Gossip and slander are dangerous because they destroy relationships, damage reputations, and create division among believers. The Bible warns us against speaking falsehoods, spreading secrets, and using our words to harm others. Instead of tearing people down, Christians are called to speak words that encourage, heal, and bring unity. God desires truth, kindness, and integrity in everything we say.
Our words have great power, and the Bible reminds us that we will be held accountable for how we use them. Gossip may seem harmless, but it can break trust and cause deep wounds. Slander, which involves spreading lies about others, is even worse because it intentionally harms someone’s reputation. As followers of Christ, we must be careful to speak truthfully and lovingly.
Throughout Scripture, God calls us to guard our tongues and avoid harmful speech. Proverbs teaches that gossip separates close friends, while James warns that the tongue is like a fire that can bring great destruction. Jesus also emphasized that our words reveal the condition of our hearts. Speaking with grace and wisdom is an important part of living a Christ-centered life.
To help us understand the seriousness of gossip and slander, here are Bible verses that teach us how to use our words in a way that honors God. May these words encourage us to speak with love, wisdom, and truth in all situations.
Preachers Quotes
“A slanderer wounds three persons: himself, the person who hears him, and the person about whom he speaks.” – Charles Spurgeon
“The Christian should avoid gossip as much as he would avoid stealing.” – John MacArthur
“Gossip is the enemy of unity. It divides the body of Christ and causes strife among believers.” – Rick Warren
“When we speak ill of others, we diminish our own character in the process.” – A.W. Tozer
“A man’s reputation is like fine china—once broken, it’s very hard to repair. Slander and gossip can shatter lives.” – D.L. Moody
“A gossip betrays a confidence, but a faithful friend keeps a secret.” – Tim Keller
“Christians should be known for their love, not for their whispers behind closed doors.” – Billy Graham
You might also be interested in: Bible verses about Toxic People
Bible Verses About Gossip and Slander
Proverbs 11:13 – The danger of revealing secrets
“A talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.” – Proverbs 11:13
Proverbs 16:28 – Gossip separates friends
“A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends.” – Proverbs 16:28
Proverbs 18:8 – Gossip is deeply harmful
“The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, and they go down into the inmost body.” – Proverbs 18:8
Proverbs 20:19 – Avoid those who gossip
“He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.” – Proverbs 20:19
Leviticus 19:16 – Do not spread slander
“You shall not go about as a talebearer among your people; nor shall you take a stand against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord.” – Leviticus 19:16
Psalm 101:5 – God opposes slander
“Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, Him I will destroy; the one who has a haughty look and a proud heart, Him I will not endure.” – Psalm 101:5
Romans 1:29-30 – Slander is part of a sinful nature
“Being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents.” – Romans 1:29-30
James 4:11 – Do not speak evil of one another
“Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law.” – James 4:11
1 Timothy 5:13 – Idleness leads to gossip
“And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.” – 1 Timothy 5:13
Ephesians 4:29 – Speak only what edifies
“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” – Ephesians 4:29
Colossians 3:8 – Put away slander
“But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.” – Colossians 3:8
Titus 3:2 – Speak evil of no one
“To speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.” – Titus 3:2
Matthew 12:36 – Every idle word will be judged
“But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.” – Matthew 12:36
1 Peter 3:10 – Keep your tongue from evil
“For ‘He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit.’” – 1 Peter 3:10
2 Corinthians 12:20 – Gossip leads to division
“For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults.” – 2 Corinthians 12:20
Exodus 23:1 – Do not spread false reports
“You shall not circulate a false report. Do not put your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.” – Exodus 23:1
Proverbs 6:16-19 – God hates a false witness
“These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.” – Proverbs 6:16-19
Proverbs 10:18 – Slander is foolish
“Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.” – Proverbs 10:18
Proverbs 17:9 – Love covers offenses
“He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates friends.” – Proverbs 17:9
Proverbs 26:20 – Gossip fuels strife
“Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.” – Proverbs 26:20
Psalm 34:13 – Guard your tongue
“Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.” – Psalm 34:13
Psalm 15:1-3 – A righteous person avoids gossip
“Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart; he who does not backbite with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor does he take up a reproach against his friend.” – Psalm 15:1-3
Matthew 15:18-19 – Evil words come from the heart
“But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.” – Matthew 15:18-19
Luke 6:31 – Treat others how you want to be treated
“And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.” – Luke 6:31
Luke 6:45 – A good heart speaks good things
“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” – Luke 6:45
Acts 23:5 – Do not speak evil of authority
“Then Paul said, ‘I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, “You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.”’” – Acts 23:5
2 Timothy 2:16 – Avoid idle talk
“But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.” – 2 Timothy 2:16
1 Peter 2:1 – Lay aside evil speaking
“Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking.” – 1 Peter 2:1
1 Peter 2:12 – Live honorably among unbelievers
“Having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.” – 1 Peter 2:12
1 Peter 3:16 – Have a good conscience
“Having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.” – 1 Peter 3:16
Proverbs 21:23 – Control your tongue
“Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles.” – Proverbs 21:23
Matthew 5:11 – Blessed are those falsely accused
“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.” – Matthew 5:11
Matthew 7:1-2 – Do not judge others
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” – Matthew 7:1-2
Proverbs 15:4 – A wholesome tongue brings life
“A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.” – Proverbs 15:4
James 3:6 – The tongue is a fire
“And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.” – James 3:6
James 3:8 – No man can tame the tongue
“But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” – James 3:8
Proverbs 12:22 – Lying lips are an abomination
“Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are His delight.” – Proverbs 12:22
Psalm 141:3 – Ask God to guard your mouth
“Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.” – Psalm 141:3
Ecclesiastes 10:12 – A wise person’s words are gracious
“The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool shall swallow him up.” – Ecclesiastes 10:12
Colossians 4:6 – Let your speech be gracious
“Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” – Colossians 4:6
If you’re interested, here’s another article on: Bible verses about Fake Friends
What Does The Bible Say About Gossip And Slander
Gossip and slander are serious issues that the Bible warns against many times. God cares about how we use our words because they have great power. Words can bring life and healing, but they can also cause harm, division, and destruction. Gossip is when someone shares information about others, often without knowing if it is true. Slander is even worse because it involves spreading false information to damage someone’s reputation.
The Bible makes it clear that gossip and slander are sins. Proverbs 16:28 says, “A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends.” This means that gossip can break even the strongest friendships. Instead of bringing people together, gossip creates distrust and pain. Proverbs 11:13 also teaches that “A talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.” This shows that a trustworthy person does not spread rumors but keeps things private.
God calls His people to use their words wisely. Ephesians 4:29 says, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” Our speech should encourage and help others, not bring them down. When we gossip, we are not only hurting others but also disobeying God’s command to love one another.
Jesus also warned about the danger of careless words. In Matthew 12:36, He said, “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.” This means that every word we speak matters, and we will be held responsible for them. Gossip and slander are not small sins; they are serious in God’s eyes.
Instead of speaking badly about others, the Bible teaches us to build one another up. Colossians 4:6 says, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” This means we should always speak with kindness and wisdom.
If we struggle with gossip, we should pray for God’s help to control our words. James 1:26 reminds us, “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.” True faith is shown in how we speak. As followers of Christ, we must resist the temptation to gossip and choose to speak in a way that honors God.