35 Bible Verses about Gossip

Gossip might seem small, but it can cause deep hurt and division 🗣️💔. The Bible speaks clearly about the power of our words—how they can either build others up or tear them down 🪜💬. 

Whether it’s whispering behind someone’s back or spreading rumors, gossip pulls us away from the love, truth, and unity God calls us to live in ✝️🤝. These 35 Bible verses are powerful reminders to guard our tongues and choose words that bring life, not harm 🙏🕊️. 

God desires us to speak truth in love, protect one another, and walk with integrity 💖🛡️. Let these scriptures guide your heart and help you reflect Christ in every conversation you have 🗯️✨.

Bible Verses about Gossip 📖

Proverbs 11:13 🤐
“Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.”

This verse contrasts gossip with trustworthiness. Revealing secrets harms communities, while discretion builds trust and protects relationships.

Proverbs 16:28 💔
“A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.”

Gossip has devastating consequences – it can destroy even the closest friendships and sow discord wherever it spreads.

Proverbs 20:19 ⚠️
“A gossip betrays confidence, so avoid anyone who talks too much.”

This practical advice warns us to be careful about trusting habitual gossips, as they cannot keep confidences.

Proverbs 26:20 🔥
“Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.”

Just as fire needs fuel to burn, conflicts need gossip to survive. Remove gossip, and peace can flourish.

Proverbs 26:22 🍯
“The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.”

Gossip is seductive like tasty food, but it carries harmful consequences for both speaker and listener.

Psalm 34:13 🚫
“Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.”

A direct command to control our speech and speak truthfully, avoiding malicious talk.

Proverbs 18:8 🗡️
“The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.”

Gossip wounds deeply like internal injuries – the damage may be invisible but is profoundly felt.

Leviticus 19:16 ⚖️
“You shall not go about as a slanderer among your people, and you are not to act against the life of your neighbor; I am the Lord.”

This Mosaic Law directly forbids slander, linking it to harming one’s neighbor and emphasizing divine authority.

2 Corinthians 12:20 😟
“For I fear that perhaps when I come, I may find you not as I wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.”

Paul groups gossip with other destructive behaviors that harm Christian community unity.

1 Timothy 5:13 😴
“And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.”

Idleness often leads to gossip. Staying purposefully engaged helps prevent harmful talk.

Proverbs 10:18 🤡
“Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool.”

Those who engage in slander are called fools, showing both lack of wisdom and moral failing.

James 4:11 ❌
“Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law.”

Speaking ill of fellow believers undermines the law of love that should govern Christian community.

Exodus 23:1 ⚖️
“Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.”

This command emphasizes truthfulness and warns against false reports that cause injustice.

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.”

Our speech should uplift and build others up rather than tear them down.

Titus 3:2 🕊️
“To speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.”

Paul advocates for peaceful, gentle, humble communication that respects all people.

1 Peter 2:1 🧹
“So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.”

Peter calls believers to shed all negative behaviors, including slander, for spiritual growth.

Proverbs 21:23 🛡️
“Whosoever keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.”

Controlling our speech protects us from many problems and safeguards our well-being.

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.”

King David expresses zero tolerance for slander and pride in leadership and society.

Proverbs 25:23 🌨️
“The north wind brings forth rain and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.”

Just as certain winds bring rain, gossiping tongues inevitably bring anger and conflict.

Romans 1:29-30 📜
“They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers…”

Paul lists gossip among grave sins in describing a degenerate society.

2 Timothy 3:3 ⏰
“Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good.”

False accusations are highlighted among the negative traits of the last days.

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.”

True devotion requires speech control – without it, religious claims are meaningless.

Proverbs 17:4 👂
“A wicked doer gives heed to false lips; a liar listens eagerly to a spiteful tongue.”

Wickedness attracts falsehood – our character determines what words we entertain.

Proverbs 10:19 🤐
“When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.”

The more we talk, the more likely we are to sin. Restraint prevents many pitfalls.

3 John 1:10 📨
“So when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome other believers.”

John addresses someone spreading false information, emphasizing the importance of unity and truth.

Matthew 12:36 ⚖️
“But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.”

Every word matters – we’ll be held accountable for our speech.

Proverbs 15:1 💬
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

Gentle words bring peace, while harsh words create conflict and division.

Colossians 4:6 🧂
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

Our speech should be gracious and wise, bringing flavor and preservation like salt.

Proverbs 12:18 ⚔️
“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”

Words can wound like weapons or heal like medicine – wisdom determines the difference.

Matthew 15:11 💭
“What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”

Our words reveal our heart condition more than what we consume physically.

Proverbs 29:20 🏃‍♂️
“Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them.”

Speaking without thinking is worse than being a fool – patience in speech shows wisdom.

1 Corinthians 13:6 ❤️
“Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.”

True love doesn’t find pleasure in others’ failures but celebrates truth and goodness.

Proverbs 27:5 💡
“Better is open rebuke than hidden love.”

Honest, direct communication is better than gossip disguised as concern.

Ecclesiastes 10:20 🐦
“Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird in the sky may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say.”

Even private negative words have a way of becoming public – discretion is always wise.

Romans 14:13 🚧
“Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.”

Instead of judging and gossiping, we should focus on helping others succeed spiritually.

What Does the Old Testament Say About Gossip? 📚

The Old Testament consistently condemns gossip and slander as destructive behaviors. Proverbs 11:13 contrasts revealing secrets with being trustworthy, emphasizing discretion and integrity. The book of Proverbs frequently uses vivid metaphors – comparing gossip to fire fuel (26:20), wounds (18:8), and seductive morsels (26:22). 🔥

Leviticus 19:16 directly commands against slander, while Psalms speak of God’s intolerance for those who secretly slander others. The wisdom literature consistently portrays gossip as foolish behavior that destroys relationships and communities. 🏛️

What Does the New Testament Say About Gossip? ✝️

The New Testament reinforces Old Testament teachings while adding new dimensions. Paul frequently warns against harmful speech in his letters, emphasizing that words should build up rather than tear down (Ephesians 4:29). He groups gossip with other serious sins in Romans 1:29-30. 📝

James provides particularly strong warnings, declaring that uncontrolled speech makes religious claims worthless (1:26). The apostles consistently call for speech that reflects spiritual maturity and love for others. Jesus himself taught accountability for every word spoken (Matthew 12:36). 🙏

Closing Thoughts about Gossip Bible Verses 💭

In our digital age where information spreads instantly, these biblical teachings are more relevant than ever. Social media, group chats, and instant communication make gossip more tempting and destructive than before. 📱

The scriptures call us to higher standards – using our words to heal rather than harm, unite rather than divide. Whether online or offline, we can choose to speak life, truth, and encouragement instead of spreading harmful information about others. 🌟

Final Thoughts 

Biblical wisdom about gossip remains timeless and practical. These verses challenge us to examine our speech patterns and choose words that reflect God’s love and truth. By avoiding gossip and speaking constructively, we contribute to healthier relationships and communities. 💝

Remember: our words have power to build kingdoms or destroy them. Choose wisely, speak kindly, and let your conversation be a blessing to all who hear. 🏰

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I resist gossiping in daily life? 

Pause before speaking and ask: “Is it true, kind, and necessary?” Pray for strength and focus on positive conversations.

What if I’ve already gossiped about someone? 

Repent to God, seek forgiveness from those you’ve harmed, and commit to changing your behavior going forward.

What’s the difference between gossip and sharing concerns? 

Sharing seeks solutions and help without malice; gossip spreads information to harm someone’s reputation.

How should I respond when I’m the target of gossip? 

Focus on forgiveness, maintain your integrity, and trust God with your reputation rather than retaliating.

How did Jesus handle gossip and slander? 

Jesus responded with truth and patience, staying focused on His mission despite false accusations from religious leaders.

What role does forgiveness play in healing from gossip? 

Forgiveness frees both parties from bitterness and opens the door for restoration and healing relationships.