Backbiting is a subtle yet destructive behavior that can silently tear relationships, families, and even churches apart. In Scripture, it’s not taken lightly. The Bible speaks directly to the dangers of gossip, slander, and speaking ill of others behind their backs. Whether you’re dealing with the effects of backbiting or want to guard your own tongue, the Word of God offers timeless wisdom and correction.
In this post, we’ll highlight 40 powerful Bible verses about backbiting, provide insight on what the Bible says about it, and examine how it affects the church.
What Does the Bible Say About Backbiting?
Backbiting is often tied to gossip, slander, and deceit. The Bible consistently condemns this kind of behavior, warning us of its spiritual consequences. It reveals the heart’s condition and shows a lack of love and integrity.
Here are some key points Scripture makes about backbiting:
- It is sinful and displeases God (Romans 1:30).
- It causes division and destruction (Proverbs 16:28).
- It stems from a heart that lacks love and truth (Matthew 12:34-37).
- It reveals a lack of spiritual maturity (James 3:5-10).
The Bible teaches believers to speak truth in love, edify one another, and avoid speaking evil of others. Guarding the tongue is a major theme in Scripture because our words carry power.
Effects of Backbiting in the Church
Backbiting within the church is particularly harmful. The church is meant to be a haven of peace, love, accountability, and support. However, when backbiting enters, it causes:
- It Destroys Unity: The early church in Acts thrived on unity and mutual support. Backbiting disrupts that harmony, fostering division and mistrust among members.
- It Discourages Spiritual Growth: New believers and long-time members alike can become disheartened by negative talk, causing them to pull away from fellowship and even from God.
- It Damages Reputations: A single harmful word can ruin someone’s reputation, even if what’s being said is untrue or taken out of context.
- It Grieves the Holy Spirit: Backbiting goes against the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Instead of love, peace, and kindness, it promotes bitterness and hostility.
- It Hinders Ministry: When trust breaks down due to gossip or slander, ministries can suffer. Teamwork falters, and the mission of the church is compromised.
These consequences show why it’s important for churches to take a strong stance against backbiting and encourage accountability, forgiveness, and open communication.
40 Powerful Bible Verses About Backbiting
Below are 40 powerful Bible verses about backbiting, organized to reflect what Scripture teaches about the tongue, slander, and speaking truth.
Old Testament Bible Verses
1. 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.”
2. 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.”
3. Proverbs 10:18 “Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool.”
4. Proverbs 11:13 “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.”
5. Proverbs 16:28 “A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.”
6. Proverbs 18:8 “The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.”
7. Proverbs 20:19 “A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.”
8. Psalm 15:1-3 “…The one whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others.”
9. Psalm 101:5 “Whoever slanders their neighbor in secret, I will put to silence…”
10. Jeremiah 9:4 “Beware of your friends; do not trust anyone in your clan. For every one of them is a deceiver, and every friend a slanderer.”
New Testament Bible Verses
11. Romans 1:29-30 “They have become filled with every kind of wickedness… they are gossips, slanderers, God-haters…”
12. 2 Corinthians 12:20 “For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find… quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.”
13. Ephesians 4:29 “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up…”
14. Ephesians 4:31 “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”
15. 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.”
16. 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…”
17. Titus 3:2 “To slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.”
18. James 1:26 “Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves…”
19. James 3:5-6 “The tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts… it is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body.”
20. James 4:11 “Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another…”
Additional Bible Verses About the Tongue and Gossip
21. 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.”
22. Luke 6:45 “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart… for the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”
23. Proverbs 12:18 “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
24. Proverbs 13:3 “Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.”
25. Proverbs 21:23 “Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.”
26. Psalm 34:13 “Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.”
27. 1 Peter 2:1 “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.”
28. 1 Peter 3:10 “For, ‘Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.’”
29. 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.”
30. Zephaniah 3:13 “They will do no wrong; they will tell no lies. A deceitful tongue will not be found in their mouths.”
Verses on How to Handle Backbiting and Respond
31. Matthew 18:15 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you…”
32. Proverbs 26:20 “Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.”
33. Ecclesiastes 7:21-22 “Do not pay attention to every word people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you…”
34. Galatians 6:1 “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently…”
35. Romans 12:18 “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
36. Hebrews 12:14-15 “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy… See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God…”
37. Proverbs 25:9-10 “If you take your neighbor to court, do not betray another’s confidence…”
38. Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right… think about such things.”
39. Colossians 4:6 “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt…”
40. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
Conclusion
Backbiting is not just a character flaw, it’s a sin that damages relationships and weakens the church. Thankfully, the Bible gives clear guidance on how to avoid it, confront it, and grow in integrity. By meditating on these Bible verses about backbiting, we can learn to guard our speech, build others up, and walk in love.
Let these verses challenge you, convict you, and guide your words and actions. Whether you’re a church leader, a new believer, or someone caught in the trap of gossip, God’s Word provides the correction and healing you need.
If you’ve found this list of Bible verses about backbiting helpful, share it with someone who needs encouragement today.
Read also: 40 Powerful Bible Verses About Babylon