Bible Verses about Gossip

In a world increasingly defined by social media and 24/7 news cycles, the rapid spread of information—and misinformation—has never been more prevalent. Gossip, rumors, and slander seep into our lives, often causing irreparable damage to reputations and relationships. While this may seem like a modern dilemma, it is a timeless issue that the Bible addresses with great seriousness. Indeed, the Biblical warning against gossip and slander is not just a casual piece of advice; it is deeply rooted in the commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves and bear truthful witness.

Picture the close-knit communities of ancient Israel, where news could travel fast through the grapevine. It's easy to see how a single false report could shatter a reputation, divide a family, or even lead to the stoning of an innocent person. In the book of Exodus, the issue is so important that it's included in the Mosaic Law: "You shall not spread a false report" (Exodus 23:1). Even King David, a man after God's own heart, speaks gravely about the destructive power of slander, expressing zero tolerance for it in his kingdom (Psalm 101:5).

The New Testament continues this focus on speaking truthfully and avoiding malicious talk. The Apostle Paul warns the early Christian communities against unrighteous behavior, including gossip and slander, and calls on them to put away such things (Ephesians 4:31, Colossians 3:8). The message is clear: gossip is not a harmless pastime; it's a corrosive force that tarnishes our integrity and distances us from God's desire for our lives. As we navigate a world saturated with information, the Biblical wisdom against gossip and false speech serves as a timeless moral compass, guiding us toward truthfulness, kindness, and love.

Gossip as Slander or False Speech

Exodus 23:1

"You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness."

Leviticus 19:16

"You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord."

Psalm 50:19-20

"You give your mouth free rein for evil, and your tongue frames deceit. You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother's son."

Proverbs 6:16-19

"There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers."

Proverbs 10:18

"The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool."

Proverbs 11:13

"Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered."

Ephesians 4:31

"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice."

Colossians 3:8

"But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth."

Gossip Causes Strife

Proverbs 16:28

"A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends."

Proverbs 26:20

"For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases."

Guarding One’s Mouth

Psalm 34:13

"Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit."

Proverbs 21:23

"Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble."

Gossip as Unrighteous Behavior

Romans 1:29

"They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips,"

2 Corinthians 12:20

"For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder."

Ephesians 4:29

"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."

1 Timothy 5:13

"Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not."

Consequences of Gossip

Psalm 101:5

“Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly I will destroy. Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure.”

Proverbs 18:8

"The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body."

Proverbs 20:19

"Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler."

Matthew 12:36-37

"I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

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."

A Prayer of Repentance from Gossip

Heavenly Father,

In a world where words flow so freely, where gossip and false reports can spread like wildfire, we come before You to ask for the wisdom and strength to use our tongues wisely. Lord, help us to remember that each word we utter has the power to either build up or break down, to either glorify Your name or tarnish it.

Forgive us, Father, for the times we've fallen into the trap of gossip, for spreading rumors, or for standing silently by while others do so. We recognize the gravity of this sin, not just as an offense to our neighbors but also as a grievous act that distances us from Your will. Help us, Lord, to embody the teachings of Your Word, to put away slander, malice, and deceit from our lips. May our mouths become instruments of Your peace, truth, and love.

Lord, give us discernment in our conversations, that we might speak words of life and truth. Instill in us a spirit of courage and conviction to stand against gossip when we encounter it, and to be purveyors of truth and kindness in our own interactions. Let the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer.

In Jesus' Name, we pray, Amen.