The Bible calls a gossip a talebearer or whisperer. God commands, "Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people" (Leviticus 19:16), and Proverbs warns, "A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter" (Proverbs 11:13). Gossip hurts: "The words of a talebearer are as wounds" (Proverbs 18:8).
Gossip is sharing private or damaging information about someone who is not there to answer. The King James Version uses older words for it: talebearer, whisperer, tattler, busybody and backbiter. These twelve verses show what gossip is, the harm it does, and how to stop. Office breakrooms, group chats and holiday tables all give it chances, so the last group is practical. For the power of words in general, see the tongue; for honesty, see lying.
What the Bible calls gossip
1. 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."
God placed this command in the same passage that says thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself (Leviticus 19:18). Gossip is a failure to love the person being talked about.
2. Proverbs 11:13
"A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter."
A talebearer reveals secrets; a faithful spirit keeps them. Keeping a confidence is a mark of a trustworthy friend. See being faithful.
3. 1 Timothy 5:13
"And withal 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."
Paul describes idle people going from house to house as tattlers and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. Gossip often grows where there is too much free time and too little purpose.
4. Proverbs 20:19
"He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips."
Because a talebearer reveals secrets, Proverbs says not to keep close company with a flatterer. Someone who gossips to you will likely gossip about you.
The harm gossip does
5. Proverbs 18:8
"The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly."
Gossip goes down easily, like a tasty bite, but it wounds deeply. Proverbs 26:22 repeats the same words, a sign of how seriously Scripture takes it.
6. Psalms 101:5
"Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer."
King David promised that he would not tolerate secret slander in his court. Leaders, parents and managers can follow his example by refusing to listen to whispers about others.
7. 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, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:"
Paul feared he would find backbitings and whisperings in the church at Corinth, listed with strife and envy. Gossip divides churches as surely as open conflict does. See unity.
8. Galatians 5:15
"But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another."
Paul warns that people who bite and devour one another end up consumed. Gossip harms the speaker and the listeners as well as the person talked about.
How to stop gossip
9. Proverbs 25:9
"Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:"
Instead of telling others, take the matter to the person directly, and do not reveal someone else's secret. Jesus gives the same first step in Matthew 18:15. See broken relationships.
10. Titus 3:2
"To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men."
Speak evil of no man is a simple rule for every conversation. Paul pairs it with gentleness and meekness toward all, including people we disagree with.
11. 1 Peter 2:1
"Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,"
Peter tells believers to lay aside evil speakings along with malice, guile, hypocrisy and envy, like taking off old clothes. Gossip is often a symptom of envy underneath.
12. Psalms 39:1
"I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me."
David decided ahead of time to keep his mouth with a bridle. Deciding before the family dinner or the staff meeting that you will not join in gossip makes it much easier to stay quiet.
A short prayer
Lord, set a guard over my mouth. Forgive me for the times I have repeated what I should have kept, or listened when I should have walked away. Give me a faithful spirit that keeps confidences, courage to speak to people instead of about them, and words that build others up. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Go deeper: a SOAP study prompt
Pick one verse above and write: - Scripture: copy the verse by hand. - Observation: what does it say? Who is speaking, to whom? - Application: what does it mean for you today? - Prayer: turn it into a two-line prayer.
New to this method? See our Bible study guide or pick a Bible reading plan.
Download our free SOAP study page · Pray before you speak with the 30-Day Prayer Journal · Memorize a verse about your words with the Scripture Memory Cards
Frequently asked questions
Is gossip a sin in the Bible?
Yes. Paul lists whisperers and backbiters among the sins of a world that turned away from God (Romans 1:29-30), and Leviticus 19:16 forbids being a talebearer. Like every sin, gossip can be confessed and forgiven, and the habit can change with God's help.
What does the Bible say about people who gossip about you?
Proverbs says, "where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth" (Proverbs 26:20), so do not feed the fire. Answer gently, talk directly with the person if it is safe and wise, and leave your reputation with God. Jesus said, "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you" (Matthew 5:11) for His sake.
How do I respond when someone starts gossiping to me?
You can change the subject, say something kind about the person, or ask, Have you talked to them about this? Proverbs 25:23 says an angry countenance drives away a backbiting tongue; a calm, serious face often ends gossip quickly. Teens facing group-chat gossip can find more help on Bible verses for teens.
Is it gossip to share a prayer request about someone?
It can be. Before sharing, ask whether the person would want it shared, whether the listener can help, and whether you are telling the truth kindly. When in doubt, pray privately or ask permission first. See praying for others.
Reporting abuse, a safety concern or a crime to a parent, pastor, employer or the authorities is not gossip. If someone is in danger, call 911.
Sources: All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), public domain in the United States. References were checked against the KJV text from bible-api.com.
Related: Bible verses about the tongue · Bible verses about lying · Bible verses about judgment · Bible verses about friendship · Bible verses about unity · Bible verses about being faithful · Bible verses for teens
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