Words can heal, but they can also hurt. Talking badly about someone damages trust and creates division. TheBible Verses On Talking Bad About Someone. Scriptures on slander, gossip, and careless speech warn us about the dangers of a reckless tongue. They remind us that speech reveals the heart and affects both our faith and relationships.
In today’s world, gossip spreads faster than ever. Yet God calls us to choose kindness, truth, and encouragement in our conversations. Bible verses about gossip and slander show that words carry spiritual consequences. They can either bring life or cause destruction. This article shares 40 Bible verses on talking badly about someone to help you guard your tongue and live with wisdom.
Why Talking Badly About Someone Is Spiritually Dangerous
Talking badly about others is more than a social issue—it’s a spiritual problem. The Bible warns that slander and gossip are sins of the tongue that can destroy friendships, families, and churches.
Here are some key truths:
- Gossip destroys relationships – Proverbs 16:28 reminds us that gossip separates close friends.
- Slander dishonors God – James 4:11 warns believers not to slander one another because it judges God’s law.
- Careless words matter – Jesus said in Matthew 12:36 that we will give account for every careless word on Judgment Day.
God doesn’t take speech lightly. Words are not just sounds; they carry weight and eternal consequences.
Bible Verses On Talking Badly About Someone
Below is a list of 40 Bible Verses On Talking Bad About Someone, slander, careless words, and guarding your tongue. Each verse reminds us of the power of words in Scripture and God’s call to use them wisely.
1. 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.
2. Proverbs 16:28
A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.
3. 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.
4. Proverbs 11:13
A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. Titus 3:2
To slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.
10. Proverbs 20:19
A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.
11. Psalm 34:13
Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.
12. Proverbs 26:20
Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.
13. Leviticus 19:16
Do not go about spreading slander among your people.
14. 1 Peter 3:10
Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.
15. Proverbs 10:18
Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool.
16. Romans 1:29–30
They have become filled with every kind of wickedness… They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful.
17. 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.
18. Proverbs 21:23
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.
19. Psalm 15:1–3
Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent?… the one whose tongue utters no slander.
20. Ecclesiastes 10:12
Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips.
21. Proverbs 18:8
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.
22. 2 Corinthians 12:20
I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.
23. Matthew 15:18–19
But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.
24. 1 Timothy 5:13
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.
25. Proverbs 6:16–19
There are six things the Lord hates… a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.
26. Luke 6:45
The mouth speaks what the heart is full of.
27. Galatians 5:14–15
If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
28. Proverbs 12:18
The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
29. Psalm 141:3
Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.
30. Micah 6:8
What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
31. Zechariah 8:16–17
Speak the truth to each other… do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this, declares the Lord.
32. Proverbs 17:9
Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
33. Matthew 5:22
Anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
34. Proverbs 15:4
The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
35. James 3:9–10
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings… Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.
36. Proverbs 25:23
The north wind brings rain, and a backbiting tongue brings angry looks.
37. Job 27:4
My lips will not say anything wicked, and my tongue will not utter lies.
38. Isaiah 59:3
For your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with guilt. Your lips have spoken falsely, and your tongue mutters wicked things.
39. Matthew 7:1–2
Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged.
40. Proverbs 4:24
Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
Lessons We Can Learn From These Scriptures
From these Bible verses about gossip, slander, and careless words, we see several key lessons:
- Words have power in the Bible – they can bring healing or destruction.
- Gossip in the church is dangerous – it divides believers and weakens faith communities.
- Speech reveals the heart – as Luke 6:45 says, the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.
- Controlling the tongue is wisdom – guarding your lips protects relationships and honors God.
- Speaking life not curses is God’s will – He calls us to bless, encourage, and strengthen others.
How To Stop Talking Badly About Someone
Here are practical ways to apply biblical wisdom on speech in daily life:
- Pray for God’s help – Ask the Holy Spirit to guard your tongue.
- Replace gossip with encouragement – Use words that build up, not tear down.
- Pause before speaking – Reflect if your words bring healing or harm.
- Walk away from gossip – Don’t feed division with your presence.
- Memorize Scripture – Verses like Psalm 141:3 help keep your lips pure.
Our Thoughts On What the Bible Says About Talking Badly About Someone
Speaking badly about others is not simply a bad habit—it’s a spiritual issue. According to the Bible, words are a reflection of the heart. Gossip, slander, and lies invite division and weaken our witness as Christians.
But there is hope. Through repentance and grace, God offers the strength to change. With faith and wisdom, we can turn from careless words and instead use our speech to encourage, bless, and reflect Christ’s love.
Say This Prayer
Lord, forgive me for every time I’ve spoken badly about someone. Cleanse my heart and help me guard my tongue. Teach me to use words that heal, not hurt. Give me wisdom to speak truth in love, and courage to bless instead of curse. May my speech honor You in all things. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Conclusion
Talking badly about someone can damage trust and relationships. The Bible verses on talking badly about someone. Gossip, slander, and careless speech not only hurt others but also affect our walk with God. Choosing healing words instead of harmful ones shows wisdom, kindness, and love.
When you guard your tongue, you guard your heart and protect your relationships. Scripture calls us to speak life, not curses, and to use words that build up instead of tear down. Living with grace, truth, and mercy in speech honors God and blesses others. Let your words reflect faith and bring encouragement, healing, and peace wherever you go.
