I know, such a strong topic, kinda kicks you in the pants:)  I was asked this question by a dear friend of mine and as with anything else, if I can’t immediately come up with a STRONG, very biblical and convincing answer, then I go to research!  So here is what I found:)

“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification that it may impart grace to the hearers” Ephesians 4:29

Now this scripture although convincing, may not really convince one who says they aren’t cussing in front of anyone, therefore who cares if it edifies anyone? Well, it would be good not to have corrupt words come out of our mouths for our own edification and not to grieve the Holy Spirit in our lives. 

But what about Ephesians 4:31 “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice(evil speaking)”

Really cussing comes from anger or wrath, and cussing is definitely evil speaking(especially if the words you use in your cussing are evil-ish).  The kicker with this scripture is if you go to the one before it v.30.  “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” If you were graciously sealed for the day of redemption then why on earth would we want to do anything purposefully to grieve the Giver of Life?

“…neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor course jesting, which are not fitting but rather giving thanks.” Ephesians 5:4

Cussing really is foolish talking.  I mean think about it, we are frustrated because we just knocked our pinky toe on the couch and it hurt like-alot!  but it wasn’t the couches fault, and yet we curse the couch!

Two other great ones:

“Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man, but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.” Matthew 5:11

“But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.” Colossians 3:8

So, I love Colossians and to really get the full impact of the entire scripture above you need to go back to verse 5….basically it says you’ve put death whatever belongs to your earthly nature, because the wrath of God is coming.  So stop walking in the old ways and then on to verse 10…you are being renewed in knowledge in the image of your Creator!!!

Now, a good friend who should have her own blog but doesn’t think so says this “Is there a time for a strong exclamation to vent frustration, surprise or injury? You bet!  Does it have to be disrespectful with references to sex, or hell, or body secretions or a persons mental abilities? Absolutely not!  I’ll receive a blessing over a curse any day.  Blessings create a positive environment- now that could be a whole other post…”

And with that I leave you with focusing on changing the atmospheres of our environments in positive ways, cussing probably doesn’t do that!