It’s easy to fall into the trap of speaking negatively about others, but the Bible makes it clear that gossip is not in line with God’s will.
It is among the most destructive forces in relationships, communities, and churches.
It damages reputations, creates division, and undermines trust.
God calls us to speak life, not death, into the lives of others.
Today, the scripture highlights the power of words, the importance of guarding our tongues, and the call to live in peace with one another.
Bible Verses About Gossip
1. Proverbs 16:28 – Divisive Words
“A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.”
2. Proverbs 11:13 – Faithful in Concealing Secrets
“A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.”
3. Proverbs 20:19 – The Dangers of Gossip
“A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.”
4. James 4:11 – Don’t Speak Against Each Other
“Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it.”
5. Ephesians 4:29 – Speak Only What is Helpful
“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.”
6. Proverbs 26:20 – Strife and Gossip
“Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.”
7. Leviticus 19:16 – Do Not Spread Slander
“Do not go about spreading slander among your people. Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the Lord.”
8. Matthew 18:15 – Address Issues Directly
“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.”
9. Proverbs 18:8 – The Sweetness of Gossip
“The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.”
10. Psalm 101:5 – The Consequences of Gossip
“Whoever slanders their neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not tolerate.”
11. Proverbs 12:18 – Words Can Hurt
“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
12. 1 Peter 3:10 – Guard Your Tongue
“For whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.”
13. Romans 1:29 – The Downfall of Gossip
“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.”
14. Proverbs 4:24 – Speak with Integrity
“Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.”
15. Proverbs 15:4 – A Gentle Tongue
“The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.”
16. Galatians 5:15 – Avoiding Division
“If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.”
17. Proverbs 17:9 – Love Covers All
“Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.”
18. James 1:26 – Bridle Your Tongue
“Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.”
19. Proverbs 25:9-10 – Settle Disputes Without Gossip
“If you take your neighbor to court, do not betray another’s confidence, or the one who hears it may shame you and the charge against you will stand.”
20. 2 Corinthians 12:20 – Avoid Divisiveness
“I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin, and debauchery in which they have indulged.”
21. Matthew 12:36 – Words Are Accounted For
“But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.”
22. Psalm 141:3 – Set a Guard Over My Mouth
“Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.”
23. Proverbs 6:16-19 – God Hates Gossip
“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.”
24. Proverbs 10:19 – Guard Your Words
“Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.”
25. Colossians 3:8 – Put Away Malice
“But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.”
26. Proverbs 21:23 – Guarding Your Mouth
“Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.”
27. Proverbs 17:27-28 – Quietness of Speech
“The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.”
28. James 3:5-6 – The Power of the Tongue
“Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body.”
29. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 – Love Protects and Trusts
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
30. Proverbs 15:28 – A Wise Heart Guards Its Speech
“The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.”
31. Ecclesiastes 7:21-22 – Don’t Listen to Gossip
“Do not pay attention to every word people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you— for you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others.”
32. Psalm 101:5 – No Gossip Among Us
“Whoever slanders their neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not tolerate.”
33. 1 Timothy 5:13 – Gossip and Idleness
“Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also busybodies who talk nonsense, saying things they ought not to.”
34. 2 Corinthians 12:20 – Divisive Behavior
“I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin, and debauchery in which they have indulged.”
35. Proverbs 12:22 – God Detests Lying Lips
“The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.”
Our Thoughts on What the Bible Says About Gossip
The Bible clearly states that gossip is harmful and destructive.
It tears down relationships, creates division, and damages reputations.
As believers, we are called to speak life, not death, into the lives of others.
These verses remind us of the power of our words and the importance of guarding our tongues.
Let them serve as a guide in choosing words that build up, encourage, and promote unity.
Say This Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the wisdom You provide in Your Word.
Please help me to guard my tongue and speak words that build up others, not tear them down.
Give me the strength to resist the temptation to gossip and to promote peace and unity instead.
May my speech reflect Your love and truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.