Using Foul Language in Anger and Spiritual Backsliding
Using foul language in anger is considered a manifestation of spiritual backsliding across various Christian traditions. The biblical basis for this understanding is rooted in passages that condemn the use of abusive or filthy language, such as Colossians 3:8, which instructs believers to "put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips" [5]. This verse is part of a larger exhortation to adopt a new way of living characterized by compassion, kindness, and humility.
The connection between foul language and spiritual backsliding is further illuminated by understanding what backsliding entails. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, backsliding involves turning away from God, leaving one's first love, and departing from the simplicity of the gospel [4]. This concept is echoed in Easton's Bible Dictionary, which defines backsliding as apostatizing in matters of religion, a condition that can be either partial or complete [6].
The use of foul language in anger is seen as a symptom of this backsliding because it reflects a failure to control one's tongue, a key aspect of Christian character. Proverbs 15:1 and 15:4 highlight the importance of controlled speech, noting that a soft answer can turn back fury, while a perverse tongue crushes the spirit [1, 2]. The Psalmist also condemns the use of deceitful and evil speech, stating, "You give your mouth to evil. Your tongue frames deceit" [3].
In the view of John Chrysostom, an early Christian father, uncontrolled speech, especially in anger, can lead to significant harm, likening it to throwing precious and non-precious items overboard during a storm, only to regret it once the storm has passed [8]. This perspective underscores the need for self-control and mindfulness in speech.
one commentary tradition by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown interprets "filthy communication" in Colossians 3:8 as "abusive language," emphasizing the need to put away such speech [7]. This interpretation is in line with the broader Christian teaching on the importance of speech that edifies rather than tears down.
The Jewish tradition, as represented by Rashi's commentary on Proverbs 25:23, also recognizes the destructive potential of uncontrolled speech, noting that a backbiting tongue can beget an angry countenance, even causing God's countenance to be angry [9].
Sources
- Proverbs “Proverbs 15:4 (BSB) — A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.”
- Proverbs “Proverbs 15:1 (YLT) — A soft answer turneth back fury, And a grievous word raiseth up anger.”
- Psalms ““You give your mouth to evil. Your tongue frames deceit. -- Psalms 50:19”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Backsliding — Is turning from God -- 1Ki 11:9. Is leaving the first love -- Re 2:4. Is departing form the simplicity of the gospel -- 2Co 11:3; Ga 3:1-3; 5:4,7. God is displeased at -- Ps 78:57,59. Warnings against -- Ps 85:8; 1Co 10:12. Guilt and consequences of -- Nu 14:43; Ps 125:5; Isa 59:2,9-11; Jer 5:6; 8:5,13; 15:6; Lu 9:62. Brings its own punishment -- Pr 14:14; Jer 2:19. A haughty spirit leads to -- Pr 16:18. Proneness to -- Pr 24:16; Ho 11:7. Liable to continue and increase -- Jer 8:5; 14:7. Exhortations to return from -- 2Ch 30:6; Isa 31:6; Jer 3:12,14,22;”
- Colossians “Colossians 3:8 (BSB) — But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Backslide — To draw back or apostatize in matters of religion (Acts 21:21; 2 Thess. 2:3; 1 Tim. 4:1). This may be either partial (Prov. 14:14) or complete (Heb. 6:4-6; 10:38, 39). The apostasy may be both doctrinal and moral.”
- Colossians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Colossians 3:8: But now--that ye are no longer living in them. ye also--like other believers; answering to "ye also" (Col 3:7) like other unbelievers formerly. put off--"Do ye also put away all these," namely, those just enumerated, and those which follow [ALFORD]. anger, wrath--(See on Eph 4:31). blasphemy--rather, "reviling," "evil-speaking," as it is translated in Eph 4:31. filthy communication--The context favors the translation, "abusive language," rather than impure conversation. "Foul language" best retains the ambiguity of the original.”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: lay hands upon be their own or other men’s property, but they throw overboard all the contents without discrimination, alike the precious and what is not such: but when the storm has ceased, then reckoning up all that they have thrown out, they shed tears, and are not sensible of the calm for the loss of what they have thrown overboard: so here, when passion blows hard, and the storm is raised, people in flinging out their words know not how to use order or fitness; but when the passion has ceased, then recalling to mind what kind of words they have ”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on Proverbs 25:23: an angry countenance A backbiting tongue begets [an angry countenance]. Slander causes the countenance of the Holy One, blessed be He, to be angry, and this is the comparison [of the interpretation] of the verse. [The bracketed words do not appear in the Salonica edition, which seems more correct than our edition.] The north wind is accustomed to beget rain and a backbiting tongue is accustomed to [beget] an angry countenance.”