What Does the Bible Say About Using Bad Language?

Ephesians 4:29 ESV / 162 helpful votes

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.

Ephesians 5:4 ESV / 125 helpful votes

Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

Colossians 3:8-10 ESV / 110 helpful votes

But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

Matthew 15:11 ESV / 98 helpful votes

It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”

Exodus 20:7 ESV / 65 helpful votes

“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

James 3:1-18 ESV / 43 helpful votes

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! ...

Psalm 34:12-14 ESV / 43 helpful votes

What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

Proverbs 26:20 ESV / 37 helpful votes

For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.

Proverbs 4:24 ESV / 34 helpful votes

Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you.

Psalm 19:14 ESV / 31 helpful votes

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Proverbs 10:18 ESV / 28 helpful votes

The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool.

Proverbs 19:1 ESV / 23 helpful votes

Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.

Proverbs 10:11 ESV / 18 helpful votes

The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

Colossians 4:6 ESV / 16 helpful votes

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Proverbs 19:11 ESV / 14 helpful votes

Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

Proverbs 10:21 ESV / 13 helpful votes

The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense.

Proverbs 10:20 ESV / 13 helpful votes

The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth.

Proverbs 10:14 ESV / 13 helpful votes

The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.

Ecclesiastes 7:9 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools.

Proverbs 19:20 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.

Proverbs 10:19 ESV / 11 helpful votes

When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

Proverbs 29:22 ESV / 7 helpful votes

A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression.

Psalm 145:16-21 ESV / 7 helpful votes

You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them. The Lord preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. ...

Proverbs 17:4 ESV / 6 helpful votes

An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.

Bible Verses about Using Bad Language