In order to answer this question, let's ask another:

"What is swearing?"

     WEBSTER'S DICTIONARY helps answer that question by giving us information on
     these words:

          SWEAR - to invoke the name of a sacred being in an oath; to use profane
          language.
          INVOKE - to call upon.
          SACRED - holy; entitled to reverence (honor and respect)
          OATH - an irreverent or careless use of a sacred name.
          PROFANE - to debase or defile what is holy; to treat unworthily.

            "Swearing," then, would be to use the name of God (who deserves honor and
     respect) carelessly and unworthily.

     Exodus 20:7 says, "You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain.
     For the Lord will not leave unpunished him who takes his name in vain."

            Taking the name of the Lord "in vain" means using it lightly or thoughtlessly..... or,
     as Webster says, giving it "no real value."

            Good Christians do not carelessly use the term "God," or on any occasion
     combine it with such words as "damn". They know that this is taking God's name "in
     vain." Doing so is a...sin. BUT... many Christians who do not WANT to "swear"
     or take God's name in vain, are doing just that when they use such words as "Gosh,"
     "Golly," "Gee," and other similar expressions.

            Once again, the dictionary helps us understand what these words mean.
                    It gives us these definitions:

          GEE - a form of Jesus.
        GOLLY - a euphemism for God. (Euphemism - the substitution of one word for
          another.)
        GOSH - a substitute for God.

            Another word that some Christians seem to use easily is "darn" (or "darned").
     Webster's definition for these words is simply "damn" or "damned." To say, "Gol-darn
     it" is the same as combining the two words, "God and damn" and adding "it." Also, "I'll
     be darned" is saying "I'll be damned." No one really wants to be damned! How about
     the word "heck." The dictionary says that it is another word for "hell."

            The use of these kinds of words is very contrary to what the Bible says about our
     speech. For example, our Lord Jesus said, "But I say to you, do not swear at all...
     but let your `Yes' mean `Yes', and your `No' mean `No.' Anything more is from
     the evil one." (Mt 5:34 & 37)

            If we could write down every word we say in a day, and then read what we have
     said: we'd find that we use many "idle words" - words just to fill up a sentence, to fill a
     vacancy when we don't know what else to say. In Matthew 12:36 and 37, the Lord
     Jesus gave this important warning:

            "I tell you on the day of judgement people will render an account for every
     careless word they speak. By your words you will be acquitted, and by your
     words you will be condemned."

            Yes..... I know that most Christians who use such words do not MEAN to be
     swearing. But if we try to excuse ourselves by saying that these words slip out by
     accident, we need to listen to what God says in the book of James:

            "If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue, but
     deceives his heart, his religion is vain." (James 1:26)

            "The tongue... is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the
     Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who are made in the
     likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. This need
     not to be so, my brothers." (James 3:8-10)

            So... let's be careful of what we say! Let's "clean up" our language! Remember,
     we are accountable to God for our words. Perhaps the best verse of Scripture to help
     us with this is:

     Psalm 19:15
                         "Let the words of my mouth
                           and the thought of my heart
                          find favor before you, O Lord,
                           my rock and my redeemer."

            Memorize this verse.... and make it your daily prayer.