What Does The Bible Say About Gossip And Slander?
The Bible is full of warnings against gossip and slander, with the gospels of both Matthew and Paul noting that “Whoever gossips reveals secrets, but one who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a secret” (Proverbs 11:13). Similarly, the New Testament warns that disparaging remarks about one’s fellowman should be avoided: “Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin” (Proverbs 13:3).
We are expected to strive to be models of grace and forgiveness, and to refrain from malicious rumors and gossip that can tear people down. Jesus also stated that it is hypocritical to judge others harshly, while expecting leniency for our own flaws: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged” (Matthew 7:1). It’s essential to take personal responsibility for our words. As we diligently read Proverbs 18:8, “The words of a gossip are like tasty morsels; they go down to a person’s inmost parts”, we should become aware of the toxicity of gossip and malicious rumors, and have compassion and restrain our tongues.
Though gossip and slander can appear harmless, it can cause long lasting damage on the reputation of the person being discussed and can have a profoundly negative effect on their life. Gossiping can lead to strained relationships and difficulties at work and leads us away from our sense of integrity. The Bible speaks of the dangers of gossip, urging us to avoid it.
The Apostle Paul commands the Church to “speak only that which is good for edification,” and “avoid foolish and ignorant disputes.” There is a great need for us to abide by the golden rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” as it is essential to practice righteous behavior not just when convenient, but also in times of conflict and misunderstanding. As we should always be quick to forgive, we should also be quick to apologize when we have wronged someone.
Temptation can arise to join in on gossip and other idle conversation, yet Scripture encourages us to “avoid it and pass on” (Proverbs 4:14). Similarly, we are taught to “let no corrupt word proceed from your mouth” (Ephesians 4:29). Instead of talking about someone, we should choose to be sources of encouragement and support. The Bible has much to say about gossip and slander, and when we are intentional about protecting our speech, it can have a positive impact in the world around us.
The Effects Of Gossip And Slander
The effects of gossip and slander can be profound and deep-rooted, eventually leading to disharmony and alienation between people. Gossiping is a form of mental abuse and can be more damaging than physical abuse. In a study conducted by the University of British Columbia, researchers found that 44% of people who reported being a victim of gossip experienced depression, 37% experienced anxiety, and 18% experienced social alienation. Gossip can wear away both professional and private relationships, and it can lead to significant distress, reputation damage, and decreased productivity.
Moreover, gossip may breed mistrust and lead to a lack of collaboration and teamwork, uncivil behavior among peers, and lower performance. It is, undoubtedly, the kind of behavior in workplaces that may lead to the deterioration of morale. On the contrary, encouraging positive speech, constructive criticism, and open communication are all indicators of a healthy and productive work environment, free from gossip and slander.
In the digital age, damaging gossip can spread even more quickly, as gossip is harder to contain, even when retracted or disputed. What makes monitoring and dealing with digital gossip especially difficult is that it often involves anonymous posters, making identification and repercussions near impossible. What’s more, such behavior may not technically be illegal, but it is nearly inevitable for such comments to cause damage or harm to the person or organization being discussed.
The Legal Repercussions Of Gossip And Slander
Although the Bible has a lot to say about the dangers of gossip and slander, in our secular societies today, legal ramifications can also be incurred. Libel and slander are actionable as torts in civil courts, and depending on the jurisdiction, can be prosecuted as criminal offenses. Generally speaking, libel is a false and permanent form of defamation, typically in written form, while slander is oral and often temporary, although both may still incur legal consequences.
Furthermore, depending on the jurisdiction, there may be restrictions on what is allowed to be said in the public realm, with legal punishment in place for severe breaches. The basic threshold for such legal reprimand is that the statement made must be false and damaging, in order to be considered defaming.
Although the intention is that the law should protect reputations, in many cases it can backfire and become more damaging, especially when it is a famous person or institution involved, as there may be a lack of restraint in reporting and speculations. Generally speaking, there is also less protection for public figures, as a certain degree of loose discussion about them is tolerable by law.
Wise Speech And Christian Reflection
The Bible has many examples of those who have used their tongues to edify, to bless and to encourage one another. From the Holy Writer who proclaims truth about God and his plans for eternity, to the New Testament authors who agree to have public debates with reasonable and biblical arguments, we have clear images of what wise and Godly speech looks like. We are urged to think before we speak and be purposeful in the language we use. Likewise, gossip and slander should be avoided, and when mistakes are made, they should be humbly and lovingly corrected.
Christians are called to strive for holiness, walking in a manner worthy of the Lord (Ephesians 4:1), and refraining from slander and gossip. Moreover, reflection on oneself is also essential, and it is wise to consider how our words affect a situation before speaking. Our tongues have the potential to be vehicles of blessing or destruction, so it is important to speak responsibly and appropriately. Our words and our conversations will ultimately determine the kind of relationships we have and the kind of examples we set.
The Power Of Our Tongues
The power of our tongues should not be taken lightly. It is conviction, confession, and hope that have the power to mend or break relationships. Sincere and honest words have the capacity to renew, heal and even make a person or a situation whole again. St. Francis de Sales wrote, “Speak little and with discretion, for a word has power to plunge a man into destruction,” and we can find comfort in the wisdom of Scripture. It is never too late to turn away from gossip and malicious talk.
The Bible calls us to be vessels of grace and kindness, and to speak words of encouragement and love. No matter our differences, we can always strive to act wisely and be examples of refrained and responsible words. Just as we forgive others and work to restore relationships, let us be mindful of our speech and endeavor to act towards greatness and righteousness.
Love One Another
Ultimately, the Bible encourages us to love one another and to employ wisdom when speaking. By choosing to guard our mouths and by beaming with acts of courtesy and compassion, we can be the salt and the light of the world. Those who love the Lord and those around them should be those that lead the example and set the precedent for grace and holiness.
As we make an effort to practice the wisdom of Scripture and weigh our words with respect, not only can we maintain healthy relationships, but we can also be catalysts in the revival of hope and reconciliation that the world needs today. Every subtle whisper carries weight, conveying truth, or falsehood, and ultimately, it is our call as Christ’s followers to edify and build up each other in love.
Refrain From Judging And Criticizing
The Bible also cautions us against judging others, and urges us to focus on our own shortcomings before pointing out those of others. We are called to operate in love and humility, and to be more tolerant of the mistakes and flaws of others. If we truly want to be good neighbors and faithful followers of Christ, we must strive to be open-minded and tolerant of life’s imperfections.
One of the great evils of gossip and slander is that it allows someone to think highly of themselves, as if their words have the power to correct or correct the flaws of someone else. Instead, let us all strive to be humble and think the best of one another, no matter our differences. After all, “love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8).
Godly Character
God never tires of reminding us to live our lives with humility and respect, not just for the people around us, but also for ourselves. We must be mindful of how we speak, for our words have the power to positively or negatively impact the people around us and our relationship with God. We all have the potential to set examples that are pleasing to Him, and our words are no exception. A Godly character speaks through our mouths, in every situation, and with every interaction.
The Bible has strong warnings against gossip and slander, reminding us of the importance of letting our yes be yes and our no be no. With such emotional and spiritual power, our speech should be the truth and the truth in love and wisdom. Making a conscious effort to speak respectfully and wisely, and not participating in gossip, slander, and false reports, can have a great impact in our lives and the lives of those around us.
