How does our Language speak?
The question of whether Christians should use “bad words” comes up a lot, and it’s one I’ve wrestled with personally. Just the other day, my family and I were talking about it, and the more I dig into Scripture, the more I realize that the issue is much deeper than the words being spoken and more about the heart behind them.
Is Language Itself Sinful?
Language evolves. Words that were once considered shocking may become casual, while words once harmless can turn offensive. Because of that, I don’t believe there is anything inherently sinful about a particular word, like damn. The real question is: where is the word coming from?
If I say “darn” or “dingit” in anger, I haven’t escaped the issue just because I used a “clean” substitute. The problem isn’t the vocabulary—it’s the lack of self-control in my heart. It’s acting on impulse rather than through the Spirit. Jesus taught us that it’s what comes out of the heart that defiles (Mark 7:20–23).
Biblical Examples of Strong Language
Sometimes the prophets and apostles used strong, even shocking, words to communicate truth. Language that would make our modern-day heads spin if we heard it uttered in a Christian setting!
Philippians 3:8 “What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ”.
Paul says everything apart from knowing Christ is “garbage.” The Greek word used here is skubalon, and can mean dung, refuse, or even a vulgar equivalent of “crap.” One could say this would be the modern-day equivalent of Paul saying that everything in life apart from Christ isn’t worth s***. His point is that Christ should be the center of all things because he is the only thing that matters.
Matthew 23:27, 33 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead….You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?”
John 8:44 “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires.
Jesus calls the Pharisees “whitewashed tombs,” “snakes”, a “brood of vipers”, and even sons of Satan! In His cultural setting, these were among the harshest insults possible. Can you imagine the controversy or the scandal that would be caused by calling respected clergy today “sons of hell” or “snakes.”?
Ezekiel 23:20-21 “There she lusted after her lovers, whose genitals were like those of donkeys and whose emission was like that of horses. So you longed for the lewdness of your youth, when in Egypt your bosom was caressed and your young breasts fondled”.
The prophet uses explicit, sexual and graphic imagery to describe Israel’s unfaithfulness. It was intentionally offensive, meant to shock people into recognizing their sin.
I think that main difference that we always need to keep in mind is that this was not "casual" speak for the prophets and apostles. It was specifically used at specific times to get across a point and teach a spiritual truth when no other words seemed to fit the urgency of the point they needed to convey. Their words were never spoken in anger but in righteous teaching and judgment.
When we lose our vocabulary in anger or excitement, it shows a lack of self-control, and a lack of self-control is something that the Bible explicitly says follows those who do not follow Christ. So if we can't control our language and we just start saying things out of habit or out of anger or bitterness or any other emotion, then it doesn't matter what words we're using, we're showing the world that there's no difference between us and them.
Anger, Self-Control, and the Tongue
The Bible makes a distinction between righteous anger and sinful anger. Jesus displayed righteous anger when He confronted the Pharisees or when He overturned the tables in the temple (John 2:13–16). But sinful anger is uncontrolled, selfish, and destructive.
That’s where our speech comes into play. If I hit my elbow and mutter, “that hurt” with a slip of language, I don’t think that’s the same as exploding in a string of curses that flow from pride, bitterness, or the need to assert myself. The first shows human emotion; the second shows a lack of self-control.
Paul was clear: “I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:27). Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23), and the way we use our words reveals whether the Spirit is governing us or not.
Living Differently in a World Without Restraint
The tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk is a stark reminder of the times we’re living in. In the aftermath, instead of sorrow or compassion, many voices online rushed to mock, curse, and even celebrate his death. The sheer lack of empathy in those responses reveals just how broken our culture has become when it comes to the use of words. And I can say that I have seen it on both sides, even in many of the responses coming from so-called “Christians”!
This is exactly why our language matters. What we say exposes our hearts. Jesus warned that “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). The online vitriol we see isn’t just about politics or personalities—it’s evidence of pride, hatred, and a spirit that refuses to love even in the face of tragedy.
As Christians, we are called to stand apart from this. Our words should not echo the world’s rage but instead reflect Christ’s love, discipline, and truth. That doesn’t mean we water down truth or avoid hard conversations—it means we speak them with grace, control, and compassion.
In moments when the world explodes with venom, the church should shine as a community marked by self-control and empathy. Our speech, even when firm, should point people toward the hope of Christ, not deepen the cycle of bitterness and hate.
Conclusion
I don’t think the Bible calls us to never feel anger or to panic every time we misspeak. God gave us emotions for a reason. But He does call us to let those emotions be ruled by His Spirit. Whether we use “big” curse words or “soft” substitutes, the heart issue is the same: are we showing self-control, or are we letting anger and pride take over?
Having said that, I want to make it abundantly clear that this is not an advocacy for the use of foul language nor the endorsement of it. The language we use matters, and the people around us who are watching our lives and listening to our speech should see a clear distinction between the way we act and the way the world acts. For this reason, it is my personal opinion that we should avoid foul language as much as possible and that we should exercise constraint and control over our tongue. But at the end of the day, our goal isn’t just to avoid certain words. Our goal is to speak in a way that reflects Christ—to build others up, to remain disciplined, and to show the world that we belong to Him.
