FOUL LANGUAGE

Every Christian is surely well aware that foul language has no part in the conversation of a child of God. Yet, due to the fact that such a practice in the world has escalated to epidemic proportions, this truth must be stressed, lest any of us become effected (1 Cor. 15:33).
The American Heritage Dictionary defines the words: (1) cuss, as “to curse or curse at;” (2) swear, as “to use profane oaths, curse;” and (3) curse, as “an appeal or prayer for evil or injury to befall someone or something…A profane oath or foul language.” Thus, cussing and swearing is a profane oath or declaration at someone or something, or (simply) foul language.
In light of this, it is acknowledged then, if the Bible teaches that (1) a profane declaration at someone or something, or (2) foul language is sinful, then the use of those words is prohibited by God.
Colossians 3:8 states: “But now ye also put off all these;…filthy communication out of your mouth.” AISCHROLOGIA is the original word from which “filthy communication” is translated, and it is defined as “vile or obscene language, foul talk” (Analytical Lexicon), and “foul speaking, low and obscene language, foul talk” (Thayer). Thus, words that are vile (disgusting, unpleasant, objectionable), obscene (indecent, vulgar) or foul (dirty, offensive) are words that are not to be spoken.
Ephesians 4:29 adds “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” The Greek word here is SAPROS which means “corrupt, rotten, primarily of vegetable and animal substances, expresses what is of poor quality, unfit for use, putrid” (Vine); “bad, evil unwholesome…an evil word, evil speech” (Arndt and Gingrich). Thus, just as some vegetables, meats and fish are fresh and edible while others become rotten and unfit to eat, so are some words which are wholesome while others are unfit to say. Such words are corrupt (marked by immorality and perversion), rotten (morally corrupt or despicable), unfit for use, putrid corrupt, morally rotten), bad, evil and unwholesome and are not to be used.
Romans 12:14 charges “Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.” The word to understand is KATARAOMAI, meaning “to curse, doom, imprecate evil on” (Thayer). Thus, any form of verbally pronouncing evil wishes against another person or object is cursing and is not to be done.
Yes, the Bible DOES teach that (1) a profane declaration at someone or something, or (2) foul language is sinful. May our good and pure God (the One whose characteristics we are to bear) help us to avoid such ungodly language.
Gary Henson