Proverbs 11:9 – The Hypocrite with His Mouth Destroys His Neighbor
“With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors, but through knowledge the righteous escape.”
Proverbs 18:8 – The Words of a Gossip
“The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.”
Ephesians 4:29 – Let No Corrupting Talk Come Out of Your Mouth
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
Proverbs 16:28 – A Whisperer Separates Close Friends
“A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.”
Leviticus 19:16 – Do Not Go About as a Slanderer
“Do not go about spreading slander among your people. Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the LORD.”
Proverbs 20:19 – A Babbling Fool Will Come to Ruin
“A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.”
James 4:11 – Do Not Speak Evil Against One Another
“Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.”
Proverbs 26:20 – Without Wood, a Fire Goes Out
“Without wood, a fire goes out; without a gossip, a quarrel dies down.”
Proverbs 17:9 – Covering an Offense Promotes Love
“Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.”
Matthew 5:11 – Blessed are You When Others Revile You
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.”
Proverbs 26:22 – The Words of a Slanderer are Like Delicious morsels
“The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.”
Also Read: 40 Bible Verses About Giving Thanks for Friends
Matthew 15:11 – It is Not What Goes into the Mouth that Defiles a Person
“It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”
1 Timothy 5:13 – Idle Talk and Gossip
“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.”
Proverbs 11:13 – A Trustworthy Person Keeps a Secret
“A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.”
1 Peter 2:1 – Rid Yourselves of All Malice and Deceit
“Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.”
Proverbs 10:18 – Whoever Spreads Slander is a Fool
“Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool.”
Matthew 7:12 – The Golden Rule
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”
Titus 3:2 – Speak Evil of No One
“To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.”
Proverbs 25:23 – The North Wind Brings Rain, and a Backbiting Tongue an Angry Face
“The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.”
1 Peter 3:9 – Do Not Repay Evil with Evil
“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
Proverbs 10:19 – In the Multitude of Words, Sin is Not Lacking
“Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.”
Colossians 3:8 – Put Off All These
“But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.”
Proverbs 6:16-19 – Six Things That the Lord Hates
“There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.”
Titus 2:3 – Do Not Be Slanderers or Addicted to Much Wine
“Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.”
Proverbs 6:12-15 – The Wicked Man Describes and Sows Discord
“A troublemaker and a villain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth, who winks maliciously with his eye, signals with his feet and motions with his fingers, who plots evil with deceit in his heart— he always stirs up conflict. Therefore, disaster will overtake him in an instant; he will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.”
2 Timothy 3:3 – Slanderers, without Self-Control
“Without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good.”
Proverbs 16:27-28 – An Unprincipled Man Sows Discontent
“A scoundrel plots evil, and on their lips, it is like a scorching fire. A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.”
Leviticus 19:18 – Love Your Neighbor as Yourself
“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.”
Proverbs 11:13 – A Gossip Betrays a Confidence
“A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.”
Matthew 7:1-2 – Do Not Judge
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Proverbs 10:12 – Hatred Stirs Up Strife, But Love Covers All Sins
“Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.”
Psalm 34:13 – Keep Your Tongue from Evil
“Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.”
Proverbs 26:24-25 – A Hateful Man Masks His Intentions
“Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit. Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts.”
Psalm 101:5 – Whoever Slanders His Neighbor Will be Cut Off
“Whoever slanders their neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not tolerate.”
Proverbs 12:22 – Lying Lips are an Abomination to the Lord
“The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.”
Matthew 12:36 – Account for Every Idle Word
“But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.”
Proverbs 26:20 – Without Wood, a Fire Goes Out
“Without wood, a fire goes out; without gossip, a quarrel dies down.”
James 1:26 – If Anyone Thinks He is Religious and Does Not Bridle His Tongue
“If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.”
Proverbs 15:1 – A Soft Answer Turns Away Wrath
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
Romans 1:29-30 – Gossips and Slanderers
“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, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents.”
Proverbs 20:22 – Do Not Say, “I Will Repay Evil”
“Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you.”
James 3:10 – Blessings and Cursings Should Not Come Out of the Same Mouth
“Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.”
Proverbs 15:2 – The Tongue of the Wise Uses Knowledge Correctly
“The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.”
Leviticus 19:16 – Do Not Stand by While Your Neighbor Bleeds
“Do not spread slanderous gossip among your people. Do not stand idly by when your neighbor’s life is threatened. I am the LORD.”
Proverbs 11:12 – Whoever Belittles Another Lacks Sense
“Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.”
Matthew 18:15 – If Your Brother Sins Against You, Go and Tell Him His Fault
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.”
Proverbs 17:27-28 – The Intelligent Person Restrains His Words
“The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.”
James 4:11-12 – There is Only One Lawgiver and Judge
“Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?”
What Does the Bible Say About Talking Bad about Others?
The Bible offers us considerable wisdom about the power of words and the ethical responsibility we hold in our speech. When we speak ill of others, we not only harm their reputation but also damage our own spiritual integrity. Throughout both the Old and New Testaments, we find numerous admonitions warning against gossip, slander, and speaking negatively about others.
In Proverbs, we are reminded that our words hold significant power. Proverbs 18:21 tells us that “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” This scripture emphasizes that our speech can yield either good or harm. When we gossip or slander, we are choosing to use our words destructively rather than constructively.
Moreover, James 3:5-6 illuminates the far-reaching impact of our words. It compares the tongue to a small fire that can set an entire forest ablaze. Even though our words might seem insignificant at first, they can escalate and cause extensive harm. The tongue, James suggests, can be a “world of unrighteousness,” capable of corrupting our entire being and setting our lives on a course toward destruction.
Imagine the positive change we could bring about if we refrained from speaking ill of others. The apostle Paul encourages us to adopt an ethic of love and respect. In Ephesians 4:29, he advocates for speech that builds others up according to their needs, “so that it may benefit those who listen.” This instruction aligns our speech with the Christian value of love, focusing on the welfare of others rather than contributing to discord.
Our speech should also reflect the teachings of Jesus. In Matthew 12:36-37, Jesus alerts us that we will account for every careless word we speak. He underscores the profound truth that our words reveal the condition of our hearts and will influence our judgment.
The wisdom literature and the teachings of the apostles and Jesus collectively guide us toward a higher standard of communication, one that is free from malice, slander, and unnecessary criticism.
Let’s commit ourselves to use our words for good rather than harm, uplifting and encouraging each other in accordance with the values taught by Scripture. By doing so, we not only honor God but also foster healthier, more positive relationships within our communities.