„Lasset kein faul Geschwätz aus eurem Munde gehen, sondern was nützlich zur Besserung ist, wo es not tut, dass es holdselig sei zu hören.“
Epheser 4,29

Bible verses about gossip and idle talk

A rumor is quickly told – and hard to catch again. The Bible speaks surprisingly often about gossip, slander, and the power of the tongue. Here you will find 20 Bible verses about gossip and rumors, and about how words build up instead of hurting.

What gossip does

The Bible warns strongly against evil speech.

  1. A perverse man sows discord, and a slanderer separates friends.

    Proverbs 16:28Friendship

  2. The words of a slanderer are like blows and pierce the heart.

    Proverbs 18:8

  3. When there is no wood, the fire goes out; and when the slanderer is gone, discord ceases.

    Proverbs 26:20Conflict

  4. A slanderer reveals what he knows in secret; but he who is of a faithful heart conceals it.

    Proverbs 11:13Reliability

  5. Be without guile with him who reveals secrets, and with the slanderer and with the double-tongued.

    Proverbs 20:19

  6. You shall not be a slanderer among your people. You shall not stand against the blood of your neighbor; for I am the LORD.

    Exodus 19:16

  7. I will destroy him who slanders his neighbor in secret; for I hate him who has a proud countenance and a haughty spirit.

    Psalm 101:5

  8. So the tongue is but a small member, yet it does great things. See how a little fire kindles a great forest! And the tongue is also a fire, a world full of injustice. So the tongue is among our members and defiles the whole body and sets all our members on fire, when it is kindled by hell.

    James 3:5-6

  9. But no man can tame the tongue, that restless evil, full of deadly poison. By it we praise God, the Father, and by it we curse men, who are made in the image of God. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. This should not be, beloved brethren.

    James 3:8-10

  10. Do not slander one another, beloved brethren. He who slanders and judges his brother slanders the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge.

    James 4:11

Words that build up

How to speak instead.

  1. Let no corrupt communication come out of your mouth, but only what is useful for edification, so that it may be good to hear.

    Ephesians 4:29RelationshipsWords

  2. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

    Colossians 4:6RelationshipsWords

  3. Where there are many words, there is no escape from sin; but he who keeps his lips is wise.

    Proverbs 10:19RelationshipsWords

  4. He who covers an offense makes friendship; but he who stirs up the matter separates friends.

    Proverbs 17:9

  5. He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from trouble.

    Proverbs 21:23Self-control

  6. LORD, keep my mouth and guard my lips.

    Psalm 141:3Words

  7. But I say to you that men must give an account at the last judgment for every idle word that they have spoken.

    Matthew 12:36

  8. Furthermore, beloved brethren, what is true, what is honorable, what is just, what is pure, what is lovely, what is of good report, is this not a virtue, is this not praise, then think on it!

    Philippians 4:8ThinkingSpirit

  9. For he who wants to live and see good days shall keep his tongue from speaking evil, and his lips from lying.

    1 Peter 3:10

  10. Let no one slander, let no one quarrel, let all be gentle, showing all gentleness toward all men.

    Titus 3:2Gentleness

Bible texts: Luther Bible 1912 (public domain), carefully adapted to modern spelling.

Related Topics

WordsLiesHonestyFriendshipConflictJudgingRelationships

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Why the Bible warns against gossip

Gossip seems harmless – a little news, a little entertainment. The Proverbs describe it differently: “The words of a slanderer are like blows and pierce the heart” (Proverbs 18:8). They hit and take hold. And: “a slanderer separates friends” (Proverbs 16:28) – gossip destroys friendships. James compares the tongue to a little fire that kindles a whole forest (James 3:5). Already the law of Israel explicitly says: “You shall not be a slanderer among your people” (Exodus 19:16).

What helps instead

Paul gives a simple standard: “Let no corrupt communication come out of your mouth, but only what is useful for edification, so that it may be good to hear” (Ephesians 4:29). Three questions help before spreading it further: Is it true? Is it necessary? Does it build up? He who covers another’s fault, “makes friendship” (Proverbs 17:9). More on this at Bible verses about words and speaking, Bible verses about lies and Bible verses about judging and condemning.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Bible say about gossip?

The Bible warns against slander and evil speech (Proverbs 16:28; Exodus 19:16; James 4:11) and calls us to build up with words (Ephesians 4:29).

Where does it say something about the tongue?

Especially in James 3:1-12, where the tongue is compared to a little fire and a rudder, and in many verses of the Proverbs.

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