What Does the Bible Say About Gossip and Slander?
Gossip is an extremely dangerous sin. You may think nothing of sharing a juicy tidbit with friends over coffee. You may rationalize you are not hurting anyone. There are whole groups dedicated to gathering and sharing the gossip of the day. The Church is not immune to this practice. Gossip has become associated with Christian churches in some circles. It is an often given reason for people leaving the church.
Yet, God does not minimize or justify gossip and slander. God is clear He despises them. He puts tale-bearing and character assassination in the same category as murder, hating God, and inventing evil. James says your religion is worthless if you don’t have a tight reign on your tongue. God promises to destroy those who slander their neighbor. Can God be any clearer on the issue? He really dislikes gossip and slander.
This can be hard to digest. Isn’t gossip just a victimless crime? Why does it matter so much?
Jesus’ greatest hope for His church is that Christians live in communion. This is a greater unity that any worldly group could ever hope for. Jesus compares it with the bond He has with His Father. He prays for His church that you would be one with your fellow Christians as He and the Father are one.
Gossip and Slander destroy this oneness. A loose tongue sows seeds of division. The gossip and slanderer privately attack their brothers and sisters. They murder reputations and ministries. They attack sheep Jesus paid for with His blood. They just do it privately and tend to think little of it. Gossip and slander are the opposite of loving. They are Christianity without love. For more read A Christian Man without Love
Jesus is the shepherd of those vulnerable sheep. He is in charge of defending them. He is armed and ready to fight those attacking His flock…no matter where they are coming from.
God takes your words very seriously. You will be held responsible for every idle word that comes from your lips.
Have you considered this as you are tempted to light a fire of gossip? Have you thought about how much Jesus loves the target of your angry slander before
it comes forth?
Do you know God can hear you?
A Christian can only live life protecting their character. God is responsible for protecting your reputation. He will do a great job at it.
For more on how to avoid Gossip and Slander, read How to Stop Gossip – We Think.
Here are 23 Powerful Bible Verses Showing God’s Heart on Gossip and Slander
1) Romans 1:28-31
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.
Can it be any clearer?
2) Psalm 101:5
Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly I will destroy. Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure.
3) Matthew 12:36
I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak…
4) Ephesians 4:29
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.
5) James 1:26
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.
6) Titus 3:2
To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
7) Proverbs 6:16-19
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.
8) Proverbs 16:28
A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.
9) Proverbs 21:23
Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
10) Psalm 101:5
Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly I will destroy. Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure.
11) Proverbs 20:19
Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.
12) Proverbs 18:8
The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
13) Proverbs 26:20
For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.
14) James 4:11
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.
15) Psalm 34:13
Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.
16) Proverbs 17:4
An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
17) Proverbs 11:13
Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.
18) 1 Timothy 5:13
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.
19) Proverbs 10:18
The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool.
20) 2 Timothy 2:16
But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,
21) Proverbs 19:5
A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape.
22) James 3:8
But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
23) 1 Thessalonians 4:11
And to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you,
A great resource you have here! Thank you! God loves you!
right now there are Christians in my life who appears to engages in gossip and slander against me without a care in the world. there appears to be no consequences for them, not ones i can see anyway. i hope there will be full justice eventually, but more importantly, i hope there will be vindication for me on this earth one day. Lord, You are so amazing and wondering, so loving and just. please reveal Yourself in my situation and let Your light shine for the world to see. please let the whole world see those slanderers for who they are. Thank you Lord.
I am sorry you are going through this brother. Just know that the Lord does know the truth and He will make all things just in His time. For a little while now we may hurt and struggle – for eternity it will be only joy.
God bless you – Tom
I am being slandered and libeled on social media for the whole world to see. Everytime I have to go somewhere I’m being recorded or a picture is being taken of me and put up on social media to make fun of me. I’m being lied on. These people have diagnosed me with something that I don’t have and has ruined my reputation. These people have people mistreating me and disrespecting me. I’m staying strong with the help of the lord because this is what I have to face on a daily basis. It doesn’t bother me because I know that God will vindicate me when he is ready. I know that there’s a reason I’m going through this for something that’s not true. I know God has a plan and I’m being very patient. I pray for these people everyday and ask God to keep them lifted. I forgive each and everyone of them for they not know what they are doing to theirselves when they do evil things to people.
I am sorry you are going through this, Di’shenna. I will pray for the Lord’s hand of protection and wisdom for you.
That is best thing you can do as a Christian his word says to pray for your enemies it also says vengeance is mine and he is always faithful to his word. Rest assure God will take care of it blessings!
I came here because you liked my post, and this one caught my eye. Thanks!
I wonder if gossip can be defined as “the desire to be first with news” — even if there is nothing hurtful or bad, sometimes we aren’t necessarily edifying anyone; we just want to stroke our pride and be the first to show that we “know what’s going on”.
In a similar vein, how do we react when people tell us something we already know? Our usual response is “I already knew that”… this implies not only are we “aware”, but it also implies that the one who told us has wasted our time. I know a kind man who always thanked someone for the information, even if he already knew it. That man was a good example to me, and I try avoid responding with “I know that already”.
So kind of like a spirit to gossip that is fulfilled through information that is not really gossip per se? Makes sense, good point. Pride and self at the expense of others comes out in so many ways.
Oh boy, yes, on the second point. You highLight the difference between loving and encouraging others for their good alone versus listening for us. We still listen and react but kind of filtered through the lens of our interest. Jesus knows everything there is to know and He still listens and cares.
This I think may be vanity and pride. Both are poisonous to our relationships with God, others and it distorts our view of reality and God’s place for us in this world.
Yes, they are and they are so good at sneaking in and making our Christian life sour. Humility is so important! God bless you, Alan!
Wow, this is powerful! Are we the gossiper/slanderer?? We (I) should really be more aware of my words, my company, my intentions, and seek God more. Like David said, Search me Lord… I say search me Lord!
Gossip is like murdering someone . It likes someone don’t have all the fact . As the story was told it get more lies untruths and slanderous added as it get told over and over agian .It can destroy families and
innocent peoples. These days you can be sue but most people don’t have the money . But God is a just God He will take care of it in his time .God is a on-time God. Jealous and envy can plays a big part in this also. Remember this joy you have the world didn’t give it and world can’t take it away .God has it all in control.
Thank you for this. Evil entered my home about seven years ago. I have two adult children who are out to ruin my life and reputation. Many of my sins have been held up to my face, but I have been forgiven and redeemed by God! I am a spiritual being having a human experience. It is funny to be the villain in someone’s life without getting to defend myself, but God knows me and my heart. Hell is real and I forgive them. I have taken off my cloak of shame and someday, they will know the truth and the love their mother has for them.
I am so sorry you are going through this with your kids, Heather! I will pray for you and them, that the Lord does a wonderful work turning the current pain into something beautiful.
Ive recently lost my job. I was told that customers where saying I wanted my bosses job. Which is a lie. She also told me three people told her this. I dont really talk to people. I keeo to myself and do my job. Also there are people who work and get hired based on the boss knowing them. I live in a very small town. The lady that hired me because she needed help is very close to the other employees, they have known each other all of there lives. I’m not from around here, I moved here to take care of my husband’s family. I worked at a small convenience store. I was fired because the girls said I was bossy, and of the lie that was told to my boss. These people are all connected by family or friends. There are even old men that hang in the store to gossip. I feel betrayed, I wasn’t even listened to when I was pleading my case. People are mean, like to stir trouble and they aren’t what they say they are. All of them. They talk about everyone and everyone talks about them. It was like being in high-school.
I am sorry that you are goinbg through this time and yes, such is the corrosive affect of gossip. I will pray for you.
Thank God for being ever merciful and gracious. This is a very blind flaw, Gods omnicience upon integrity in the midst of this all is quite a marvelous and remarkable thing. Hallelujah
Amen!