Gossip, the spread of rumors and harmful talk about others, damages relationships and undermines trust within communities. Let’s guard against gossip as we explore the verses that condemn slander, urge discretion, and call us to speak words of truth, kindness, and edification that build up rather than tear down others.
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Bible Verses About Gossip
Proverbs 11:13
A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.
This verse cautions against the harmful effects of gossip. Gossiping involves betraying someone’s trust by sharing private information without their consent. It emphasizes the importance of being trustworthy and keeping secrets.
Proverbs 16:28
A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.
Gossip has the power to create conflict and division among friends. This verse warns against the destructive nature of gossip and its ability to separate close relationships.
Proverbs 20:19
A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.
Being around someone who frequently engages in gossip can be detrimental. This verse advises us to avoid those who talk excessively and spread rumors, emphasizing the importance of distancing ourselves from such behavior.
Proverbs 26:20
Without wood, a fire goes out; without a gossip, a quarrel dies down.
Gossip has the potential to fuel conflicts and quarrels. This verse illustrates the importance of withholding gossip, as without it, disputes can be resolved and tensions can diminish.
Proverbs 17:9
Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
This verse highlights the value of forgiveness and discretion. Rather than spreading gossip, it encourages us to cover up offenses and seek to restore relationships, as repeating the matter will only create division.
1 Timothy 5:13
Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also busybodies who talk nonsense, saying things they ought not to.
This verse addresses the danger of idleness and its connection to gossip. It warns against becoming a busybody, someone who is idle and finds entertainment in sharing meaningless and inappropriate information.
James 1:26
Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.
This verse admonishes those who claim to be religious but cannot control their speech. It highlights the importance of watching our words and demonstrates that a lack of self-control in what we say renders our faith meaningless.
Proverbs 10:18
The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.
Gossip often involves spreading slander and lies. This verse exposes the foolishness of engaging in such behavior and the consequences of concealing hatred behind deceitful speech.
Proverbs 26:22
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.
Gossip can be enticing, as it appeals to the curiosity of others. This verse illustrates the captivating nature of gossip and the tendency for others to internalize and be affected by it.
Proverbs 20:3
It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.
This verse promotes peaceful relationships and advises against engaging in strife and quarrels. It highlights the foolishness of those who eagerly participate in gossip that fuels conflict.
Proverbs 18:8
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.
This verse reiterates the appealing nature of gossip, likening it to delicious food that can easily slip into our hearts and minds. It emphasizes the need to guard ourselves against the influence of gossip and its potential impact.
Psalm 101:5
Whoever slanders their neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not tolerate.
This verse speaks to God’s resolve against slander and gossip. It reflects God’s character of justice, as He promises to silence those who engage in secret slandering and punish those with proud and arrogant hearts.
Leviticus 19:16
Do not go about spreading slander among your people. Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the LORD.
In this command from the Lord, we are instructed not to spread slander or engage in behavior that endangers the life or well-being of others. It highlights the importance of promoting peace and protecting the reputation of our neighbors.
2 Corinthians 12:20
For I am afraid that when I come, I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.
This verse warns against the presence of discord, jealousy, rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder within the church. It emphasizes the negative impact of gossip on the unity and well-being of the community of believers.
Romans 1:29
They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips.
This verse describes individuals who have turned away from God and become consumed by wickedness and evil. It includes gossip as one of their sinful behaviors and characterizes it as a manifestation of their depravity.
1 Peter 4:15
If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.
Meddling refers to interfering in the affairs of others unnecessarily. This verse places meddling, which can include gossip, in the same category as criminal behavior. It cautions against engaging in such activities, especially in the context of suffering.
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.
This verse encourages believers to guard their speech, ensuring that our words are beneficial and edifying to others. It calls us to avoid unwholesome talk such as gossip and instead focus on uplifting and encouraging one another.
Colossians 3:8
But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
As followers of Christ, we are called to rid ourselves of negative and harmful speech. This verse lists slander among the things that we should actively remove from our lives, highlighting its destructive nature.
1 Timothy 3:11
In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.
This verse specifically addresses women in the church, advising them to refrain from engaging in malicious talk. It emphasizes the importance of being trustworthy and exercising self-control in what is spoken.
Romans 16:17-18
I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery, they deceive the minds of naive people.
This passage warns against individuals who cause divisions and hinder the progress of the church. It encourages believers to distance themselves from those who engage in deceptive speech and flattery, which can include gossip as a means of manipulating others.
Proverbs 12:17
“An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies.”
This verse reminds us of the importance of honesty in our words and actions. It contrasts an honest witness, who speaks truthfully, to a false witness, who spreads lies. It encourages us to be truthful and avoid participating in gossip.
Proverbs 15:4
“The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.”
This verse illustrates the power of our words, highlighting their ability to either build others up or tear them down. It emphasizes the positive impact of kind and gentle speech, while discouraging the use of gossip or a perverse tongue that brings harm and discouragement.
Proverbs 20:19
“A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.”
Gossip often involves betraying someone’s trust by revealing confidential information. This verse advises us to be wary of those who talk excessively, recognizing the potential harm that can come from engaging in conversations with habitual gossips.
Proverbs 18:7
“The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives.”
This verse exposes the consequences of foolish and reckless speech. It warns that the words of fools can lead to their downfall and bring harm upon themselves. Gossip is one of the pitfalls that can entangle individuals and lead to their ruin.
Titus 3:2
“to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.”
This verse encourages believers to speak well of others and avoid slander. Instead, we are called to pursue peace, treat others with consideration, and demonstrate gentleness in our interactions. It promotes a mindset of love and respect, cultivating unity rather than fostering division through gossip.