning in American English than they do today. What might have been an innocent word years ago may not be today, and vice-versa.

Even in contemporary language, some words may be bad in one context but acceptable in another. Cultural influences also impact language. A perfectly innocent or neutral word in American English may carry some nefarious meaning in British English.

Because of all this, it is impossible to provide an enduring list of forbidden words. Even so, the Bible gives us principles that can help us know what is appropriate and what is not when it comes to our speech.

The Bible on Profanity

How can we know if a word is acceptable or not? First of all, as we’ve already noted, if something is profane, it goes against God and thus is sinful. Therefore, any words or phrases that convey irreverent ideas are sinful. When someone uses the name of God in a base, common way (such as an exclamation of surprise), then that is trivializing something which is to be holy and revered. Such words and phrases are thus profane and should be avoided by God’s people.

Most Christians understand this principle when it comes to “taking the Lord’s name in vain.” But there are other ways we can make holy things common.

A couple more obvious examples could be Hell and damnation.

Scripture reveals that Hell is a real place—a place prepared by God for the punishment of evil-doers, most notably Satan and his angels (Mt. 25:41). This eternal punishment is called condemnation or damnation.

The destruction of the wicked is not something that brings God joy (Ezek. 18:23; 33:11) and is undoubtedly something that should not be taken lightly.

And yet, people use both the name of Hell and the idea of damnation as common words to exclaim displeasure over everyday, trivial things. Worse still, many use these ideas to insult or “curse” others.

This concept of cursing is why profanity is sometimes referred to as “curse words.” First, the desire to offend is a problem of its own, and it is only compounded when one adds the sin of profanity to their sin of anger and hatred.

Second, cursing is not something that should come from a Christian’s lips. There are legitimate ways to speak about being cursed or condemned (cf. Gal. 3:10),

Galatians 3:10 ESV

For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.”

But a Christian is forbidden from uttering nonchalant or angry curses. James says,

James 3:8–10 ESV

but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

When James says, “these things ought not to be,” he forbids the intentional or casual use of language designed to curse.

While most Christians would agree we should not take the Lord’s name in vain, and we should not curse others, we can go a step further.

For example, while it may seem more innocent, there are many jokes about Hell and Heaven. Cartoons, shows, and jokes that get told about these eternal places abound.

But Hell and eternal separation from God is no laughing matter.

And should we be comfortable with trivializing and joking about something so precious and sacred as the home of God and the eternal hope of God’s children?

I do not mean to make rules where Scripture does not, and I cannot print a list of appropriate and inappropriate jokes about Heaven. But I think Christians would do well to be more thoughtful, wise, and sober-minded when making light of our eternal reward or punishment. After all, if we make the home of the saints the butt of jokes, is that not the very definition of making something sacred common and thus profane?

So, when it comes to “profane” speech, it is impossible to come up with an exhaustive list of words to avoid. Instead, Scripture guides us by principles, and the principles we’ve seen teach us not to make sacred things common and not to curse.

We would do well to evaluate our speech, and if we can identify words we use, jokes we tell, or things we talk about which profane holy concepts, we should change the way we speak.

As noted above, however, when we refer to profanity in our current culture, we are not only referring to words that “profane” or “curse” in the technical sense. Some words and phrases have nothing to do with holy or spiritual things but are still considered profanity.

For example, when the Classification and Ratings Administration (CARA) gives a movie a “PG-13” or “R” rating for language, it has nothing to do with profaning sacred ideas or cursing. It simply means the film uses what we commonly call “cuss words” that society recognizes are vulgar and inappropriate for children.

But is such language condemned in Scripture? If words are not blasphemous, profane, or a curse, then can they still be sinful?

Some argue that cuss words may be culturally unacceptable but not sinful. Since the Bible doesn’t (and can’t) give a list of all inappropriate words, and since language is fluid and based on culture, it is argued that words are just that—words, and thus they are not sinful.

While the Bible may not address specific words, it does provide us with plenty of guidance and instruction concerning our speech. And an honest look at Scripture will show us that common profanity is something that Christians should avoid. Let’s consider three key passages that demonstrate why Christians should avoid profanity.

Ephesians 4:29

In Ephesians 4:17-24, the Apostle Paul explains that Christians are to live a new life. After obeying the Gospel, Christians should not continue to “walk as the Gentiles do.”

Instead, Christians are to have renewed minds and should put on the new self, which should resemble the righteousness and holiness of God.

In verses 25-32, Paul gives some practical examples of what such newness looks like. It looks like speaking the truth, controlling our anger, and working honestly instead of stealing.

In verse 29, Paul says, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

“Corrupting talk” is translated from the Greek word sapros. The seven other occurrences of this word in the New Testament describe bad or diseased fruit or produce (cf. Mt. 7:17-18; 12:33; 13:48; Lk. 6:43).

The word means “rotten, putrid, of a bad quality” (Mounce, 1267). Louw and Nida describe this word as “pertaining to that which is harmful in view of its being unwholesome and corrupting.”

When words or phrases are recognized as vulgar, filthy words, then Christians should not use them. And we do not need an official list of such words to know whether or not they are appropriate. When Hollywood and secular organizations recognize words as unwholesome and corrupting, surely we can see that such words are inappropriate for Christians!

What we say, which is made up of the words we use, should benefit others and build them up. In no way should our speech have a corrupting or unwholesome influence. If we wouldn’t want a child repeating the words we say, we probably shouldn’t use those words.

Ephesians 5:4

Just a few verses later, Paul comes back to improper speech.

Paul encourages Christians to walk in love (Eph. 5:2), and then Paul clears up a common worldly misconception.

Paul points out there is a significant difference between love and lust. Christians are to walk in love, which means that “sexual immorality and all impurity” shouldn’t even be named among God’s people (Eph. 5:3).

Paul expounds on the idea of “all impurity” in verse four, where he says, “Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking….”

Paul condemns both impure action (filthiness) and speech (foolish talk, crude joking).

The word translated in the ESV as “crude joking” is used only here in the New Testament but means “coarse jesting involving vulgar expressions and indecent content” (Louw & Nida).

This verse condemns the likes of dirty jokes, vulgar speech, and words or phrases that are sexually explicit. Such speech should not be heard from the lips of God’s people.

Colossians 3:8

In Colossians three, Paul makes much the same point as that in Ephesians four, namely that Christians are to live a different type of life—a life based upon “things above.”

To do this, there are many things the Christian must “put to death.”

These things (such as immorality, slander, covetousness, anger) may be common in the world but have no part in a Christian’s life. Among the list of behaviors to be put away is “obscene talk.”

The Greek word (aischrologia) is “speech of a kind that is generally considered in poor taste, obscene speech, dirty talk” (BDAG).

It is closely related to the word “filthiness” (aischrotes) in Ephesians 5:4. That word is defined as “behavior that flouts social and moral standards.”

We can philosophize all we want about words just being words. But even our secular society (as loose as it often is) has standards of speech and recognizes many words and phrases are not appropriate.

If children can’t use or hear a word, why should adults use such words?

If we wouldn’t say words in a professional environment because they would be viewed as crass or inappropriate, what makes those words ok in a casual setting?

Another word for profanity or cuss words is “obscenities.” Anything that might be classified as obscene is condemned in Colossians 3:8.

Self-Control

There is a final aspect of profanity that can and should be discussed. While most Christians can agree there are several words that no Christian should use, there are other words, euphemisms, and phrases that aren’t so clear.

Many people will not take the Lord’s name in vain but may use similar sounding words instead. Some words are less obscene than cuss words but function in a similar way. So, where do we draw the line?

I, for one, do not believe we can establish an exhaustive list of every possible word or phrase that shouldn’t be uttered. But I think when we apply the principles of Scripture, we can all make wise decisions.

And when it comes to speech, we must recognize that our speech reveals two key things about us—our purity of heart and our self-control.

Just because we don’t use certain words doesn’t mean we are pure of heart. We can be guilty of obscene talk, coarse jesting, and unwholesome speech even through “acceptable” words.

There are words we shouldn’t use. But more importantly, there are ideas and innuendos we shouldn’t communicate in any form. And when it comes to speech, our best option is that of self-control.

We recognize that shouting out the name of the Lord when we’re angry isn’t right. And thus, some people find some softer euphemisms.

But instead of trying to find acceptable words and phrases (like “shoot,” “oh my goodness,” etc.), wouldn’t it be better if we learned self-control?

Jesus warns that careless words will be judged (Mt. 12:36).

So instead of training ourselves to utter acceptable exclamations of surprise, anger, and the like, why don’t we work at simply controlling our tongue? Instead of uttering anything carelessly, let us discipline ourselves to always think before we speak.

When we do that, we won’t have to worry about whether or not some word or phrase has crossed the line into the profane and obscene.

Conclusion

Communication is a great blessing and extremely important. Our speech can and should be used for good.

Through our speech, we share the gospel, praise God, build up and encourage others, defend the truth, offer thanks to both men and God, and more.

But our speech can also be a deadly and destructive force. There are many ways we can abuse the gift of speech, and one of those ways is the use of profanity.

When we use words that profane or blaspheme, we reveal an unholy and unsanctified heart.

When we curse, we display a lack of love and a gross misunderstanding of the terror of damnation.

And when we use obscene words and phrases, we demonstrate we have not been transformed and renewed in the likeness of Christ.

Unfortunately, profanity is rampant in our culture, but it shouldn’t be in the church. So let us choose our words wisely and use our speech in the wholesome way Christ calls us to.

As Paul exhorts us in Ephesians 4:29, let us use our speech in ways that build others up.

Be thoughtful about speech, and use speech that discerns a situation and speaks appropriately.

Speak in such a way that we impart grace to others.