Can Christians swear?

A black and white video regarding those who use colourful language.

Research Transcript is below

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Written and produced by David Harris
Narrated by Callum Spence-Ross
Recorded and mastered by Bogdan Lazar - Studio Elim:

~~~~~RESEARCH TRANSCRIPT:~~~~~
The main issue regarding swearing is that it is so subjective; what one person considers as swearing might be normal language for another. Even if you bring up verses such as Col 3:8...

“But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.” (NKJV)

...What constitutes as ‘filthy language’? The Bible was written in a different language and in a different time - How then can it simply list every word in every language we should and shouldn't say?

But some things are clear about the way we ought to speak as Christians:
1. We should be “swift to hear” and “slow to speak” (James 1:19).
2. If we are ‘walking in the Spirit’ (Galatians 5:22-23) we should be showing ‘the fruit’ of self-control, which would of course include our tongue.
3. We need to be aware that God judges every ‘idle’ word (Matthew 12:34-37). ‘Idle’ also means ‘careless’ and ‘worthless’. What we say is taken very seriously (Eph 4:29, 1 Peter 3:10, James 3:9-10).
4. It is obvious throughout the Bible that if we are doing or speaking in a certain way to seek approval of this world by acting like non-believers, we are part of this world and not of God (1 John 1:5-7). We should of course be striving to live a life pleasing to God with our whole body, because we were ‘bought at a price’ (1 Cor 6:20).

Therefore, if you find that your speech is defying one or more of these points, you are defying God’s commands - in other words: sinning. It’s a good idea to analyse our words with the above list, to test whether our language matches the Christian lifestyle we ought to have, according to the Bible.

Personally, I have never seen in my life, that when a man or woman grows in the Lord, their speech becomes viler, or less controlled, or has a lower standard of what is considered ‘swearing’. Instead they tend to think before they speak, and endeavour to edify those around. I have witnessed the opposite too: when someone is further from the Lord, so is their tongue more similar to the worlds. You may even notice the occasional blasphemy slip in, such as ‘OMG’…

We must remember that ultimately, it is an issue of the heart, as Jesus said in Matthew 12:33-37:

“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? ---For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.--- But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (NKJV)

So let us focus on the heart directly, feeding it with what is pure, true and holy (Phil 4:8) and everything else - for instance the tongue - should follow appropriately.

Additional verses to look into:
- Proverbs 10:19

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[maryannwisniewski]

I repented from cussing I became born again. I am a new cteature in Christ Im a child of God OUT OF THE ABUNDANCE OF THE MOUTH THE HEART🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑

[hostofsoulslol]

I AM careful with what I say. so when I swear it's more in a controlled manner. bc whenever I say something i mean to say it

[manesculuca]

why is nobody talking about how well edited this video is?

[mikeythewarriormtw]

This helped me. I normally read John 3:16. Earlier this year God told me to read more of the Bible. I reliezed I was sinning still and say for God to help me fix what I needed to fix. It took me a while but I prayed every night for help and every morning to help. It wasn't fully fixed within a day but it got better with God's help after I was praying. This helped with 1 of the things I needed fix.

[adiraFEARSHEAVENLYFATHEREVER]

I need I am around cussing christians and non believers I feel so broken because when i came to JESUS HE took it away then when i was around it so much i deal with it now i deal with ocd on top of it so i thought i had to change the thought to be positive oh man i am in a tail helllpp me what do i :( i dont want to be defileee :(((

[mariagu]

I have been swearing a lot recently and I came to realise that kind words are STRONGER and has better effect on people.❤️but I don't judge on people who swears xxx

[dangert]

I love how you used a verse but also showed the verses before and after the verse you used. If that makes sense. Thanks for giving context.❤️✝️

[pizzafireman]

Ephesians 4:29
Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. (NASB)

[wilproduction]

cursing is not cussing swearing is not cussing and speaking foul words not cussing look up the difference pleace God want us to love one another if i called someone dumb thats speaking foul the devil has confused us to think words have power when its the use of the word to love and speak with love is the main key

[KBEAMON]

This is a wonderful video. Broken down very well. I'm passing this on. God bless

[lightoffaithfulness]

VERY true! Thank you for making this video.

[ac]

Im fairly new to the faith so i had a question on specific words/phrases deemed to be blasphemous: (WARNING: possibly offensive phrases incoming!!!) I read some scripture and looked to define the arbitrariness of language use corresponding to the covenants of scripture. I kind of found it weird that “OMG” is considered blasphemy when versions of bible’s context on the 3rd commandment seems to be centered around using God’s name to demand an action from God or falsify an oath, etc. So things like “God told me to tell you...”, “i swear to God...” or “God damn -such and such-” out of falsehood, vanity or anger i believe are clearly blasphemy because it ruins God’s reputation. But i find exclamations like “oh God this coffee is amazing!” or “Oh my God that scared me!” do not seem to be a prophetic lie on behalf of God or making demands of God. Not only that, but God’s true name is “Y*W*” as God the father and “Jesus Christ” as God the son, but saying “God” is a generic English term for the word “deity”. I’d also apply this same arbitrariness to words like “damn” or “hell”. While these two worlds themselves involve serious matters of the spirit, one refers to an action meaning “to cast judgement/determine a fate” and the other: “a place that is unholy and filled with suffering” neither definitions invoke the name of God in its use and as long as there is no call to “condemn/curse” is not vanity of God’s name as i understand it. So i argue this may not be blasphemy. Also it seems to me arbitrary swear words like “s**t” or “f**k” (when not referring to sex) are not sinful as long as they’re not used in excess and with a mindful intention to not offend others. But again i’ve recently converted so im prepared to be corrected and any input would be helpful, but what do you guys think about this? Anyone else feel similarly?

[spedgonzales]

i just cussed out satan i figured one final cuss session to all that’s wrong in this world would do me good i feel better now 😌

[at]

Sweraing is a very intense subject however this video is absolutely correct, any speach that we do that doesnt edify someone is wrong period (Eph 4:29). I cursed worst then majority of people when i was Catholic and my wife, while we were dating, showed me i was wrong after i became a born again christian and was in the word(getting spiritually feed), i noticed in a few months my words no longer including cursing.... if you are claiming Christ and are cursing you are not spiritual alive in Christ. So there are to options 1. you are stalled in your walk with Christ or 2. if you are truely even a Christian when in fact you could really be a "false convert"....cursing is wrong in the eyes of the Lord, do not justify your sin, turn away from it and repent and work on your heart by being in the Word, to have the conviction of change in controlling your tongue.

[DeYAHYsrael]

said: IT'S THE SCRIPTURES OF THE BIBLE SPEAKING. WE READ WHAT IT SAY. Some people always trying to justify their 'wrong.'  I see this video as a helper to those seeking Truth From The Scriptures. Atheists, or unbelievers; This is NOT for you.

[northernpike]

most important part for me was "it was all completely true"..backed up bu scripture

[adiraFEARSHEAVENLYFATHEREVER]

awesomeeee thank YOU JESUS for using this person. Bless them 100 fold.

[hoodagooboy]

I grew up in a house where my dad could cuss the wall paper off of the wall. I also talked like that... until I became a Christian. The day after accepting Christ I started to say the "S" word, but it was stopped in my throat and the words shot into my brain "don't talk like that anymore!". I realized it was God talking, all I could say was "OK". He removed those words - THAT DAY- from me.

[angels]

Good video, you are right! We need to watch our mouths very carefully. I’m pointing at myself

[heavenbound]

Matthew 15:11, 18
KJV Bible
[11] Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
[18] But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.