Gossip is a destructive force that can harm relationships and sow discord within communities. The Bible provides profound wisdom on the topic, emphasizing the need for respectful communication and integrity in our words. Throughout scripture, various passages highlight the dangers of gossip and the importance of speaking truthfully and kindly.
In exploring these Bible verses about gossip, you’ll uncover guidance on how to avoid the pitfalls of spreading rumors, engaging in slander, or participating in idle chatter.
As you reflect on these teachings, you may find inspiration for fostering healthier conversations and relationships grounded in love and respect.
Bible Verses About Gossip
Proverbs 11:13 – Understanding the Nature of Gossip
“A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.” – Proverbs 11:13
More Related Verses:
“The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.” – Proverbs 18:8
“He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy conceals a matter.” – Proverbs 11:13 (NASB)
“For a perverse person is an abomination to the Lord, but He is intimate with the upright.” – Proverbs 3:32
Also read: 31 Bible Verses About Letting Go (with Related Verses)
James 1:26 – Biblical Definitions of Gossip
“If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.” – James 1:26
More Related Verses:
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs.” – Ephesians 4:29
“Keeping your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.” – Psalm 34:13
“You shall not go about as a gossip among your people.” – Leviticus 19:16
Proverbs 20:19 – Consequences of Gossip as Seen in Proverbs
“A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.” – Proverbs 20:19
More Related Verses:
“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.” – Proverbs 6:16-17
“The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool.” – Proverbs 10:18
“Whoever spreads slander is a fool.” – Proverbs 10:18 (NIV)
Matthew 12:36 – Gossip in the New Testament
“But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.” – Matthew 12:36
More Related Verses:
“Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law.” – James 4:11
“Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or judges them speaks against the law and judges it.” – James 4:11 (NIV)
“For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” – Luke 6:45
Proverbs 18:21 – The Role of Words: Power of the Tongue
“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” – Proverbs 18:21
More Related Verses:
“Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.” – Psalm 141:3
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” – Proverbs 18:21 (ESV)
“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” – Colossians 4:6
Proverbs 6:16-19 – Gossip and Its Relation to Sin
“There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood.” – Proverbs 6:16-19
More Related Verses:
“The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.” – Proverbs 12:22
“The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.” – Proverbs 17:27
“But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine.” – Titus 2:1
Romans 1:29 – Warning Against Gossip in Paul’s Letters
“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.” – Romans 1:29
More Related Verses:
“But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.” – Titus 3:9
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.” – Ephesians 4:31
“For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” – Galatians 6:8
Proverbs 17:9 – Gossip in the Context of Community
“Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.” – Proverbs 17:9
More Related Verses:
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11
“A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends.” – Proverbs 16:28
“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” – Proverbs 27:17
Proverbs 22:1 – Gossip Among Friends: A Cautionary Tale
“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.” – Proverbs 22:1
More Related Verses:
“Much like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.” – Proverbs 11:22
“Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered.” – Proverbs 22:24
“Let your yes be yes, and your no be no.” – Matthew 5:37
Proverbs 13:20 – Gossip’s Impact on Relationships
“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” – Proverbs 13:20
More Related Verses:
“The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray.” – Proverbs 12:26
“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’” – 1 Corinthians 15:33
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” – Proverbs 17:17
Matthew 18:15 – Church Discipline Regarding Gossip
“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you.” – Matthew 18:15
More Related Verses:
“If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:14
“You shall not spread a false report.” – Exodus 23:1
“Those who conceal their sins do not prosper, but those who confess and renounce them find mercy.” – Proverbs 28:13
Ephesians 4:29 – Gossip versus Godly Speech
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs.” – Ephesians 4:29
More Related Verses:
“But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.” – Ephesians 4:15
“For we all stumble in many ways, and if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man.” – James 3:2
“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt.” – Colossians 4:6
1 John 1:9 – Seeking Forgiveness for Gossip
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9
More Related Verses:
“You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” – Matthew 7:5
“Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” – James 5:16
“For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” – Hebrews 8:12
Proverbs 4:23 – The Heart Behind Gossip
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” – Proverbs 4:23
More Related Verses:
“The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.” – Matthew 12:35
“A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” – Proverbs 14:30
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” – Psalm 51:10
Philippians 4:8 – Gossiping in the Digital Age
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” – Philippians 4:8
More Related Verses:
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” – Romans 12:2
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” – Colossians 3:2
“But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.” – Colossians 3:8
1 Peter 2:1 – Overcoming the Temptation to Gossip
“Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.” – 1 Peter 2:1
More Related Verses:
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” – Proverbs 27:17
“But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment.” – Matthew 5:22
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.” – Colossians 3:13
Proverbs 15:4 – Encouragement to Speak Life Instead of Gossip
“The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.” – Proverbs 15:4
More Related Verses:
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” – Proverbs 15:1
“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” – Proverbs 12:25
“Let all that you do be done in love.” – 1 Corinthians 16:14
Luke 6:31 – Gossip in the Life of Jesus
“And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.” – Luke 6:31
More Related Verses:
“The greatest among you shall be your servant.” – Matthew 23:11
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” – Matthew 25:35
“As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” – John 13:34
Isaiah 54:17 – Righteousness versus Gossip
“No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment, you shall condemn.” – Isaiah 54:17
More Related Verses:
“The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree; he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.” – Psalm 92:12
“For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.” – Psalm 91:3
“The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” – Exodus 14:14
Proverbs 12:26 – Gossip’s Effect on Mental Health
“The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.” – Proverbs 12:26
More Related Verses:
“Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” – Proverbs 12:25
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” – Proverbs 17:22
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” – Proverbs 27:17
2 Timothy 2:16 – Biblical Examples of Gossip
“But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness.” – 2 Timothy 2:16
More Related Verses:
“A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.” – Proverbs 11:13
“For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it.” – James 2:10
“They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and maliciousness.” – Romans 1:29
Ephesians 5:4 – Speaking the Truth in Love
“Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.” – Ephesians 5:4
More Related Verses:
“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification.” – Ephesians 4:29
“But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.” – Ephesians 4:15
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths.” – Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
Galatians 6:1 – Accountability in Combating Gossip
“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.” – Galatians 6:1
More Related Verses:
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” – Proverbs 27:17
“But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.” – Galatians 5:15
Proverbs 26:20 – Gossip and the Spread of Falsehoods
“Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.” – Proverbs 26:20
More Related Verses:
“A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.” – Proverbs 11:13
“If you would be a leader, then learn to be a servant.” – Matthew 20:26
“He’s an expert in cutting off friends!” – Proverbs 18:24 (NIV)
1 Thessalonians 5:11 – Building Others Up Instead of Gossiping
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11
More Related Verses:
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” – Hebrews 10:24
“Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.” – Ephesians 2:10
Final Thoughts
The topic of gossip is profoundly addressed throughout Scripture, highlighting both its destructive nature and the significance of our words. The verses explored emphasize that gossip is not only a sin but can also sever relationships and create division in communities.
By embracing accountability and choosing to share uplifting thoughts, we can foster a culture of respect and love within our communities. As we reflect on these biblical teachings, let us also commit to guarding our hearts and tongues, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our communication. In doing so, we partake in God’s mandate to create harmony and understanding amongst each other, thereby reflecting the love of Christ in our lives.