Gossip can destroy relationships, tarnish reputations, and create division—yet many struggle with the temptation to engage in it.
The Bible provides clear guidance on the dangers of gossip and the importance of guarding our tongues.
These bible verses about gossip remind us that words hold power, either to build up or tear down.
From Proverbs’ warnings about deceitful lips to James’ teachings on taming the tongue, Scripture emphasizes speaking with wisdom and love.
Whether you’re seeking conviction or encouragement to speak life, these verses will help you reflect on the impact of your words.
Let them guide you toward edifying communication that honors God and others.
Bible Verses About Gossip | The Danger of Harmful Words
A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends. – Proverbs 16:28
The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; the one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. – Proverbs 13:3
Do not go about spreading slander among your people. – Leviticus 19:16
A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret. – Proverbs 11:13
Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. – Proverbs 17:9
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts. – Proverbs 18:8
Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. – James 4:11
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up. – Ephesians 4:29
For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers. – Proverbs 11:14
A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating. – Proverbs 18:6
Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. – Psalm 34:13
The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. – Proverbs 15:4
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. – Proverbs 21:23
A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue. – Proverbs 11:12
The wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue. – Proverbs 17:4
You are to tell the truth to each other and render true and sound judgment in your courts. – Zechariah 8:16
Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool. – Proverbs 10:18
The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked make themselves a stench and bring shame on themselves. – Proverbs 13:5
The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in people who are trustworthy. – Proverbs 12:22
A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin. – Proverbs 26:28
Save for Later to Your Pinterest Board
Scriptures on Speech | How to Tame the Tongue
A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends. – Proverbs 16:28
Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool. – Proverbs 10:18
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts. – Proverbs 18:8
Do not go about spreading slander among your people. – Leviticus 19:16
Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. – James 4:11
A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue. – Proverbs 11:12
The tongue of the wise brings healing, but the tongue of the wicked brings destruction. – Proverbs 12:18
A fool’s mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul. – Proverbs 18:7
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up. – Ephesians 4:29
For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers. – Proverbs 11:14
The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked make themselves a stench and bring shame on themselves. – Proverbs 13:5
He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who is quick-tempered exalts folly. – Proverbs 14:29
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. – Proverbs 15:1
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. – Proverbs 21:23
The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; the one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. – Proverbs 13:3
The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. – Proverbs 15:4
A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating. – Proverbs 18:6
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. – Proverbs 18:21
A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. – Proverbs 17:27
Biblical Wisdom on Avoiding Slander
A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret. – Proverbs 11:13
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts. – Proverbs 18:8
A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue. – Proverbs 11:12
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up. – Ephesians 4:29
The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked make themselves a stench and bring shame on themselves. – Proverbs 13:5
A fool’s mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul. – Proverbs 18:7
A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. – Proverbs 17:27
The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; the one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. – Proverbs 13:3
The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in people who are trustworthy. – Proverbs 12:22
Do not go about spreading slander among your people. – Leviticus 19:16
Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool. – Proverbs 10:18
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. – Proverbs 18:21
A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating. – Proverbs 18:6
For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers. – Proverbs 11:14
A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends. – Proverbs 16:28
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. – Proverbs 15:1
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. – Proverbs 21:23
A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin. – Proverbs 26:28
A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating. – Proverbs 18:6
Proverbs About Gossip | Speaking Life, Not Lies
Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. – James 4:11
The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. – Proverbs 15:4
Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. – Psalm 34:13
A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends. – Proverbs 16:28
A fool’s mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul. – Proverbs 18:7
The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; the one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. – Proverbs 13:3
Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. – Proverbs 17:9
A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. – Proverbs 17:27
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up. – Ephesians 4:29
A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating. – Proverbs 18:6
The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked make themselves a stench and bring shame on themselves. – Proverbs 13:5
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts. – Proverbs 18:8
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. – Proverbs 21:23
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. – Proverbs 15:1
A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret. – Proverbs 11:13
The wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue. – Proverbs 17:4
A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. – Proverbs 17:27
He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who is quick-tempered exalts folly. – Proverbs 14:29
Encouraging Words | Bible Verses for Positive Speech
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. – Proverbs 18:21
A fool’s mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul. – Proverbs 18:7
A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue. – Proverbs 11:12
A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends. – Proverbs 16:28
Do not go about spreading slander among your people. – Leviticus 19:16
A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret. – Proverbs 11:13
Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. – Psalm 34:13
The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked make themselves a stench and bring shame on themselves. – Proverbs 13:5
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts. – Proverbs 18:8
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up. – Ephesians 4:29