50 Bible Verses About Gossip

Dariel Campbell

Gossip is one of the most pervasive and damaging behaviors that can infiltrate our lives, communities, and relationships. The Bible speaks extensively about the power of words and the dangers of gossip, emphasizing the importance of using our speech to uplift rather than tear down.

Understanding what Scripture says about gossip can guide us in fostering healthier communication and relationships rooted in love and truth. In this blog post, we’ll explore 50 Bible verses about gossip, categorized into five key themes. Each verse is accompanied by a brief description, interpretation, and insight into its relevance today.

The Dangers of Gossip

1. Proverbs 11:13

Verse: “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.” Description: This verse highlights the destructive nature of gossip, particularly in how it can break trust. Interpretation: Trust is a foundational element in any relationship, and gossip erodes that trust. This proverb encourages us to be trustworthy and to guard the confidences of others.

2. Proverbs 16:28

Verse: “A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.” Description: Gossip is depicted as a divisive force that can destroy even the closest of friendships. Interpretation: This verse warns us of the relational damage that gossip can cause, urging us to avoid it to maintain harmony and unity among friends.

3. Proverbs 18:8

Verse: “The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.” Description: Gossip is likened to delicious food that is eagerly consumed, yet it has a deep, harmful impact. Interpretation: This metaphor illustrates how gossip can be tempting but ultimately harmful. It penetrates deep into our hearts and minds, causing lasting damage.

4. Proverbs 20:19

Verse: “A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.” Description: This verse advises us to steer clear of those who habitually gossip, as they are likely to betray trust. Interpretation: Associating with gossips can lead to our own downfall. This verse encourages us to choose our companions wisely and avoid engaging in harmful speech.

5. Proverbs 26:20

Verse: “Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.” Description: Gossip is compared to fuel that keeps a fire burning, suggesting that it perpetuates conflict. Interpretation: By refraining from gossip, we can prevent or resolve conflicts. This verse underscores the power of silence and discretion in maintaining peace.

6. James 3:6

Verse: “The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” Description: This verse uses the metaphor of fire to describe the destructive potential of our words, particularly gossip. Interpretation: James emphasizes the power of the tongue to cause great harm. Gossip, as a form of harmful speech, can lead to widespread damage in our lives and the lives of others.

7. Romans 1:29

Verse: “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…” Description: Paul includes gossip among a list of sinful behaviors that characterize a life turned away from God. Interpretation: Gossip is not a trivial matter; it is grouped with severe sins, highlighting its seriousness in the eyes of God.

8. 2 Corinthians 12:20

Verse: “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.” Description: Paul expresses concern that gossip, among other sins, may be present in the church, leading to division and discord. Interpretation: Gossip is a threat to the unity and harmony of the church. Paul’s concern serves as a warning to us to root out gossip from our communities.

9. Leviticus 19:16

Verse: “Do not go about spreading slander among your people. Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the Lord.” Description: This commandment from Leviticus forbids slander and gossip, emphasizing the protection of others’ reputations. Interpretation: God’s law calls us to protect and honor others, which includes refraining from gossip that could harm them.

10. Psalm 34:13

Verse: “Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.” Description: The psalmist advises us to guard our speech, avoiding gossip and deceit. Interpretation: This verse highlights the importance of self-control in our speech. By keeping our tongues from evil, we can live in righteousness and peace.

Guarding Your Speech

11. Proverbs 21:23

Verse: “Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.” Description: This verse underscores the importance of controlling our speech to avoid trouble. Interpretation: Careful speech protects us from the consequences of gossip. It encourages mindfulness in our words to maintain peace and integrity.

12. Ephesians 4:29

Verse: “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.” Description: Paul exhorts believers to use their words to edify others rather than engage in gossip. Interpretation: This verse encourages positive speech that builds others up, contrasting with the destructive nature of gossip. It calls us to be intentional with our words.

13. Colossians 3:8

Verse: “But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.” Description: Paul urges the Colossians to eliminate harmful speech, including gossip and slander, from their lives. Interpretation: This verse emphasizes the transformation that should occur in a believer’s life, where harmful speech is replaced with wholesome, godly communication.

14. Matthew 12:36

Verse: “But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.” Description: Jesus warns that we will be held accountable for our words, including gossip. Interpretation: This verse serves as a sobering reminder that our words matter and that we should be careful to speak in ways that honor God and others.

15. Proverbs 13:3

Verse: “Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.” Description: This proverb highlights the importance of careful speech in preserving one’s life and reputation. Interpretation: The wisdom in this verse is clear: guarding our speech, especially from gossip, leads to a life of integrity and peace.

16. Proverbs 15:4

Verse: “The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.” Description: This verse contrasts the positive impact of kind speech with the damaging effects of harmful words. Interpretation: Our words have the power to heal or harm. This verse encourages us to use our speech to bring life and encouragement, avoiding the destructive nature of gossip.

17. Psalm 141:3

Verse: “Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” Description: The psalmist prays for God’s help in controlling his speech. Interpretation: Recognizing our own weaknesses, this verse encourages us to seek God’s guidance in guarding our words and avoiding gossip.

18. James 1:26

Verse: “Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.” Description: James warns that uncontrolled speech, including gossip, undermines the authenticity of one’s faith. Interpretation: This verse challenges us to align our speech with our faith, showing that true religion is reflected in how we speak about others.

19. Proverbs 10:19

Verse: “Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.” Description: This proverb advises restraint in speech, noting that excessive talk often leads to sin, including gossip. Interpretation: Wisdom lies in knowing when to speak and when to remain silent. This verse encourages us to practice discretion in our speech to avoid the pitfalls of gossip.

20. Titus 3:2

Verse: “To slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.” Description: Paul instructs believers to avoid slander and be kind and gentle in their interactions. Interpretation: This verse advocates for a lifestyle marked by peace and gentleness, where gossip and slander have no place.

Consequences of Gossip

21. Proverbs 17:9

Verse: “Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.” Description: Gossip is shown to be a relationship destroyer, while love seeks to protect and forgive. Interpretation: This verse contrasts the destructive nature of gossip with the healing power of love, encouraging us to choose love and forgiveness over spreading harmful words.

22. Psalm 101:5

Verse: “Whoever slanders their neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not tolerate.” Description: God declares His opposition to slander and gossip, promising judgment on those who engage in it. Interpretation: This verse underscores the seriousness with which God views gossip, showing that it is not only harmful to others but also offensive to God.

23. Proverbs 6:16-19

Verse: “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.” Description: Gossip is included in a list of behaviors that God detests, particularly for its ability to stir up conflict. Interpretation: This passage shows that gossip is not a minor issue; it is deeply offensive to God and causes significant harm in communities.

24. Proverbs 19:5

Verse: “A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will not go free.” Description: This proverb warns of the consequences of lying and gossiping, stating that punishment is inevitable. Interpretation: The verse serves as a reminder that our actions, including our words, have consequences. Gossip may bring temporary satisfaction, but it ultimately leads to judgment.

25. Jeremiah 9:4

Verse: “Beware of your friends; do not trust anyone in your clan. For every one of them is a deceiver, and every friend a slanderer.” Description: Jeremiah laments the pervasive dishonesty and gossip among the people, leading to broken trust. Interpretation: Gossip creates an environment of distrust and deception. This verse challenges us to cultivate honesty and integrity in our relationships.

26. Micah 7:5

Verse: “Do not trust a neighbor; put no confidence in a friend. Even with the woman who lies in your embrace guard the words of your lips.” Description: Micah highlights the pervasive nature of gossip and slander, warning of the need to guard one’s speech. Interpretation: The verse reflects the corrosive impact of gossip on trust, urging caution and discernment in what we say and to whom we say it.

27. Proverbs 10:18

Verse: “Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool.” Description: This verse equates gossip with foolishness, particularly when it is used to conceal deeper malice. Interpretation: Gossip often masks deeper issues like hatred or jealousy. This verse calls us to confront and resolve these issues rather than spread harm through our words.

28. Proverbs 12:13

Verse: “Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk, and so the innocent escape trouble.” Description: Gossip is portrayed as a trap for those who engage in it, leading to their own downfall. Interpretation: The verse warns that gossip ultimately backfires on those who engage in it, while those who avoid it escape its snares.

29. Matthew 15:11

Verse: “What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.” Description: Jesus teaches that it is not what we consume but what we speak that defiles us. Interpretation: Gossip, as a form of harmful speech, defiles our hearts and minds. This verse emphasizes the need to guard our words and ensure they reflect a pure heart.

30. Proverbs 25:23

Verse: “Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain is a sly tongue—which provokes a horrified look.” Description: This verse compares gossip to a sudden storm, unexpected and unsettling. Interpretation: Gossip disrupts and disturbs relationships, much like an unexpected storm. The verse calls us to be mindful of the impact our words can have on others.

How to Overcome Gossip

31. Proverbs 26:22

Verse: “The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.” Description: This verse reminds us of the allure of gossip, yet also its deep, negative impact. Interpretation: Recognizing the temptation of gossip is the first step in overcoming it. This verse encourages us to be vigilant in rejecting gossip’s lure.

32. James 3:9-10

Verse: “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.” Description: James points out the contradiction of using our speech for both worship and gossip. Interpretation: This verse calls us to consistency in our speech, urging us to use our words for good rather than harm.

33. Colossians 4:6

Verse: “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Description: Paul advises that our speech should be gracious and thoughtful, avoiding gossip. Interpretation: This verse encourages us to be intentional and gracious in our conversations, steering clear of gossip and harmful talk.

34. 1 Peter 3:10

Verse: “For, ‘Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.'” Description: Peter quotes the Old Testament, emphasizing the importance of righteous speech for a good life. Interpretation: This verse links the quality of our life to the quality of our speech, encouraging us to avoid gossip and deceit.

35. Ephesians 4:31

Verse: “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.” Description: Paul urges believers to rid themselves of harmful emotions and behaviors, including gossip. Interpretation: Overcoming gossip requires a transformation of the heart, where we let go of negative emotions that fuel harmful speech.

36. Proverbs 17:27

Verse: “The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.” Description: Wisdom and understanding are linked to restraint in speech, contrasting with the rashness of gossip. Interpretation: This verse encourages us to practice restraint and wisdom in our speech, recognizing that true knowledge leads to careful, thoughtful communication.

37. Psalm 19:14

Verse: “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Description: The psalmist prays that his words and thoughts would be pleasing to God, free from gossip. Interpretation: This verse serves as a prayer for purity in speech and thought, aligning our communication with God’s will.

38. Titus 2:8

Verse: “And soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.” Description: Paul encourages sound speech that is above reproach, leaving no room for gossip. Interpretation: This verse calls us to maintain integrity in our speech, ensuring that it reflects the character of Christ and leaves no room for gossip.

39. Proverbs 15:28

Verse: “The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.” Description: This verse contrasts the thoughtful speech of the righteous with the reckless words of the wicked. Interpretation: Righteousness is reflected in careful, deliberate speech. This verse encourages us to think before we speak, avoiding the quick spread of gossip.

40. Philippians 4:8

Verse: “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.” Description: Paul advises believers to focus on what is good and pure, indirectly discouraging gossip. Interpretation: By focusing our minds on positive, godly things, we can overcome the temptation to engage in gossip, fostering speech that reflects these virtues.

Encouraging Godly Speech

41. Proverbs 12:18

Verse: “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Description: This verse highlights the contrast between harmful and healing speech, encouraging wisdom in our words. Interpretation: The verse calls us to use our speech for healing and encouragement, avoiding the reckless harm of gossip.

42. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Verse: “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” Description: Paul exhorts the Thessalonians to focus on encouragement rather than gossip. Interpretation: This verse challenges us to replace gossip with words of encouragement, building up others instead of tearing them down.

43. Proverbs 15:1

Verse: “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Description: This proverb contrasts gentle, peaceful speech with the anger that harsh words, including gossip, can provoke. Interpretation: The verse encourages us to use gentle, calming speech to diffuse tension and avoid the escalation that gossip can cause.

44. Hebrews 10:24

Verse: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” Description: The author of Hebrews encourages believers to motivate each other toward love and good works, steering clear of harmful speech like gossip. Interpretation: This verse redirects our focus from gossip to positive, loving actions that build up the community.

45. Proverbs 18:21

Verse: “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Description: This verse highlights the immense power of words to either give life or bring death, urging careful speech. Interpretation: Recognizing the power of our words should lead us to choose life-giving speech over gossip, understanding the far-reaching consequences of what we say.

46. Isaiah 50:4

Verse: “The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.” Description: Isaiah speaks of the Lord giving him wisdom in speech, using his words to sustain and encourage. Interpretation: This verse encourages us to seek God’s wisdom in our speech, using our words to uplift rather than harm, and to be attentive to His instruction.

47. 1 Peter 4:8

Verse: “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” Description: Peter emphasizes the power of love to overcome sin, including the sin of gossip. Interpretation: Love should guide our speech, leading us to cover over offenses rather than spread them through gossip.

48. Proverbs 27:17

Verse: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Description: This verse highlights the positive impact of godly relationships, where friends help each other grow, rather than gossiping. Interpretation: Encouraging and challenging each other to grow in faith is the opposite of gossip. This verse calls us to foster relationships that build up rather than tear down.

49. Matthew 5:9

Verse: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Description: Jesus blesses those who work for peace, which includes avoiding gossip and fostering harmony. Interpretation: This verse calls us to be peacemakers in our speech, choosing words that heal and unite rather than gossip that divides.

50. Psalm 141:3

Verse: “Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” Description: The psalmist prays for divine help in controlling his speech, avoiding gossip and harmful words. Interpretation: This verse reminds us of the importance of seeking God’s help in guarding our speech, recognizing that we cannot overcome the temptation to gossip on our own.

Conclusion

Gossip is a powerful and destructive force, but the Bible provides us with ample guidance on how to avoid it and pursue godly speech instead. By meditating on these verses and applying their wisdom, we can cultivate a life that honors God with our words, building up others rather than tearing them down. Let these Scriptures inspire us to be mindful of our speech, choosing words that reflect love, grace, and truth.

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