35 Bible Verses On Talking Bad About Someone

Bible verses on talking bad about someone reveal God’s heart for how we treat others with our words. Speaking negatively about people isn’t just poor etiquette—it’s a spiritual issue that affects your character, relationships, and walk with the Lord. 

Throughout scripture, we’re reminded that our tongue holds incredible power. It can build up or tear down, heal or harm. When we engage in gossip, slander, or malicious speech, we’re stepping into territory God explicitly warns against. 

You’ve probably experienced the sting of someone disparaging your name or spreading rumors behind your back. It hurts, doesn’t it? That’s exactly why biblical wisdom calls us to guard our mouth and choose words that reflect love and kindness instead of bitterness or resentment.

Understanding what the Bible says about negative talk matters because our words shape not only how others see us but also how we honor God. Whether it’s backbiting, spreading false testimony, or simply being critical, these behaviors create destruction in our community and damage the fellowship God intends for His people. 

The Christian life demands more than just avoiding outright wickedness—it requires intentional effort to speak with integrity and respect. Every time you’re tempted to criticize or condemn someone, remember that your lips are meant to be instruments of grace. 

Let’s explore what Jesus and the broader teachings of scripture reveal about this crucial topic, and discover how we can transform our communication to reflect God’s righteousness and holiness.

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35 Bible Verses On Talking Bad About Someone

Ephesians 4:29 – Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Proverbs 16:28 – A forward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separated chief friends.

James 4:11 – Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judged the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

Proverbs 11:13 – A talebearer revealed secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealed the matter.

Psalm 101:5 – Whoso privily slandered his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.

James 1:26 – If any man among you seems to be religious, and bridled not his tongue, but deceived his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

Matthew 12:36 – But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

Colossians 3:8 – But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

Titus 3:2 – To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

Proverbs 20:19 – He that goth about as a talebearer revealed secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattered with his lips.

Psalm 34:13 – Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

Proverbs 26:20 – Where no wood is, there the fire goth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceased.

Leviticus 19:16 – Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD.

1 Peter 3:10 – For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

Proverbs 10:18 – He that hadeeth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttered a slander, is a fool.

Romans 1:29–30 – Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

James 3:5–6 – Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasted great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindled! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defiled the whole body, and sestet on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

Proverbs 21:23 – Whoso keepnet his mouth and his tongue keepnet his soul from troubles.

Psalm 15:1–3 – LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walked uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbitten not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.

Ecclesiastes 10:12 – The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.

Proverbs 18:8 – The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

2 Corinthians 12:20 – For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envying's, wraths, strife's, backbiting's, whisperings, swellings, tumults:

Matthew 15:18–19 – But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

1 Timothy 5:13 – And they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

Proverbs 6:16–19 – These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that devised wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

Luke 6:45 – A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brength forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brength forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

Galatians 5:14–15 – For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed by one of another.

Proverbs 12:18 – There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

Psalm 141:3 – Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

Micah 6:8 – He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

Zechariah 8:16–17 – These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates: And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saithe the LORD.

Proverbs 17:9 – He that covered a transgression speaketh love; but he that repeated a matter separated very friends.

Matthew 5:22 – But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Race, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

Proverbs 15:4 – A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

James 3:9–10 – Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceeded blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

Our Thoughts On What the Bible Says About Talking Badly About Someone

When we examine what the Bible says about talking badly about someone, it becomes clear that this isn’t a minor issue—it strikes at the heart of Christian behaviour and our call to love our neighbour. 

God’s teaching throughout both Old and New Testaments consistently emphasizes the importance of guarding our tongue and choosing words that uplift rather than tear down. 

Gossip and slander don’t just harm the person being discussed; they reveal something deeper about our own character and spiritual health. 

When you engage in negative speech, you’re essentially playing judge, jury, and executioner over someone’s reputation, which directly contradicts Jesus’s command to love others as ourselves. 

The damage caused by careless or malicious talk can ripple through relationships, fracture fellowship, and even divide entire communities or church bodies. What’s particularly sobering is that scripture connects our speech directly to our heart condition and our obedience to God. 

If you’re a believer seeking righteousness and holiness, your mouth must reflect that commitment. The Lord offers guidance and wisdom on this matter precisely because He understands human nature—we’re prone to sin through gossip, judgment, and criticism. 

However, God also provides a path forward through repentance and forgiveness. His grace and mercy enable us to change our behaviour and develop purity and integrity in how we communicate. 

The Holy Spirit offers strength and conviction to help you guard your lips and choose kindness, compassion, and truth instead. When we align our communication with biblical ethics and morality, we honour God and become agents of healing rather than harm in our community.

Say This Prayer

Heavenly Father, I come before You with a heart that needs cleansing and transformation. I confess that I’ve allowed my tongue to become an instrument of harm rather than healing. 

Forgive me, Lord, for the times I’ve engaged in gossip, slander, and negative speech that damaged relationships and hurt others. I acknowledge that my words have power, and I’ve misused that power through criticism, judgment, and malicious talk. 

Jesus, I need Your grace and mercy to change my behavior and purify my mouth. Help me guard my lips and exercise discipline over what I say about others, especially when I’m tempted to speak badly or spread rumors.

Holy Spirit, I ask for Your strength and guidance to renew my mind and heart. Give me wisdom to recognize when I’m stepping into sin through my communication, and conviction that leads to genuine repentance. 

Restore what I’ve broken through careless words, and help me seek forgiveness from those I’ve wronged. Transform me into someone who reflects Your righteousness, holiness, and love in every conversation. 

Teach me kindness, compassion, and humility so that my speech builds up rather than tears down. I commit to obedience and faithfulness in this area, trusting in Your promise of blessing and peace when I align my tongue with Your will. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

Frequently Asked Question

What does the Bible say about gossip?

The Bible condemns gossip as sin, warning that spreading rumors and secrets with your tongue damages relationships and displeases God.

Is talking bad about others a sin?

Yes, talking bad about others is considered sin and evil in scripture, viewed as immoral, wrong, and a serious transgression.

Which verses warn against slander?

Multiple verses in the Bible warn against slander and defamation, offering caution about making false accusations and prohibiting such speech.

Does the Bible promote kind speech?

Absolutely, the Bible strongly promotes kind speech, encouraging gentle, loving, compassionate words that provide encouragement and edification to believers.

What happens if we speak badly?

When you speak badly, scripture warns of serious consequences including God’s judgment, punishment, damaged relationships, and spiritual accountability before the Lord.