Bible Verses about Gossip (and the Truth Behind It)
In today’s world, it’s important to understand what the Bible Verses about Gossip are telling us! When it comes to gossiping sometimes we call it venting.
Sometimes we call it confiding. I want to let you all know the Bible verses about gossip. More importantly, I want you to know the truth behind it.
There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: Proverbs 6:16
Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood. Proverbs 6:17
A heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil. Proverbs 6:18
A false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers. Proverbs 6:19
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Bible verses about gossip
Contents
Let’s take the time to break gossiping down first. We can read all the Bible verses about gossip that are out there, but it will mean nothing unless we allow the Holy Spirit to help us apply it to everyday life.
It is so easy for us all to say that we don’t take part in gossip but is that a true statement? We will be held accountable, for every word we say.
I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak. Matthew 12:36
Sweet sister in Christ, all of us come into contact on the topic of gossip every single day, especially at our workplace. You know what I’m referring to already don’t you?
You may come across a few people gathered together whispering, and before you know it, you want to “hear” what’s being said. Now, I can visualize what’s already taking place as you read this.
You’re shaking your head, turning a blind eye, and turning a deaf ear, shouting loudly…NOT ME!!! I don’t Gossip! Now, I love you but I can almost guarantee that you most definitely do because we all do. We might not mean to but much too often it ends up that way.
Why is it so hard for us to just turn around and walk away? Why can’t we just work more diligently, to separate ourselves from it altogether? I will be the first one to admit that I am far from perfect and I don’t claim that I am.
OBEY THE BIBLE VERSES ABOUT GOSSIP
Yes, I know God’s Word. Yet, I let my tongue slip just like everyone else. What we must do is own up to it! For the most part, I keep to myself at work and I stay in my lab bay. Now you do what works for you to separate yourself from it altogether.
EXAMPLE OF GOSSIPING
Let’s say you’re either having lunch among fellow co-workers or shopping with friends. During your discussions a name will “pop up” and questions start forming in your minds about a mentioned person. Do you stay silent? Ouch!
An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives his ear to a mischievous tongue. Proverbs 17:4
Truth on Gossiping
Once the name of a person is mentioned, the next line of gossip may sound like this:
- “Did you hear what she or he said?”
- “Did you see what she or he did?”
- “Well, I heard this or I heard that!”
- “You MUST tell me what’s going on!”
- “Well, I suppose it won’t hurt, as long as it stays between us!”
Is the Holy Spirit Convicting You on this?
Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler. Proverbs 20:19
What’s even worse, is gossip among Christians! You can read a full post on We MUST Be a Good Steward for Christ!
You and I may be the ONLY representation they see so it’s important we display the same humility Jesus did…not gossiping with slanderous speech.
Heavenly Father Please Let them see Jesus in Me with regarding the words I use and may that be true of ALL of us!
Examples of Non-Christ-like speech on gossiping
- “I wonder where brother or sister so and so have been?”
- “Why are they not a Church?”
- “They sure let the offering dish pass them by?”
- “Why are so many attendees leaving our Church?”
- “Why aren’t they using a certain Bible?”
Do you see and understand my point where gossiping is concerned now, sweet friends? What may start out as good intentions on our part can quickly become much more than we intended?
What happens is we can quickly find ourselves drawn into the conversation, and before you know it, our mouth starts running as well.
It’s not in a good way either. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Ephesians 4:29
Sweet Friend gossip doesn’t just involve speaking only! it also involves hearing about what’s being said as well.
The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body. Proverbs 26:22
Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart. Proverbs 26:23
Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart. Proverbs 26:24
When he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart. Proverbs 26:25
Though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. Proverbs 26:26
Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling. Proverbs 26:27
A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin. Proverbs 26:28
Words are so powerful and we must use words that encourage words of hope, not words that tear others apart. Once they are spoken they can not be taken back.
What’s so discouraging is our world today is so technological that gossiping doesn’t have to be in person or on the phone.
Gossiping is spread through TV, websites, social media, and magazines. Facebook seems it’s airing everyone’s dirty laundry anymore. I have seen more quarreling since the election and riots I don’t enjoy it the way I use to.
Our children are reading and seeing these posts and the language I don’t even want to go there. It might seem harmless but it’s not!
I did some research on different types of speech and got the definitions to help us understand more about harmful words we use when gossiping:
- Gossip: Rumor or talk of a personal, sensational, or intimate nature.
- Rumor: Unverified information of uncertain origin usually spread by word of mouth or hearsay.
- Slander: The utterance of defamatory statements injurious to the reputation or well-being of a person. A malicious statement or report.
- Backbite: To speak spitefully or slanderously about (a person).
- Talebearer: A person who spreads malicious stories or gossip.
- Rail: To condemn or attack in bitter, harsh, or abusive language.
- Revile: To denounce with abusive language
Now this leaves us with important things to consider…How do we break FREE from gossip? I have five ways listed below that I use on a daily basis.
5 Tips TO BREAK FREE FROM GOSSIP
1. Change the Topic of the Conversation
When someone walks up to you and wants to start gossiping about someone else, one of the easiest ways for me to end it, is to STOP the conversation in its track.
Politely and quickly change the subject altogether and in most cases, that’s very effective.
2. Keep to Yourself and Stay Busy
One of the things I’ve learned rather quickly is to do your job and keep to yourself. Gossipers thrive on being the center of attention.
Those who enjoy talking about others will get the point that YOU are an individual that does NOT want to partake in those type of conversations. then, they will move on to someone who does.
3. Just Walk Away and Show You’re Not Interested
If You choose to remain in a conversation that you know you shouldn’t be listening to, even if you remain silent and not join in, those around that see it taking place, will just assume that you were gossiping as well.
If you continue to stay there, all you’ll be accomplishing is feeding their need to continue the gossip that shouldn’t be going on in the first place.
4. Be an Example that Others will Want to Model
You may NOT be able to STOP others around YOU from gossiping but that doesn’t mean YOU have to be one of them.
In other words, if YOU are one who stays silent…Trust me, people will notice that and hopefully, they will choose to follow your example.
Friends this is an area that’s extremely heartbreaking. It seems people get braver when they’re behind a Computer and NOT face to face with someone.
Internet Bullying has grown rapidly in our nation and has caused so much hurt, especially in teenagers.
Sadly the harm it’s doing is causing our children to commit suicide and gossip in this form is worst of all. What we need above ALL else is the Truth of Scriptures on Gossiping and I have those listed below.
What Does the bible say about gossip?
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! James 3:5
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 3:6
For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind. James 3:7
But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. James 3:8
As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him. Titus 3:10
For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases. Proverbs 26:20
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
And the second, like it, is this, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these. Mark 12:31
In Closing on Bible Verses about Gossip (and the Truth Behind It)
We need to fill ourselves up with these Bible verses about gossip. We need to fill up with His word so we don’t speak slanderous words! Gossip may seem harmless, but that’s not true!
Let your speech ALWAYS be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know, how you ought to answer each person. Colossians 4:6
Whether you spread it or just listen in, you are hurting others but you are also hurting yourself. If you get the urge to “LISTEN IN OR CAN’T TAME THE TONGUE” pray and ask God for the courage to walk away, and separate yourself from it.
Remember what King Solomon wrote, “The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man’s inmost parts” (Proverbs 18:8)
I want to leave this post, with one final bible verses about gossip:
Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth, keep watch over the door of my lips! Psalm 141:3
Replace Gossip with Prayer
Christians should respond to gossip in the right way and use their tongues to spread the love and salvation found in Jesus Christ not for spreading division. Learn a biblical way of overcoming the Spirit of Gossip with Prayer.
If Bible Verses about Gossip (and the Truth Behind It) convicted you check out similar posts below.
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Such a convicting post, because I know we all get sucked into gossip- even just listening! (Thanks for pointing that one out- I kinda forget about that part!) Loved your 5 ways to break free from gossip- I’m so thankful for the conviction of the Holy Spirit when I am tempted to engage!
This is a very timely post. I agree that gossip and bullying are running rampant in our world today. Thank you for the scripture that backs up the Lord’s position on gossip. Great post!
Yes! Gossip can be so incredibly damaging to our relationships. I have been hurt on several occasions by gossip, and I have also hurt others with my gossip. Now, I try to imagine what God thinks about each individual person and only say things about them that are in line with that vision. I’m not always successful, but it has been such a helpful reminder.
Gossip is very damaging to relationships Erin. I am guilty of gossip myself and the Holy Spirit convicts me too when I stray towards that line. Thankful for that. We can only strive to be more like Jesus. Thank you so much for your feedback.