You have heard them all before, hopefully you have said them, and they’ve been said to you: Bible verses about language. There are lots of these types of verses in the bible and they’re often referenced. If you’re wanting to find out more about swearing, or about the power of words, and want some guidance for what scriptures to read when you want to reflect on and improve your communication style, then read on. And if you don’t want to use bible verses but want some other ideas for improving your language then there are also some great quotes at the end.
There are many verses to see in the Bible that pertain to speech and how we deal with swearing. Below are some of the most talked about verses. I’ve tried to include a wide variety of verses. There are definitely some new things here, as well as more common pieces of advice. Some of them talk about why we use swear words, why not to swear, and what to do when someone else swears around us.
Bible Verses About Language
The Bible contains a number of verses that deal with language. Some are explicit references to language, and others are more implicit.
Here are some examples:
“Let us then follow after the things which make for peace and things wherewith one may edify another.” (Romans 14:19)
“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” (Matthew 12:36)
“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:25)
“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” –Proverbs 18:21 (NIV)
- Romans 3:4-5:
“Let God be true, and every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak according to man.)”
- Isaiah 28:11-12: “For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.”
- 1 Corinthians 14:14-15: “For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.”
- “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.” (Genesis 1:3-4)
Genesis 11:1-9, 21-28
When humans began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of humans were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose. Then the LORD said, “My Spirit will not contend with humans forever, for they are mortal; their days will be a hundred and twenty years.” The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of humans and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown. The LORD saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil all the time. He regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth.” But Noah found favor in
Bible Verses About Speech
The Bible contains many verses about speech. Here are some of our favorites:
“In the mouth of the foolish is a rod for his back, but the lips of the wise will protect them.” (Proverbs 11:3)
“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Proverbs 18:21)
“For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:37)
“A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.” (Proverbs 18:7)
The Bible is full of verses about speech. Here are some of the most popular verses on this subject:
- “Let all things be done decently and in order.” (1 Corinthians 14:40)
- “If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at most three, each in turn, and let one interpret.” (1 Corinthians 14:27)
- “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” (Psalm 34:1)
- “A man’s heart deviseth his way : but the Lord directeth his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)
- “Every word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him.” (Proverbs 30:5)
There is a strong emphasis on the importance of speech in the Bible. This is reflected in many verses, such as Proverbs 10:19, “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking.”
Here are some more Bible verses about speech:
“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Proverbs 18:21)
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.” (Ephesians 4:31)
“But something must be wrong with me because I don’t want to lose this feeling. It’s like when you’re sad but then someone does something nice for you and you feel better.” (John Green, The Fault In Our Stars)
“Be careful not to say anything that can hurt someone else’s feelings by mistake. If you do say something like that by accident, apologize right away.” (“Don’t Say Anything You’ll Regret,” The Berenstain Bears Get Organized.)
“A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own mind. “
“He who keeps the law is a discerning son, but he who is a companion of gluttons shames his father.”
“The wise person will hear and increase learning, and the one who understands will obtain guidance.”
“The lips of knowledge and the heart of understanding are opened by skillful teaching.”
“To open the lips for instruction is appropriate for those who understand it.”
“Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (Ephesians 4:29)
“But let all things be done in a fitting and orderly way.” (1 Corinthians 14:40)
“But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.” (Matthew 12:36)
“For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:37)
Bible Verses About Swearing
Leviticus 19:12 ESV / 2,869 helpful votes
Let your words be few. Do not tell lies or deceive one another.
Matthew 5:34 ESV / 2,608 helpful votes
But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God,
“But I tell you that anyone who swears by the temple, swears by it and by the one who dwells in it. And whoever swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by the one who sits upon it. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.” (Matthew 23:22-23)
“Do not take oaths at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.” (James 5:12-13)
“Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt; so that you will know how you should answer each person.” (Colossians 4:6)
The following Bible verses about swearing, cursing and lying are some of our favorites. They come from the Bible’s Old Testament and New Testament, as well as other books in the Bible.
1 Corinthians 12:3-6: “No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord!’ except in the Holy Spirit. 4 There are different kinds of gifts but the same Spirit; 5 there are different kinds of service but the same Lord; 6 there are different kinds of working but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.”
Proverbs 10:19: “When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.”
Proverbs 12:16: “A fool’s lips walk into a fight and his mouth invites a beating.”
Proverbs 15:4: “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life.”
James 1:26-27: “If anyone thinks he is religious yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress
“Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” (Exodus 20:7)
“For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” (Hebrews 5:13-14)
“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Colossians 3:17)
“Likewise ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5)
1 Corinthians 12:31 – “But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11 – “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as you are doing.”
Ephesians 4:29 – “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Colossians 3:8 – “But now you also, put them all aside : anger , wrath , malice , slander , and abusive speech from your mouth .