How can one word be considered a “bad word” and another word be just fine? Isn’t a word just a word? Some have tried to justify curse words and foul language by suggesting there is no difference among words at all. What does God say about the matter?
It should be obvious from reading through Scripture that God recognizes significant distinctions between words that are acceptable and those that are not. Consider these words of Jesus: “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” (Matt. 12:36-37). The Lord set apart “idle words” from other words and differentiated between words that would justify and words that would condemn. God does not look at every word the same. There are some we should avoid.
Through inspiration Paul insisted, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth…” (Eph. 4:29). “…Let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting…” (Eph. 5:3-4). “…Put off all…filthy language out of your mouth” (Col. 3:8). The Lord recognizes certain words as being “corrupt,” “foolish,” “coarse,” “filthy,” and not “fitting for saints.” God does not look at every word the same. There are some we should avoid.
My seven-year-old, Katie, wrote on a sticky note, “Dad—Alex said, Oh my gosh is not a bad thing. I told her it is. She won’t listen to me.” A “euphemism” is defined as “the substitution of a mild, indirect, or vague expression for one thought to be offensive, harsh or distasteful.” So, instead of using the Lord’s name in vain, some will use a word or phrase that sounds like it instead. “Oh, my gosh,” instead of “Oh, my God.” “Geez,” instead of “Jesus.” Some will use words like “darn it,” “dang it,” “what the heck,” and other words as substitutes for the more offensive or unacceptable counterparts. God speaks of this when He commands to “abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thess. 5:21), whatever it may look like or sound like. When God condemned the works of the flesh, He also condemned those behaviors that are “like” them (Gal. 5:21).
Our mouths were made for blessing, not cursing. May our words always be what is good for edification!