Is Cursing a Sin?

Is cursing a sin? What a great question. Simply put: Yes.

“Let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth (Ephesians 4:29).”

Be a Blessing

It’s not just cursing, but anything we say (or do) that’s not a blessing. Yes, that’s a high standard. But this is God’s standard for His children: 

“Walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth) (Ephesians 5:8-9).” 

Kingdom Conditions Now

In God’s future Kingdom, we will do things “on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10).” Since believers are in God’s Kingdom, we bring Kingdom behavior now.

A Fragrant Aroma

Paul tells us to be imitators of God and Christ. When our behavior and speech are pure, we are a fragrant aroma to God. 

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma (Ephesians 5:1-2).”

In the Old Testament, proper sacrifices brought a soothing aroma to the Lord. When Noah offered a sacrifice after getting off the ark, it pleased the LORD: 

Then Noah built an altar to the LORD, and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar…. The LORD smelled the soothing aroma (Genesis 8:20-21).

We can bring that soothing aroma to God by walking in love, and proper speech is a fruit of love.

Warning Against Filthy Talk

God also forbids filthy talk, dirty jokes, and sexual innuendos to children of God. 

“But…as is proper among saints…there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this, you know with certainty that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God (Ephesians 5:4-5).

Warning Against Oaths

But what about Peter? you may ask. The Bible says that when he denied Jesus, he began to curse and swear.

“A little later the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Surely you too are one of them; for even the way you talk gives you away.” Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know the man (Jesus)!” And immediately a rooster crowed (Matthew 26:73-74).” 

Bible scholars think Matthew didn’t mean that Peter used profanity but that He made an oath to God, or something representing God, like the temple, to witness his truthfulness. I’m not sure if that’s any better than what we call cursing because he lied under oath. Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount, discouraged us from taking any unnecessary oaths:

“But I say to you, take no oath at all, neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God,  nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet.…But make sure your statement is, Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil origin (Matthew 5:34-36).”

Yes, Cursing is Sin

And with filthy talk all around us, all are guilty of thoughts and words. But God, through Jesus, forgives us, His children, when we confess (1 John 1:8-9). 

Find this forgiveness that God offers freely. Please watch the GREAT NEWS FOR YOU video on this page.

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If this video connected with you in some way, and you’d like to find out more about having a relationship with God and how His forgiveness and grace applies to you, a great place to start is praying the prayer below. The words themselves aren’t magic, but if you earnestly pray them and mean them, God will hear you! He’ll help you in ways you don’t understand, and we’ll help you find support and next steps.

The Prayer

Jesus, I don't know You, and I don't know what Your plan is for me. But thank you for coming to die in my place. I'm sorry for anything I've ever done wrong in my life. I don't understand how You could ever forgive me, but if You really would, I would like to accept your free gift of grace and complete forgiveness. Please come into my life and take control, and help me trust You. In Jesus' name I pray,

Did you pray this prayer?

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If you really meant that prayer, the next step is to get you connected with other Christ-followers near you so you can grow, learn and become stronger in your faith.

Click the CONNECT NOW button below to find a group of believers who can help you establish that relationship with God that you’ve only just begun.

God loves you – specifically you! And because He does, you have a bright future! Trust Him to help you find it.

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Take the next step and get to know others just like you who are looking for real answers. You will find amazing support and community, and answers to questions you may have not even thought to ask!

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