Gossip is easy to fall into but hard to undo. It can damage reputations, hurt relationships, and grieve the heart of God. Thankfully, the Bible speaks clearly about the power of our words — and the dangers of gossip.
These 30 powerful Bible verses about gossip will help us understand why guarding our tongue matters, and how we can use our speech to build others up, not tear them down.
Whether you’ve struggled with gossip yourself or have been hurt by it, God’s Word brings truth, healing, and wisdom for moving forward.
Why Bible Verses About Gossip Matter
In today’s world, gossip can spread faster than ever — through whispers, text messages, social media, and even prayer circles disguised as concern.
But Bible verses about gossip remind us:
-
Words carry life or death (Proverbs 18:21).
-
God calls us to be peacemakers, not troublemakers.
-
A pure heart reflects pure speech.
-
Healing starts with choosing better words.
Let’s dive into Scripture and see how God teaches us to resist gossip and honor Him with our conversations.
30 Powerful Bible Verses About Gossip
1. Proverbs 16:28
“A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.”
Gossip divides what God intended to be united.
2. Proverbs 11:13
“A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.”
Trust is easily broken by careless words.
3. Ephesians 4:29
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up.”
Bible verses about gossip urge us to be intentional about uplifting speech.
4. Proverbs 18:8
“The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.”
Gossip may sound sweet, but it poisons the heart.
5. James 1:26
“Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves.”
True faith controls its words.
6. Titus 3:2
“To slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.”
Bible verses about gossip call us to be peacemakers, not rumor spreaders.
7. Proverbs 20:19
“A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.”
God’s wisdom tells us to steer clear of gossip.
8. 1 Peter 3:10
“Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.”
Guarding your words leads to a fuller life.
Each of these Bible verses about gossip reminds us that our words shape our character.
9. 2 Timothy 2:16
“Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.”
Gossip pulls our hearts away from God.
10. Exodus 23:1
“Do not spread false reports. Do not help a guilty person by being a malicious witness.”
Bible verses about gossip are clear: spreading lies makes us partners with injustice.
11. Psalm 34:13
“Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.”
Self-control over speech reflects a heart anchored in God.
12. Colossians 3:8
“But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.”
Gossip is grouped with serious sins we are called to lay down.
13. Proverbs 26:20
“Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.”
Gossip fuels conflict. Silence starves it.
14. James 3:5-6
“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.”
Bible verses about gossip show how tiny words can cause massive damage.
15. Matthew 12:36
“But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.”
Our words carry eternal weight.
16. Proverbs 10:18
“Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool.”
Wise people choose words carefully.
17. Psalm 101:5
“Whoever slanders their neighbor in secret, I will put to silence.”
God Himself opposes gossip.
18. Leviticus 19:16
“Do not go about spreading slander among your people.”
Bible verses about gossip show it’s been a serious issue since ancient times.
19. James 4:11
“Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another.”
Gossip damages spiritual family.
20. Proverbs 17:9
“Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.”
Love covers — gossip exposes.
21. 2 Corinthians 12:20
“For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be… quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.”
Paul warns that gossip invites chaos into communities.
22. Romans 1:29
“They have become filled with every kind of wickedness… they are gossips.”
Gossip is listed among serious heart sins.
23. Proverbs 21:23
“Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.”
Guarding your tongue protects your peace.
24. Matthew 15:11
“What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”
Bible verses about gossip show that words reveal the heart.
25. Psalm 141:3
“Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.”
A wise prayer for those who desire pure speech.
26. Galatians 5:15
“If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.”
Gossip destroys unity.
27. Proverbs 6:16-19
“The Lord hates… a false witness who pours out lies, and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.”
God hates gossip because it tears His people apart.
28. 1 Timothy 5:13
“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.”
Idle tongues lead to destructive gossip.
29. Zechariah 8:16-17
“Speak the truth to each other… do not plot evil against each other.”
Bible verses about gossip call us to speak truth, not rumors.
30. Ephesians 5:4
“Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.”
Replace gossip with gratefulness and blessing.
Conclusion
Gossip may seem harmless at first, but it carries devastating power.
The Bible verses about gossip remind us that God calls His people to higher ground — to words that heal, encourage, and bring life.
Before speaking, may we ask:
-
Is it true?
-
Is it kind?
-
Is it necessary?
Let’s be people who refuse to tear others down and instead choose words that honor God and strengthen our communities.
Your voice matters.
Let it be a voice of blessing, not brokenness.
