The Nature of Gossip

• Proverbs 16:28 – “A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.”
• Proverbs 26:20 – “Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.”
• Proverbs 20:19 – “A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.”
• Proverbs 11:13 – “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.”
• 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.”
• Proverbs 18:8 – “The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.”
• 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.”
• Proverbs 26:22 – “The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a person’s inmost parts.”
• 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.”
• Titus 3:2 – “To slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.”

Consequences of Gossip

• Proverbs 25:23 – “As a north wind brings rain, so a sly tongue brings angry looks.”
• Proverbs 17:9 – “Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.”
• 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.”
• Proverbs 10:18 – “Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool.”
• Proverbs 18:7 – “The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives.”
• 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.”
• Proverbs 26:17 – “Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own.”
• 2 Corinthians 12:20 – “For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.”
• 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,”
• Proverbs 16:27 – “A scoundrel plots evil, and on their lips it is like a scorching fire.”

Avoiding Gossip

• Ephesians 4:31 – “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”
• 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.”
• Proverbs 21:23 – “Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.”
• James 3:5 – “Likewise, 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.”
• Proverbs 12:18 – “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
• Proverbs 13:3 – “Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.”
• Psalm 34:13 – “Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.”
• Proverbs 4:24 – “Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.”
• Proverbs 15:4 – “The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.”
• Proverbs 17:4 – “A wicked person listens to deceitful lips; a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.”

Wisdom and Speech

• Proverbs 15:2 – “The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.”
• Proverbs 10:19 – “Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.”
• Proverbs 10:31 – “The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out.”
• Proverbs 12:6 – “The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.”
• Proverbs 15:1 – “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
• Proverbs 16:23 – “The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction.”
• Proverbs 18:21 – “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
• Proverbs 29:20 – “Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them.”
• James 3:8 – “But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”
• Proverbs 25:11 – “A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”

Guarding Against Gossip

• Proverbs 22:10 – “Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended.”
• Psalm 141:3 – “Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.”
• Proverbs 30:8 – “Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.”
• Proverbs 19:1 – “Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than one who is perverse in his lips and is a fool.”
• Ephesians 5:4 – “Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.”
• Titus 2:7-8 – “In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.”
• Proverbs 24:26 – “An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.”
• 1 Peter 2:1 – “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.”
• Proverbs 14:25 – “A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful.”
• Proverbs 6:19 – “A false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.”

The Value of Silence and not Gossiping

• Ecclesiastes 3:7 – “A time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,”
• Amos 5:13 – “Therefore the prudent keep quiet in such times, for the times are evil.”
• Proverbs 10:20 – “The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value.”
• Proverbs 11:12 – “Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.”
• Proverbs 17:28 – “Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.”
• James 1:19 – “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,”
• Proverbs 21:23 – “Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.”
• Job 13:5 – “If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom.”
• Proverbs 29:11 – “Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.”
• Ecclesiastes 5:2 – “Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.”

Speaking with Kindness

• Proverbs 15:23 – “A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word!”
• Ephesians 4:15 – “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.”
• Colossians 4:6 – “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
• Proverbs 16:24 – “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
• Proverbs 31:26 – “She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.”
• 1 Thessalonians 5:11 – “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
• Proverbs 12:25 – “Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.”
• Proverbs 16:21 – “The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction.”
• 1 Peter 3:9 – “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
• Proverbs 15:1 – “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

The Impact of Words

• Proverbs 18:4 – “The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.”
• 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.”
• Proverbs 25:15 – “Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.”
• James 3:2 – “We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.”
• Proverbs 29:20 – “Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them.”
• Proverbs 15:28 – “The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.”
• Ecclesiastes 10:12 – “The words of a wise person are gracious, but the lips of a fool will swallow them up.”
• Proverbs 12:19 – “Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.”
• Proverbs 15:4 – “The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.”
• James 3:9-10 – “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.”

Discernment in Speaking

• Proverbs 10:32 – “The lips of the righteous know what finds favor, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.”
• Proverbs 13:2 – “From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things, but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.”
• Proverbs 14:3 – “A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride, but the lips of the wise protect them.”
• Proverbs 15:7 – “The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not upright.”
• Proverbs 17:27 – “The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.”
• Proverbs 20:15 – “Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.”
• Proverbs 23:16 – “My inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.”
• Proverbs 25:12 – “Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.”
• Proverbs 27:2 – “Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.”
• Proverbs 29:5 – “Those who flatter their neighbors are spreading nets for their feet.”

Integrity in Communication

• Proverbs 4:23 – “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
• Proverbs 8:7 – “My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness.”
• Proverbs 8:8 – “All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse.”
• Proverbs 11:3 – “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.”
• Proverbs 11:25 – “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”
• Proverbs 12:22 – “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.”
• Proverbs 13:5 – “The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked make themselves a stench and bring shame on themselves.”
• Proverbs 14:5 – “A truthful witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies.”
• Proverbs 16:13 – “Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value a person who speaks what is right.”
• Proverbs 22:11 – “One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend.”

The Virtue of Silence

• Proverbs 17:9 – “Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.”
• Ecclesiastes 7:9 – “Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.”
• Amos 5:13 – “Therefore, the prudent will keep quiet in such times, for the times are evil.”
• Proverbs 19:11 – “A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”
• Proverbs 20:3 – “It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.”
• Proverbs 25:28 – “Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.”
• Proverbs 29:22 – “An angry person stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.”
• 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.”
• Proverbs 11:12 – “Whoever derides their neighbor lacks sense, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.”
• Proverbs 21:23 – “Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from trouble.”

Wisdom in Choosing Words

• Proverbs 12:18 – “There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
• Proverbs 15:23 – “To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!”
• Proverbs 16:24 – “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”
• Proverbs 18:13 – “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.”
• Proverbs 24:26 – “Whoever gives an honest answer kisses the lips.”
• Proverbs 25:11 – “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.”
• Ecclesiastes 10:12 – “The words of a wise man’s mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.”
• Proverbs 27:9 – “Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.”
• Proverbs 29:11 – “A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.”
• Ecclesiastes 3:7 – “A time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak.”

Truthful Speech

1. Zephaniah 3:13 – “The remnant of Israel will do no wrong; they will speak no lies, nor will deceit be found in their mouths. They will eat and lie down and no one will make them afraid.”
2. Ephesians 4:25 – “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.”
3. Colossians 3:9 – “Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices.”
4. Zechariah 8:16 – “These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts.”
5. Proverbs 12:17 – “An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies.”
6. Proverbs 14:25 – “A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful.”
7. Exodus 20:16 – “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.”
8. Deuteronomy 5:20 – “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.”
9. Proverbs 6:17 – “Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,”
10. Psalm 52:2 – “You who practice deceit, your tongue plots destruction; it is like a sharpened razor.”

Encouraging Others

1. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 – “And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.”
2. Hebrews 3:13 – “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”
3. Romans 14:19 – “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.”
4. Hebrews 10:24 – “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,”
5. 1 Peter 4:10 – “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
6. Ephesians 6:22 – “I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.”
7. Colossians 2:2 – “My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ.”
8. Acts 15:32 – “Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers.”
9. 2 Corinthians 13:11 – “Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.”
10. Romans 1:12 – “That is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.”