Questions and Answers

Do I Have To Stop Cussing If I Am A Christian?
By Adam Bartlett

The Bible does say things about our speech but it does not mention specifically about the use of words that have been incorporated into how people talk today. If we are a Christian the first thing we must understand is what that means to be one and what is expected of us. Jesus said that we are not to be like the world and that the world would hate us if we were like Him. If the world uses that type of language then it would make sense that it should be something we abandon.

I was told something in my early Christian days that helped me tremendously and made me look at things much differently. This is basically what my mentor told me that was so inspirational to me. They said, “Would you expect Jesus to talk like that or use that type of language if He were here right now?” Something so simple yet so profound when you think about it. When we ask Jesus to be our Lord and Savior, His spirit comes and dwells within us so in essence He is with us always. So when we are around others who are cursing and using foul language He is there and if we join in and use that type of language we are saying it as if He were standing right in front of us.

That in itself should answer this question but we will look at what the Bible says about our speech and relationship with Jesus.

What the Bible says:

Matthew 12
34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
35 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.
36 But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.
37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."


Luke 6
22 Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.

Ephesians 4
29 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.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.


Ephesians 5
11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.


Philippians 4
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.


Colossians 4
6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Titus 2
7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness
8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.


Luke 6
46 "Why do you call me, `Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?


I believe that the scriptures make it abundantly clear that our relationship with Jesus should change the way we speak and act and think. People should see a difference in the way we were and the way we are after our conversion. That difference should also be evident in our speech. I believe even though the scriptures do not specifically address using curse words themselves, they do point to the fact that our speech should reflect our new relationship with Jesus.

I would also like to use another example to prove the point. Remember when Jesus was on trial before the Jewish leaders and Peter had followed into the Temple courts. There was a lady that recognized him as one of the disciples and Peter denied it. He not only denied it but it says he cursed and denied it. He was using that language to try to show that he was not one of Jesus’ followers. It was not good enough to just deny Jesus he used those words to associate himself with the other non believers of Jesus. In answer to the question above, yes, our speech should change and the words used by the world should not be a part of our vocabulary anymore. If I wouldn’t expect Jesus to talk like that then I need to not talk that way. Jesus would not use that language and His Word does not condone it.

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