In the New Testament, Jesus and the apostles teach that our words have the power to bless or harm others. Ephesians and James emphasize the importance of speaking truthfully and kindly, warning against corrupt or careless speech. James 5:12 and Matthew 5:22 specifically caution against making oaths or using derogatory language, while Ephesians 5:4 and James 3:10 urge believers to use their words to edify and uplift one another. By following these teachings, Christians can cultivate a manner of speaking that honors God and promotes harmony with others.
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Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.
Above all, my brothers, do not swear, not by heaven or earth or by any other oath. Simply let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, so that you will not fall under judgment.
Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving.
But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.
You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave anyone unpunished who takes His name in vain.
But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
The good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil treasure of his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.
You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure. But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ But I tell you not to swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor should you swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ Anything more comes from the evil one.
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless.