Why are bad words bad?

God’s Word tells us in Ephesians 4:29: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up (edifying) according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Colossians 3:8 also says: “But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.”

Our words can be used for good and bad; the things that come from our mouths are very important.

Matthew 12:36-37 says:” I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words, you will be condemned.”

Proverbs 12:18 says: “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”

Swearing arouses emotions and some say it can trigger the fight or flight response in people.

We are not to be a stumbling block or cause our brothers and sisters in Christ to stumble; this includes our language.

Romans 14:13: ”Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.”

1 Thessalonians 5:11: “Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.” (NKJV)

Since we are to edify others (build them up), we should not swear because it hinders that ability.

As Christians, we want to be different from the world. We want to stand out and be the light in the darkness. We are not to conform but to be transformed by the renewal of our minds.

If we want to stand out as God’s people and evangelize through the way we live our lives to set a good example as believers before non-believers, then we must tackle the filthy language and rather have pure and edifying speech flow from our mouths.

If we feel bad when we swear then there must be an innate thing that God instilled in us to feel that way. Not only can swearing be damaging for us spiritually, but it can greatly hurt others.

We want to glorify the Lord in everything we do and keeping our language clean is one way of doing that.

By Lynn

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