What Does the Bible Say About Gossip Of The Tongue?

Proverbs 6:16-19 ESV / 18 helpful votes

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, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.

Proverbs 20:19 ESV / 17 helpful votes

Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.

Proverbs 11:13 ESV / 15 helpful votes

Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.

1 Timothy 5:13 ESV / 14 helpful votes

Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not.

Proverbs 16:28 ESV / 14 helpful votes

A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.

Leviticus 19:16 ESV / 14 helpful votes

You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord.

Ephesians 4:29 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

James 1:26 ESV / 11 helpful votes

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.

Matthew 12:36 ESV / 11 helpful votes

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,

James 4:11 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.

Proverbs 26:20 ESV / 10 helpful votes

For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.

Proverbs 21:23 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

Proverbs 18:8 ESV / 9 helpful votes

The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.

Titus 3:2 ESV / 7 helpful votes

To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.

Proverbs 25:23 ESV / 7 helpful votes

The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.

Psalm 34:13 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.

Philippians 4:8 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

2 Corinthians 12:20 ESV / 6 helpful votes

For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.

Proverbs 17:9 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.

Proverbs 15:1 ESV / 6 helpful votes

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 13:3 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

Psalm 101:5 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly I will destroy. Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure.

Psalm 19:14 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

James 3:5 ESV / 5 helpful votes

So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!

Romans 1:29 ESV / 5 helpful votes

They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips,

Luke 6:31 ESV / 5 helpful votes

And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

Proverbs 12:18 ESV / 5 helpful votes

There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 11:12-13 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent. Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.

1 Peter 4:15 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.

Ephesians 4:31 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

Romans 12:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 3:23 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Matthew 7:12 ESV / 4 helpful votes

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Proverbs 25:18 ESV / 4 helpful votes

A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.

Proverbs 10:19 ESV / 4 helpful votes

When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

Exodus 23:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes

“You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness.

1 Peter 2:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.

2 Thessalonians 3:11 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.

1 Thessalonians 4:11 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you,

Romans 1:18 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.

Matthew 12:37 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Matthew 12:36-37 ESV / 3 helpful votes

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Ecclesiastes 10:11 ESV / 3 helpful votes

If the serpent bites before it is charmed, there is no advantage to the charmer.

Proverbs 29:20 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Proverbs 26:22 ESV / 3 helpful votes

The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.

Proverbs 18:21 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

Proverbs 16:24 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

Proverbs 10:18 ESV / 3 helpful votes

The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool.

Proverbs 10:12 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.

Proverbs 6:19 ESV / 3 helpful votes

A false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.

Psalm 23:1-6 ESV / 3 helpful votes

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ...

Exodus 20:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

1 Peter 3:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.

James 3:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.

James 3:5-7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind,

James 3:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.

James 1:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Titus 2:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good,

2 Timothy 4:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

1 Timothy 3:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things.

1 Timothy 1:5-7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.

Colossians 4:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

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

Colossians 3:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.

Philippians 1:27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,

Ephesians 4:32 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Galatians 5:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Romans 12:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

Romans 1:28-32 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.

John 8:44 ESV / 2 helpful votes

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Matthew 12:34 ESV / 2 helpful votes

You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

Proverbs 26:20-22 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases. As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.

Proverbs 25:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

Proverbs 25:9-10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another's secret, lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end.

Proverbs 18:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.

Proverbs 17:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.

Proverbs 16:27-28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.

Proverbs 15:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

Proverbs 12:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly.

Proverbs 11:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.

Proverbs 11:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.

Proverbs 11:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.

Psalm 52:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit.

Psalm 50:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother's son.

Psalm 15:1-5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

A Psalm of David. O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart; who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend; in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the Lord; who swears to his own hurt and does not change; who does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.

85 Bible Verses about Gossip Of The Tongue

Proverbs 6:16-19 ESV / 18 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 20:19 ESV / 17 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 11:13 ESV / 15 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 5:13 ESV / 14 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 16:28 ESV / 14 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Leviticus 19:16 ESV / 14 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:29 ESV / 12 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:26 ESV / 11 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 12:36 ESV / 11 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 4:11 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 26:20 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 21:23 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 18:8 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Titus 3:2 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 25:23 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 34:13 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 4:8 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 12:20 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 17:9 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 15:1 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 13:3 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 101:5 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 19:14 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 3:5 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 1:29 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 6:31 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 12:18 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 11:12-13 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 4:15 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:31 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 3:23 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 7:12 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 25:18 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 10:19 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Exodus 23:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 2:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Thessalonians 3:11 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Thessalonians 4:11 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 1:18 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 12:37 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 12:36-37 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 10:11 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 29:20 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 26:22 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 18:21 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 16:24 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 10:18 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 10:12 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 6:19 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 23:1-6 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Exodus 20:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 3:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 3:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 3:5-7 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 3:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Titus 2:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 4:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 3:1-5 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 3:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 1:5-7 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 4:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 3:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 1:27 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:32 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 5:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 1:28-32 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 8:44 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 12:34 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 26:20-22 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 25:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 25:9-10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 18:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 17:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 16:27-28 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 15:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 12:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful