A weird epidemic I must address

Jul 26, 2026

Cussing Christians

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nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not appropriate, but rather giving of thanks.

Ephesians 5:4 (WEB)

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Let’s talk about a weird epidemic in modern Christianity:

Christians who drop a lot of swear words.

This isn’t something new, I remember hearing about the “weird preacher who cusses from the pulpit,” back when I was in college.

That’s probably the more extreme example.

But even some everyday people will drop all kinds of “bombs” in their language.

It paints an odd picture for people who are lost.

I get that God forgives our sins.

And because swear words are tied to both culture and language there’s no way for the Bible to give us an exhaustive list of words to avoid.

Besides, we’d just come up with replacement words anyway.

I pick out this verse as an example of the kind of talk we are to avoid.

I’d put cussing in the “filthiness” and “inappropriate” category.

Maybe “foolish talking” too.

Especially foolish if it causes an otherwise Gospel-curious person to conclude that Jesus must not be all that different from everyone else.

I see no profit in cussing.

I suppose there could be some extreme circumstance where a well-placed swear word might be appropriate.

But that would take a lot of wisdom to decide when, of the very few times, it could used.

Rule of thumb:

Keep your talk wholesome and cuss free.

— Ricky Ketchum