is swearing sinful?

[evidence]

Is saying “oh my G-d” or “D-mn it”, or “Jumping Jehos…”,or “what the H-ll” sinful? What about just normal “non-religious swear words”. Some say it’s just cultural. Whether it is sinful, or not, is it a good example for others to see a Christian speaking that way?
here’s what scripture and the catechism say:

We all know the commandent:
Ex 20:7 you shall not take the lords name in vain.

But what is(are) God’s name(s)?
Ex 34:5 - Having come down in a cloud, the LORD stood with him there and proclaimed his name, “LORD.”
Jer 44:26 - Therefore hear the word of the LORD, all you of Judah who dwell in the land of Egypt: Behold, I have sworn by my great name, says the LORD, that my name shall no more be invoked by the mouth of any man of Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, `As the Lord GOD lives.’

Obviously, “Jesus” or “Christ” are also God’s names…etc…

but the Catechism goes further (paragraphs 2142-2146). - #2143 - “introduce it not into your speech except to bless, praise, and glorify it.” and #2146 - “the lords name” also extents to use of the names of all the saints!

So, outside of praising them, it seems that it is sinful to use the words: God, Lord, Jesus, Christ, Mary, Jehosephat, etc…

What about cursing, swearing and words like Hell or “for Heaven’s sake”? While I don’t believe they are sinful to speak, there are 2 possible ways they could be sinful: 1. making light of a serious thing - If you knew that someone you know was in Hell, would you joke about it? 2. bad example to others of what a peaceful, prayerful Christian sounds like. Here are the verses that convinced me of this. Am I over the top?

Mt 12:36-37 - “I tell you, on the day of judgment men will render account for every careless word they utter;37: for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Sirach 22:27 - “who will put a seal over my mouth…that my tongue may not destroy me?”
Sirach 23:7-14 - “…there are words that merit death…let not your mouth become used to coarse talk, for in it lies sinful matter…”
Eph 4:25 - 5:4 - “…Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear…Or obscenity, or foolish talking, or scurrility, which is to no purpose; but rather giving of thanks.”
Col 3:8 - “But now you must get rid of all such things anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth.”
2 Tm 2:16 - “Avoid profane chatter, for it will lead people into more and more impiety, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene”.
Ti 2:7-8 - “Show yourself in all respects a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, gravity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be censured; then any opponent will be put to shame, having nothing evil to say of us.”
Jam 3:1-12 “…From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.”
Rm 12:2 - “be not conformed to this age…”.
Rm 12:12 - “be constant in prayer”

 

[06convert]

Out of respect and reverance for God, Mary, and the saints. We shouldn’t use their names to swear, or spout out exclaimations. AKA in vain.

Aside from that it’s the context in which you use your words.

If you are just spouting out a few words with your friends, then there isn’t really any harm done.

Of course if you were spouting those words with children present, there could be harm done there.

Also directing any words, swear words or otherwise at someone trying to tear them down, or whatever isn’t good either.

 

[Mel_Stones]

Using any of God’s names or slang for His name for no good reason (in vain), using God to prove what you say is true except for serious matters such as in court (swearing) and using God’s name in damnation or to wish harm on another (cursing), all fall under the second commandment and are therefore sinful.

 

[m134e5]

Swearing isn’t normally a sin, it’s just bad manners. It can be a venial sin if you do it in front of the wrong person and it scandalizes them. It can be a mortal sin against charity if you swear at someone with the intention of seriously offending them.

If you involve God’s name in the swearing, I would say it’s a mortal sin unless it’s habitual (and you should definitely work to overcome the habit- which includes confessing it).

 

[evidence]

I think the catechism and scripture(see quotes above) go beyond just not swearing in front of others or children. It betrays a lack of purity (unless done out of righteous anger, which is very rare) without which we will not enter heaven. Also, the catechism makes it clear that “God’s name” applies to anything holy or serious,(heaven, hell, saints’ names, etc…) Not just his proper name(s).

 

[Lief_Erikson]

Swearing is a sin. Often a venial sin, but sometimes it can be mortal. Try not to do it and you are doing God’s will, and as long as you are trying not to do it, you won’t commit a mortal sin. Accidentally taking God’s Name in vain is not a mortal sin – for instance if you do it without knowing it’s bad, or it just slips out or you do it without thinking. Mortal sin is always deliberate. The more you try to avoid these sins, the easier it becomes, and as long as you’re trying to avoid it, you are not going to be sinning mortally.

Ephesians 5:1-4

1Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

3But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.