Monday, January 15, 2007
Saint John Chrysostom: Stop Swearing

I beseech you, my brothers, to be ever on your guard against the habit of swearing and blaspheming.

If a slave dare to pronounce the name of his master, he does it but seldom, and then only with respect; therefore is it not a shocking impiety to speak with contempt and irreverence of the name of the Master of angels and seraphim? People handle the book of the Gospel with a religious fear, and then only with clean hands, and yet your rash tongue would inconsiderately profane the name of the Divine Author of the Gospel.

Would you wish to know with what respect, fear, and wonder the choirs of the angels pronounce the adorable name? Listen to the prophet Isaiah: " I saw," says Isaiah, "the Lord sitting upon a throne high and elevated; upon it stood the seraphim, who cried one to another and said, Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God of hosts, all the earth is full of His glory."

See with what terror they are seized, even while they praise and glorify Him. As for you, my brethren, you know how cold and indifferent are the prayers you say, and you know how frequently you blaspheme a name so majestic, so sacred, and how you try to make excuses for the bad habit you have contracted. It is easy, yes, I say, it is easy, with a little care, attention, and reflection, to leave off this vicious habit.

Since we have fallen, my brethren, into this sin of blasphemy, I conjure you, in the name of our Lord, to rebuke openly these blasphemers. When you meet with such who publicly sin in this respect, correct them by word of mouth, and, if necessary, by your strong arm. Let these shameless swearers be covered with confusion. You could not employ your hand to a holier work. And if you are given into custody, go boldly before the magistrate, and say in your defense that you have avenged a blasphemy.

For if a person is punished for speaking contemptuously of a prince, is it not reasonable to suppose that a person who speaks irreverently of God should be sentenced to a severer punishment? It is a public crime, a common injury which all the world ought to condemn.

Let the Jews and infidels see that our magistrates are Christians, and that they will not allow those to go unpunished who insult and outrage their Master.

Do you remember that it was a false oath that overturned the houses, temples, and walls of Jerusalem, and from a superb city it became a mass of ruins? Neither the sacred vessels nor the sanctuary could stay the vengeance of a God justly angered against a violater of His word.

Sedecias did not receive a more favored treatment than Jerusalem. Flight did not save him from his enemies. This prince, escaping secretly, was pursued and taken by the Assyrians, who led him to their king. The king, after asking him the reason of his perfidy, not only caused his children to be killed, but deprived him of his sight, and sent him back to Babylon, loaded with iron chains.

Would you know the reason why? It was that the barbarians and Jews who inhabited the country adjoining Persia should know, by this terrible example, that the breach of an oath is punishable.

Saint John Chrysostom, from the Seventh Homily

3 comment(s):

del_button January 18, 2007 at 9:34 PM
Deacon Mike said...

I wonder what St. John Chrysostom would write about the horrific vulgarity that permeates what passes for public discourse today.

Mike

del_button July 11, 2025 at 5:39 AM
Anonymous said...

My swearing comes like a reflex action...any advice,thanks

del_button July 11, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Anonymous said...

1. Recognize the Sinfulness of Swearing

Even if it’s a reflex, it’s still important to acknowledge that swearing offends God, especially when using blasphemous or vulgar language. Traditional Catholics should remember:

Second Commandment: “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.”

Our words reflect our soul: “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh” (Matthew 12:34).


Begin by making a sincere Act of Contrition whenever you fall into the habit, even if you didn’t mean it intentionally. This trains your conscience.


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2. Root Out the Habit Like Any Vice

Treat habitual swearing like a bad habit that must be mortified.

Make it part of your daily examination of conscience.

Confess it regularly in the sacrament of penance, especially if it includes blasphemy.

Keep a tally: Carry a small notebook or use your phone to mark every time you swear. This makes you more aware of how often it happens and shows progress as you improve.



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3. Replace the Reflex

Since swearing often comes in moments of stress or anger, train yourself to replace the reflex with a holy alternative.

Examples:

Instead of swearing, say: “Jesus, Mary, I love You. Save souls.”

Or: “Blessed be God.”

Or simply: “Lord, have mercy.”


This shifts the tongue from a vice to a virtue.


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4. Practice Silence and Meekness

Swearing usually accompanies outbursts of anger or frustration. The virtue of meekness (gentle strength) helps control this.

Read about the lives of saints known for gentleness, like St. Francis de Sales.

If you're prone to swearing when angry, work on curbing anger at its root (another capital sin).

Memorize and meditate on verses like: “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1)



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5. Avoid Occasions of Swearing

If you pick up swearing from your environment—TV shows, coworkers, or friends—be vigilant about your influences.

Consider a media fast or change in what you listen to.

If coworkers swear frequently, say an internal prayer instead of responding in kind.



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6. Ask for Grace

Above all, prayer is key. Pray specifically for the virtue of purity in speech. Pray:

> “O Lord, set a watch before my mouth, and a door round about my lips.”
(Psalm 140:3)



Also consider asking your Guardian Angel to help you notice before the word leaves your lips.

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