30+ Bible Verses About Gossip, Slander, and Rumors: Biblical Guidance for Healing and Change

Have you ever walked away from a conversation about interpersonal drama and felt that sinking feeling in your stomach? The chat may have started innocently, but somewhere along the line, it veered into dissecting someone else’s life. Your heart feels heavy, and you wish you could take the words back.

Or maybe you’re here because you’ve been wounded by harmful rumors or gossip. Perhaps you overheard your name in a hushed tone, or a friend awkwardly told you about something being passed around – maybe even disguised as a “prayer request”. The sting of being misunderstood is sharp and deeply personal.

Whether you are seeking healing or biblical guidance on how to change, you’ve come to a safe place. This article offers more than just a list; it’s a guide to understanding bible verses about words, finding hope, and taking practical steps toward spiritual growth.

30+ Bible Verses About Gossip (Quick Reference List)

Here is a quick, scannable list of scriptures about gossip in the Bible for your reference and study. All verses are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.

1. Proverbs 16:28: “A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.”
2. Proverbs 26:20: “Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.”
3. James 1:26: “Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.”
4. Psalm 34:18: “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
5. Isaiah 54:17: “No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.”
6. 1 Peter 3:16: “Keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”
7. 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
8. 2 Corinthians 12:9: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'”
9. Proverbs 18:21: “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
10. Ephesians 4:29: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
11. 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.”
12. Galatians 6:1: “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently.”
13. Proverbs 20:19: “A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.”
14. Leviticus 19:16: “‘Do not go about spreading slander among your people. Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the LORD.’”
15. James 4:11: “Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it.”
16. Romans 1:29: “They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips”
17. Proverbs 17:9: “Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.”
18. Proverbs 18:8: “The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.”
19. Psalm 101:5: “Whoever slanders their neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not tolerate.”
20. Titus 3:2: “To speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.”
21. Proverbs 10:19: “When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.”
22. 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 gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to.”
23. Psalm 141:3: “Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.”
24. Proverbs 21:23: “Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from trouble.”
25. Proverbs 15:28: “The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.”
26. James 3:5-6 (abridged): “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. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body.”
27. Proverbs 25:23: “As a north wind brings rain, so a sly tongue brings angry looks.”
28. Exodus 23:1: “Do not spread false reports. Do not help a guilty person by being a malicious witness.”
29. Proverbs 12:18: “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
30. Psalm 64:2-4 (abridged): “Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, from the plots of evildoers. They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim cruel words like deadly arrows.”
31. Proverbs 11:9: “With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors, but through knowledge the righteous escape.”
32. Proverbs 13:3: “Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.”

What Does the Bible Say About Gossip, and Why Does it Matter?

Scripture takes our words seriously because it recognizes the immense power of the tongue. The Hebrew word for a slanderer or tale-bearer, rakil, which appears in verses like Leviticus 19:16 (NIV) which says, “Do not go about spreading slander among your people…”, paints a picture of a peddler who travels around selling information that isn’t his to sell. So, what does the bible say about gossip? It treats it as a significant heart issue because of the damage it causes. This includes scriptures on backbiting, a form of gossip that happens behind someone’s back.

When we ask what does Jesus say about gossip, his teachings point to the heart. He warned, “But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken” (Matthew 12:36 NIV). This shows the deep importance of our speech. Yet He also modeled grace, as seen when He prayed on the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34 NIV). His example guides us to trust in God’s justice while responding with a heart of love.

Learn more about Bible verses about being Christ-like to model His grace.

For the Wounded Heart: Bible Verses For When You’re Gossiped About

Being the subject of harmful rumors can be incredibly painful. If you are seeking healing from gossip, know that your feelings are valid. It’s natural to feel a deep sense of betrayal and to question who you can trust. God has not abandoned you in this pain.

He Sees Your Pain and Defends You

When your spirit feels crushed, you can find comfort in the promise that “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18 NIV). He is your defender. For more comfort, explore Bible verses about heartbreak.

Remember His powerful promise in Isaiah 54:17 (NIV): “‘No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me’, declares the LORD.”

See Bible verses about trusting God for more encouragement.

The Gentle Path to Forgiveness

While healing, God gently calls us toward forgiveness. This doesn’t mean pretending the hurt didn’t happen, but releasing the person who hurt you to God. While this next verse speaks broadly about restoring someone caught in any sin, its principle of gentleness guides our hearts. Galatians 6:1 (NIV) says, “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently”. A practical first step is to pray for the person who gossiped about you, asking God to soften your heart and theirs. Forgiveness doesn’t erase the hurt, but it frees you to heal.

This is the first step in restoration, as we are called to ‘restore that person gently’ (Galatians 6:1). For more on this, see our Bible verses about restoration.

Gentle Steps for Healing and Rebuilding

• Journal your feelings to process the pain with God.
• Share your burden with a trusted, discerning friend, pastor, or Christian counselor.
• Rebuild trust slowly. It’s okay to be cautious as you learn who is safe to confide in again.

For the Convicted Heart: Overcoming Gossip with Grace

If you feel the weight of conviction, know that God doesn’t define you by your stumbles. He sees your heart and your desire for overcoming gossip.

Understanding the “Why” with Honesty

This struggle is common. Maybe you repeated a story to feel included, a particular struggle when it comes to gossiping in church settings where community is so important. Acknowledging the root is the first step toward change.

How to Stop Gossiping as a Christian: Practical Steps

This is how to handle gossip biblically when you are the one struggling. From a place of forgiveness – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 NIV) – we can partner with Him. Though originally speaking to the Apostle Paul about his own struggles, this next verse reminds us that overcoming our weaknesses happens through His power: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness’” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV).

We can apply this through practical steps for honorable Christian speech:

• Practice the Three Questions: Before you speak, ask: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? These questions encourage kindness in speech. Discover more Bible verses about kindness to inspire words that build up.
• Pause and Pray: Create a habit of pausing to pray for wisdom before speaking.
• Find an Accountability Partner: Ask a trusted friend to help you in your journey of guarding your tongue.

Learning from Biblical Examples of Gossip

In the ancient world, a person’s reputation was vital, making slander a devastating weapon. These biblical examples of gossip show this is not a new problem:

• Miriam and Aaron (Numbers 12:1-15): Both Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses’ leadership. God responded swiftly to defend Moses and discipline Miriam. This powerful account teaches us that God takes the defense of His servants’ reputations seriously and that even leaders are not immune to the sin of slander.
• Joseph’s Brothers (Genesis 37): They created a false report about Joseph, causing their father decades of grief. This shows how gossip and lies are often used to cover deeper sins and can inflict decades of pain on innocent people.
• The Pharisees’ Slander of Jesus (Matthew 12:24): They tried to discredit Jesus, who responded with truth and grace. His response provides the ultimate model for us: to counter falsehood not with frantic defense or retaliation, but with unwavering trust in God.

Navigating Gossip in Everyday Life

Gossip often thrives in environments with social pressure. The topic of women gossiping in Bible verses like 1 Timothy 5:13 highlights how community dynamics can sometimes lead to idle talk. If you’re in a conversation that turns negative, gently redirect it or gracefully excuse yourself.

For empowering scriptures, see Bible verses about women.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is gossip a sin according to the Bible?

Yes, the Bible treats speech that harms a neighbor, breaks confidence, or causes strife as sinful because it violates the command to love one another.

2. What does the Bible say about gossiping in church?

Scripture warns against being a “busybody” and speaking things one ought not, as seen in 1 Timothy 5:13 (NIV): “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 gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to”. The principle is to ensure that speech within the church community is used for building up and encouraging others, as instructed in Ephesians 4:29 (NIV): “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen”.

Walking Forward in Hope

Whether you came here wounded or convicted, the path forward is paved with grace. This journey is a core part of daily Christian living and a beautiful way to “wear your faith” with integrity and “share His hope”. For more guidance, explore our Bible verses for everyday life to deepen your walk.

A Gentle Prayer for Our Words

Lord, please help me follow the wisdom of Psalm 141:3 (NIV): "Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips". Heal the parts of my heart hurt by words, and gently convict me when I'm tempted to use my own to harm. Fill me with Your grace, so that my speech would only bring life and glory to You. Amen.