Words have weight. They can heal, or they can wound. Every one of us has felt the sting of a harsh word or the warmth of a gentle one. The Bible takes this truth seriously. Scripture teaches us again and again that our words matter, not just in how they affect others, but in how they reflect our relationship with God.
Today, we’ll walk together through what cursing in the Bible really means. We’ll explore the difference between cursing and swearing, what God says about it, the meaning of the biblical curses, and how this teaching applies to your life and mine.
What Is the Biblical Definition of Cursing?
When we hear the word “cursing” today, we often think of foul language or crude words shouted in anger. But in the Bible, the meaning of cursing runs deeper.
To curse, in its biblical sense, means to invoke harm, punishment, or misfortune upon someone or something. It’s more than a slip of the tongue, it’s speaking words that call down evil or judgment.
In Hebrew, the word often used for curse is ’arar, which literally means to bind or hem in with obstacles, placing someone under restriction or judgment. In Greek, the word katara carries the sense of speaking against someone in a way that brings harm.
So, biblically, cursing is not simply “bad words.” It is using language to harm, condemn, or call down divine punishment.
What Does God Say About Cursing?
The Bible is filled with reminders about the power of our words. From Genesis to Revelation, God shows us that what comes out of our mouths reflects what lives in our hearts.
Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”
James 3:9–10 warns, “With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.”
God calls His people to be different. Instead of filling our mouths with curses, He wants us to speak blessing. Jesus Himself taught us in the Sermon on the Mount to “bless those who curse you” (Luke 6:28).
In other words, when others speak harshly, God calls us to answer with kindness.
Think about that for a moment. The natural human reaction to an insult is to snap back. But the divine response is to bless. This isn’t weakness, it’s the strength of God working through us.
The Difference Between Cursing and Swearing
It’s easy to confuse cursing with swearing, but in the Bible they are not quite the same.
Cursing: As we saw, it’s calling down harm or speaking condemnation on someone. It’s spiritual in weight and destructive in intent.
Swearing: This often refers to making an oath or using strong language. In Matthew 5:34, Jesus tells us, “Do not swear an oath at all… But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’”
So while swearing in the modern sense may refer to crude words, in biblical terms it’s more about taking oaths lightly or carelessly using God’s name.
Both cursing and swearing matter because both reveal what’s happening inside of us. Words don’t just slip out of nowhere, they flow from the heart. Jesus said in Matthew 12:34, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”
What Are the 12 Curses in the Bible?
One of the most striking passages on curses comes in Deuteronomy 27. Here, the Levites were commanded to stand on Mount Ebal and pronounce a series of curses on those who disobeyed God’s covenant. These are often referred to as the 12 curses of the Bible.
They include:
Cursed is anyone who makes an idol and sets it up in secret (v.15).
Cursed is anyone who dishonors their father or mother (v.16).
Cursed is anyone who moves their neighbor’s boundary stone (v.17).
Cursed is anyone who leads the blind astray on the road (v.18).
Cursed is anyone who withholds justice from foreigners, orphans, or widows (v.19).
Cursed is anyone who sleeps with his father’s wife (v.20).
Cursed is anyone who has sexual relations with any animal (v.21).
Cursed is anyone who sleeps with his sister (v.22).
Cursed is anyone who sleeps with his mother-in-law (v.23).
Cursed is anyone who kills their neighbor secretly (v.24).
Cursed is anyone who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person (v.25).
Cursed is anyone who does not uphold the words of this law by carrying them out (v.26).
Each curse ended with the people responding, “Amen.” This wasn’t just ritual, it was their way of agreeing that God’s Word was true and binding.
These curses weren’t about small slips of the tongue. They were declarations of judgment against those who turned away from God’s ways.
Cursing in the Life of a Believer
For you and me today, the question isn’t just “What is cursing in the Bible?” but “How does this teaching shape the way I live?”
Here are some reflections:
Cursing reveals the heart. If I find myself constantly speaking harshly, it may mean I need to invite God to heal something deep within me.
Cursing damages relationships. Words spoken in anger can leave scars that last for years.
Cursing dishonors God. Every time I curse another person, I forget they are made in God’s image.
Instead, God calls us to:
Bless others. Speak words of encouragement, even when it’s hard.
Control our tongues. James compares the tongue to a small spark that can set a forest on fire (James 3:5–6). Self-control in speech shows maturity.
Pray before we speak. A whispered prayer, “Lord, guide my words”, can change an entire conversation.
Real-Life Application: Choosing Blessing Over Cursing
I remember visiting a man in the hospital who had lived much of his life with a sharp tongue. His children admitted they avoided him because his words cut them down. As he lay there, he wept, not over his illness, but over the years of broken relationships his cursing had caused.
But the story didn’t end there. Before his passing, he asked for forgiveness, both from his family and from God. He learned, though late, that grace can redeem even a lifetime of harsh words. His children forgave him, and peace entered that room like sunlight breaking through storm clouds.
That moment reminded me that no matter how many times we’ve failed, God’s mercy is greater. You and I can start today to replace curses with blessings.
A Call to Speak Life
Friend, words are powerful. They can build bridges or burn them down. The Bible makes it clear: God desires His people to speak life, not death.
When anger rises, choose silence until peace returns.
When someone wrongs you, bless instead of curse.
When your own heart feels heavy, speak God’s promises out loud.
The world is filled with negativity and harmful speech. But imagine the difference if Christians everywhere chose to speak words of blessing. Our homes, workplaces, and communities would shine with the light of Christ.
Conclusion: Walking in God’s Word About Cursing
So, what is cursing in the Bible? It is speaking words of harm, invoking judgment, or turning our tongues against others. God warns us against it, not just because it hurts others, but because it corrupts our own hearts.
Yet the Bible doesn’t stop with warnings. It calls us higher, to bless, to encourage, to lift up, and to speak words that bring life.
The choice is before each of us daily: curse or bless, tear down or build up. My prayer for you, and for myself, is that we would walk in the Spirit and let our words be seasoned with grace.
As Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:29:
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
May our tongues become instruments of blessing, and may our lives reflect the love of Christ in every word we speak.
