Today we will talk about bible verses about swearing. Many Christians do not know what this means. Be in the mode of meditation as we read through Gods word. We will look at what the Bible says about oaths, taking the name of the Lord in vain, coarse talk, cursing others, and vows we make. As we read, let us listen with open hearts. We will see that God cares about our words because our words reveal our hearts. We will also learn practical steps we can take to keep our speech clean and honest. Let us come together in a friendly spirit. We will encourage one another as we study these bible verses about swearing. We will seek to understand both the rules and the heart behind them. May our reading lead us into better speech, deeper honesty, and more loving words toward our neighbors and God.
Matthew 5:37
“But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” – Matthew 5:37
bible verses about swearing
Oaths and Promises
When we study bible verses about swearing, we find clear teaching on oaths and promises. As a community, we learn that God cares about truth and the way we bind ourselves by words. Oaths were common in the culture of the Bible. People used heaven, earth, or sacred things to make their promises weighty. Yet Jesus and later New Testament writers taught us to prefer plain honesty over heavy vows. We are reminded that making many dramatic oaths can hide a heart that is not trustworthy. Instead, we are told to be people whose simple yes means yes and whose simple no means no. This helps us live with integrity. As we read the bible verses about swearing in this section, let us listen for how God wants our speech to match our character. Our promises should be taken seriously, but we should not pile on oaths as a substitute for steady, truthful living. We will practice making promises we can keep, and we will work to be people who do not need extra vows to prove our word. In doing so we honor God and help others trust us more. These verses show us the heart of honest speech and call us to be consistent and dependable in what we say.
Matthew 5:34
“But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is Gods throne:” – Matthew 5:34
Matthew 5:35
“Neither by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.” – Matthew 5:35
Matthew 5:36
“Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.” – Matthew 5:36
Matthew 5:37
“But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” – Matthew 5:37
James 5:12
“But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, nor by earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea, and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.” – James 5:12
bible verses about swearing
Taking God’s Name in Vain
In our study of bible verses about swearing, we cannot miss the command about Gods name. We are told not to take the name of the Lord in vain. This speaks to more than words. It calls us to respect God in how we live and speak. When we use the Lord’s name carelessly, we cheapen the honor that belongs to him. That can look like casual curses, false claims of divine approval, or using God’s name to justify wrong choices. As a group, we want to honor God with reverent speech and faithful living. We will think about how our casual phrases might slip into disrespect. We will also notice that the Old Testament takes this seriously as a sign of deep covenant faith. These bible verses about swearing remind us that the divine name is holy. We will practice pausing before we speak, avoiding flippant uses of the Lord’s name, and confessing when we misuse it. Over time, this choice helps our speech reflect the faith we claim. When we honor God in our words, others see a faith that is consistent and real. Let these verses guide us toward a reverent habit of speech.
Exodus 20:7
“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
Leviticus 19:12
“And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.” – Leviticus 19:12
Leviticus 24:16
“And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death: all the congregation shall stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the LORD, shall be put to death.” – Leviticus 24:16
Deuteronomy 5:11
“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.” – Deuteronomy 5:11
Matthew 23:16
“Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor.” – Matthew 23:16
bible verses about swearing
Filthy Speech and Coarse Jesting
When we explore bible verses about swearing, we learn that the Bible cares about the quality of our speech. Filthy talk, crude jokes, and mean-spirited humor do not build up the body of Christ. Instead they tear people down and harm our witness. As a community, we are nudged toward speech that gives grace to the listener. That means choosing words that uplift and heal rather than shock or offend. The New Testament points us to speech that ministers to others and to thankfulness rather than crude jesting. We will find it helpful to think about our daily conversations. Do we laugh at jokes that put others down? Do we use language that makes light of sin or pain? These bible verses about swearing teach us to put away filthy communication and to turn toward gentle, truthful, and helpful talk. We will practice replacing harsh words with kindness and jokes that unite rather than divide. We aim to be a people whose talk reflects the love we have received from God. This change makes our homes and churches safer places for growth and healing. Let these verses guide our choices about humor and the words we let out of our mouths.
Ephesians 4:29
“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.” – Ephesians 4:29
Ephesians 5:4
“Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.” – Ephesians 5:4
Colossians 3:8
“But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.” – Colossians 3:8
Proverbs 4:24
“Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.” – Proverbs 4:24
Titus 2:8
“Sound speech that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.” – Titus 2:8
bible verses about swearing
Cursing Others and Blessing Instead
As we read bible verses about swearing, we find strong instructions about how to treat those who hurt us. The Bible tells us not to curse or seek revenge. Instead we are called to bless and pray for those who curse us. That can feel very hard and countercultural. Yet this teaching shows us how God breaks cycles of harm. When we choose to bless rather than curse, we stop passing on pain to others. We also reflect Gods own way of mercy and patience. As a group, we will practice praying for our critics and offering honest kindness. These acts do not mean we ignore justice. They mean we do not repay hurt with hateful words. Instead we become a witness to a different way. The bible verses about swearing in this section encourage us to keep our tongues from harm and to act as agents of reconciliation. We will find that blessing others can soften our hearts and open doors for healing. Let us build a habit of speaking toward peace and praying for those who have wronged us.
Luke 6:28
“Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.” – Luke 6:28
Romans 12:14
“Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.” – Romans 12:14
Matthew 5:44
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you;” – Matthew 5:44
1 Peter 3:9
“Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.” – 1 Peter 3:9
Proverbs 24:17
“Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:” – Proverbs 24:17
bible verses about swearing
False Witness and Lying
When we study bible verses about swearing, we find strong warnings about false witness and lying. The Scriptures show that to lie about another person damages both the person and the community. False words destroy trust and make justice hard to find. God asks us to speak truth both in private and in public. As a group, we value truth that protects the weak and helps relationships grow. We will avoid gossip, exaggeration, and any speech that misleads. The Bible links truth with righteousness, and false witness with sin. Our aim is to become a people who refuse to pass on harmful tales and who correct others gently when we hear them. These bible verses about swearing remind us that honesty matters to God. We will practice telling the truth in love, even when the truth is hard. Over time, this makes our families, churches, and communities safer and stronger. Truth-bearing builds trust, and trust builds peace. Let us choose truth and speak it plainly and kindly.
Exodus 20:16
“Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.” – Exodus 20:16
Leviticus 19:11
“Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another.” – Leviticus 19:11
Proverbs 12:22
“Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.” – Proverbs 12:22
Proverbs 14:5
“A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.” – Proverbs 14:5
Psalm 101:7
“He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.” – Psalm 101:7
bible verses about swearing
Perjury and Legal Swearing
In reading bible verses about swearing we meet rules about legal oaths and court matters. The Bible shows that lying under oath is a serious wrong. Legal promises and testimonies shape the course of justice. We as a people want to support truth in judgment and not allow false claims to harm another. The Old Testament gives laws to protect people from false witnesses, and the prophets call out those who love false oaths. When we take an oath in a court or before God, we must follow through. Perjury breaks trust and can ruin lives. As a community we should promote fair trials and honest testimony. We will teach one another to respect the power of sworn words and to avoid making careless oaths. These bible verses about swearing help us see the social cost of false testimony and why God hates it. We will stand for truth in courts and in daily life, keeping our words honest even when it costs us something. In that way we honor God and protect the innocent.
Numbers 30:2
“If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.” – Numbers 30:2
Psalm 15:4
“In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.” – Psalm 15:4
Zechariah 8:17
“And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the LORD.” – Zechariah 8:17
Proverbs 19:9
“A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.” – Proverbs 19:9
Deuteronomy 19:18
“And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother;” – Deuteronomy 19:18
bible verses about swearing
Vows to God and Keeping Promises
When we approach bible verses about swearing concerning vows, we discover a steady call to keep our promises to God. Making a vow is serious. The Bible tells us that vows should not be delayed and should be paid. That teaches us to think carefully before we promise. We will not make impulsive vows. When we do vow something to God, we will follow through. This keeps our relationship with God honest. It also keeps our conscience clear. As a group, we agree to be careful with promises we make in prayer, worship, and daily life. The Scriptures warn that God will hold us to our vows. So we will teach our children good habits of promise-keeping and humility. These bible verses about swearing remind us that words to God matter. We will also learn to avoid vain vows that make us look pious but do not come from a faithful heart. Honest, kept vows deepen our trust in God and shape us into people of integrity. Let our actions match our prayers and our promises be a sign of true devotion.
Ecclesiastes 5:4
“When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.” – Ecclesiastes 5:4
Ecclesiastes 5:5
“Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.” – Ecclesiastes 5:5
Ecclesiastes 5:6
“Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?” – Ecclesiastes 5:6
Deuteronomy 23:21
“When thou shalt vow a vow unto the LORD thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the LORD thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee.” – Deuteronomy 23:21
Numbers 30:3
“But if a woman vow a vow unto the LORD, and bind herself by a vow, being in her fathers house in her youth;” – Numbers 30:3
bible verses about swearing
Taming the Tongue
As we read bible verses about swearing, we meet a strong theme about the tongue. The Bible calls the tongue a small part of the body that can do great harm or great good. We must learn to tame our speech. The New Testament gives clear images: the tongue is like a spark that starts a forest fire, an unruly little thing that causes great trouble if left unchecked. We will work together to give practical help for controlling quick words, harsh replies, and gossip. That includes slowing down before we speak, praying for patience, and learning to listen more. When we control our tongue, we protect relationships and keep our testimony strong. The Bible shows that taming the tongue is not only about willpower. It also flows from a changed heart. As we let kindness and truth grow inside us, our words will follow. These bible verses about swearing encourage us to seek God for help in speech. We will be honest about our failings and support one another in progress. Taming the tongue takes time, but small gains make a big difference for those around us.
James 3:5
“Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth.” – James 3:5
James 3:6
“And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.” – James 3:6
James 3:8
“But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” – James 3:8
Proverbs 21:23
“Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.” – Proverbs 21:23
Matthew 12:36
“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
bible verses about swearing
Speech That Builds Up
When we look at bible verses about swearing, we also find many verses that point us to speech that builds up. God wants our words to help others grow. That means we should give encouragement, instruction, correction in love, and comfort where it is needed. Our talk can be like a word fitly spoken, bringing light and hope. The New Testament urges us to speak with grace, seasoned with salt, so that our words are wise and kind. As a group, we will try to be people who encourage and edify one another. That means replacing harsh criticism with honest help and gossip with caring conversation. We will celebrate truthful speech that builds faith and heals wounds. These bible verses about swearing teach us that speech can be a tool of grace when used with thought and love. We will aim to use our words to strengthen families and church life. Over time, building up others becomes a habit that reflects Gods heart toward people. Let us choose words that add life and hope to those around us.
Colossians 4:6
“Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” – Colossians 4:6
Proverbs 15:1
“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” – Proverbs 15:1
Proverbs 25:11
“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” – Proverbs 25:11
1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11
1 Corinthians 14:3
“But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.” – 1 Corinthians 14:3
bible verses about swearing
Heart and Words
As we finish our study of bible verses about swearing, we notice a deep truth: words flow from the heart. The Bible teaches that the mouth reveals what is inside. If we want kinder speech, we must seek a healed heart. That means tending to our inner life with prayer, Scripture, and honest relationships. We will watch how anger, fear, or pride shape our words. When we let God fill us with love and truth, our speech will change naturally. The Bible shows that life and death are in the power of the tongue, and so it points us to heart work that produces good words. As a community, we will help one another grow in heart-change. We will pray for words that reflect our faith. These bible verses about swearing remind us that words are not just outward acts. They come from a deeper place. We will seek right hearts so our mouths will follow. In this way, we become witnesses to Gods transforming power in everyday conversation.
Matthew 12:34
“O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” – Matthew 12:34
Luke 6:45
“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” – Luke 6:45
Proverbs 18:21
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” – Proverbs 18:21
Romans 3:13
“Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips.” – Romans 3:13
Psalm 19:14
“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” – Psalm 19:14
Final Thoughts
I have enjoyed guiding us through these bible verses about swearing. We saw teaching about oaths, using God’s name, filthy speech, curses, lies, vows, and the heart behind our words. We learned that God asks for honest speech, reverence for his name, and gentle words that build others up.
We can practice simple steps together: speak plainly, avoid crude jokes that hurt, keep promises we make to God and people, and pray for a heart that brings forth good words. When we do this, our speech becomes a reflection of Gods love.
Let us go forward as a group and as individuals, asking God to help our words match our faith. We will keep encouraging one another and seek to speak life, truth, and grace in every conversation.
Further Reading
30 Bible Verses About Getting Closer To God (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Removing People From Your Life (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Israel (With Explanation)
30 Bible Verses About Being Lukewarm (With Explanation)
4 Ways to Encounter Grace and Truth: A Study on John, Chapter 4
Bible Commentary, Blog
50 Important bible verses on identity (With Explanation)