What the Bible Says About Gossip

August 16, 2024

We tend to think of gossip as one of those “little” sins. But when God talks about gossip, he puts it on the list with things like sexual immorality and murder. Why? Because it is so destructive to relationships. Gossip can tear apart friendships, families, and churches.

What is gossip? It’s when you talk about someone behind their back rather than going to that person directly. It’s sharing information about someone with another person who is not part of the problem or the solution. In its essence, gossip is a form of retaliation.

I love these very practical, and kind of blunt truths about gossip from the book of Proverbs:

Proverbs 17:9 “Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.”

Proverbs 16:28 “A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends”

Proverbs 11:13 “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.”

Proverbs 20:19 “A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.”

Proverbs 18:6-7 The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating. The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives.”

We all have people in our lives who exasperate us. They might be demanding, disapproving, or demeaning. Perhaps they’re self-centered and focus every conversation on themselves. Or maybe they just love to argue or complain.

Whatever they do, it drives you over the edge. It makes you want to call up your best friend and say, “You won’t believe what they did!”

In the short term, gossip may make you feel better—but it actually lets the person you’re gossiping about win. It allows that person to control your conversations and emotions.

 Suddenly you’re spending your time talking about that person instead of all the positive things in your own life.

Gossip is incredibly destructive too. It separates close friends. It can even destroy your life. But you don’t have to let it. It’s your choice not to gossip—and to instead choose to bless the other person.

The Bible says in 1 Peter 3:9, “Do not do wrong to repay a wrong, and do not insult to repay an insult. But repay with a blessing, because you yourselves were called to do this so that you might receive a blessing” (NCV).

You can gossip and miss out on God’s blessing.

Or you can choose to have positive conversations and use words that lift others up. In doing so, you will receive God’s blessing in your life.

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.”

As Christ followers, we are to be set apart. We are called to be peace-makers, not gossips. We are called to unify. Gossip is the opposite of unity. And, one day, we as believers, will have to give an account before the Lord for every idle word we speak.

Matthew 12:36, "And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak."

None of us are perfect, and God offers forgiveness, but I don't know about you... but I want my list of idle words to be pretty short when I stand before the Lord. Bottom line is: God cares about what you say about people.

When you are tempted to gossip or even join-in a conversation where someone else is gossiping, I encourage you to pray this verse to God…

Proverbs 19:14 says, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.”