What Does the Bible Say About Cursing?

TL;DR: The Bible consistently warns against cursing others and calls believers to respond with blessing instead. Psalms shows that those who love cursing invite its consequences back on themselves Psalms 109:17, while Luke 6:28 directly commands Christians to bless those who curse them Luke 6:28. Even Peter's cursing denial of Christ in Matthew 26:74 stands as a cautionary example Matthew 26:74. Scripture's overall trajectory moves away from cursing and toward blessing, prayer, and integrity of speech.

"Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you." — Luke 6:28 Luke 6:28

This direct command from Jesus sets the New Testament standard: responding to curses with blessing and prayer rather than retaliation. It's a radical inversion of natural human instinct Luke 6:28.

The Old Testament reinforces the moral weight of cursing. Psalm 109:17 warns that a person who loves cursing invites that very curse upon themselves —

"As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him." Psalms 109:17

Meanwhile, Psalm 62:4 exposes the hypocrisy of those who bless with their mouths but curse inwardly, calling out the double-tongued person who can't be trusted Psalms 62:4.

Protestant · Christianity

Protestant View on Cursing

"Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you." — Luke 6:28

Protestant theology generally holds that cursing — whether invoking harm on others or using profane speech — contradicts the Christian calling to reflect God's character. Luke 6:28 is foundational here: Jesus doesn't just discourage cursing; He commands active blessing in its place Luke 6:28.

Psalm 109:28 offers a striking model of how the righteous respond when others curse them: "Let them curse, but bless thou." The psalmist doesn't retaliate — he trusts God and rejoices Psalms 109:28. Protestant preachers frequently cite this as a template for spiritual maturity under persecution.

The story of Peter in Matthew 26:74 — where he began to curse and swear, denying he knew Jesus — is treated as a sobering warning Matthew 26:74. It illustrates how moral failure under pressure can manifest in cursing, and it underscores the need for dependence on God rather than self-reliance.

Psalm 62:4 is also cited in Protestant ethics to condemn inward cursing masked by outward blessing — a form of hypocrisy that God sees clearly Psalms 62:4. Integrity of speech, inside and out, is the standard Scripture holds believers to.

Key takeaways

Jesus commands believers to bless those who curse them and pray for those who mistreat them (Luke 6:28) Luke 6:28.
Psalm 109:17 warns that loving cursing invites that curse back upon oneself Psalms 109:17.
Psalm 62:4 exposes the hypocrisy of blessing outwardly while cursing inwardly Psalms 62:4.
Peter's cursing denial of Christ in Matthew 26:74 serves as a biblical cautionary example of speech failure under pressure Matthew 26:74.
Psalm 109:28 models the righteous response to being cursed: maintain blessing, trust God, and rejoice Psalms 109:28.

FAQs

Does the Bible say cursing comes back on the person who does it?

Yes — Psalm 109:17 states, "As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him." Psalms 109:17 This passage teaches that habitual cursing is spiritually self-destructive, inviting the very harm one wishes on others to return to oneself.

What should a Christian do when someone curses them?

Jesus gives a clear answer in Luke 6:28: "Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you." Luke 6:28 Rather than retaliating, believers are called to actively respond with blessing and intercession — a countercultural posture that reflects Christ's own example.

Is it hypocritical to bless someone with your mouth but curse them in your heart?

Psalm 62:4 directly addresses this: "They bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly." Psalms 62:4 The Bible treats such double-mindedness as a form of deception and moral failure. God sees both the outward word and the inward intention, so integrity of heart and speech is required.

Did anyone in the Bible curse and face consequences?

Peter's denial in Matthew 26:74 — where he "began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man" Matthew 26:74 — is one of Scripture's most poignant examples. Though Peter was later restored, his cursing in that moment represented a profound spiritual low point, and it's widely used as a cautionary example.

What does Psalm 109:28 teach about responding to curses?

Psalm 109:28 says, "Let them curse, but bless thou: when they arise, let them be ashamed; but let thy servant rejoice." Psalms 109:28 It teaches that the righteous don't need to match curses with curses — they can trust God to vindicate them while they maintain a posture of blessing and joy.

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