# What does the Bible say about gossip? > What the Bible says about gossip — verses on a whisperer who separates friends, speech that builds up, and a tongue that can start a fire, plus one next step. Source: https://www.lumin.faith/what-the-bible-says-about/gossip By Andrew Kittridge, Founder of Lumin · August 29, 2026 · Updated October 2, 2026 Verses are chosen for the question being asked. Scripture on this site is quoted from the Lumin Translation, the same text as the public reader and the iPhone Bible tab: Lumin’s own translation, drafted with AI from the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, checked verse by verse against them, and approved by Lumin. Glosses in answers are original summaries, not a second Bible. Open the named passage; AI is not the interpreter. [How we cite Scripture](https://www.lumin.faith/about#how-we-cite) Gossip in Scripture is not harmless talk. A whisperer separates friends; corrupting speech tears down; the tongue can set a forest on fire. The Bible treats words as moral acts. Love covers. It does not traffic in someone else’s shame for entertainment or status. - [Ask with Scripture you can open](https://www.lumin.faith/ask.md) - [Make room to pray](https://www.lumin.faith/pray.md) ## Bible verses about gossip - **[Proverbs 16:28](https://www.lumin.faith/read/proverbs/16#28)** — A dishonest person spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends. - **[Ephesians 4:29](https://www.lumin.faith/read/ephesians/4#29)** — Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouth, but only what is useful for building up. - **[James 3:5-6](https://www.lumin.faith/read/james/3#5)** — The tongue is a small member that boasts; it is a fire that can set the whole course of life ablaze. - **[Proverbs 11:13](https://www.lumin.faith/read/proverbs/11#13)** — A gossip goes around revealing secrets, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence. - **[Proverbs 26:20](https://www.lumin.faith/read/proverbs/26#20)** — Without wood a fire goes out, and without a gossip a quarrel dies down. - **[Proverbs 20:19](https://www.lumin.faith/read/proverbs/20#19)** — A gossip betrays a confidence, so avoid someone who talks too much. - **[Leviticus 19:16](https://www.lumin.faith/read/leviticus/19#16)** — Do not go around spreading slander among your people. - **[Matthew 18:15](https://www.lumin.faith/read/matthew/18#15)** — If someone sins against you, go and talk to them privately first. ## Highlighted verse > Let no rotten talk come out of your mouths, but only what is good for building up as the need arises, so that it may give grace to those who hear. > > — Ephesians 4:29 (Lumin Translation) ## Reflection Gossip often disguises itself as concern. The test is simple: would this sentence still be spoken if the person walked in? If a real offense needs truth, go to them — do not workshop their name. If you have already passed a story along, repentance is concrete: stop, and where you can, repair. ## One next step The next time a story about someone who is not present begins, refuse to add to it. If you have already spoken, name it to God and to the person you harmed. ## FAQ ### What is a key Bible verse about gossip? Proverbs 16:28: a whisperer separates close friends. Ephesians 4:29 says let no rotten talk come out of your mouths, only what is good for building up. James 3 warns that the tongue can set a forest on fire. ### How should Christians respond to gossip? Refuse to pass it on, change the subject, or go to the person if a real offense needs truth. If you have already spoken, repent to the one you harmed. Love covers; it does not traffic in someone else’s shame. ### Is sharing a prayer request gossip? It can be, when the story is richer than the prayer and the person never agreed to be discussed. Ask permission, keep details scarce, and do not enjoy the damage. ## Related questions - [What does the Bible say about friendship?](https://www.lumin.faith/what-the-bible-says-about/friendship.md) - [What does the Bible say about anger?](https://www.lumin.faith/what-the-bible-says-about/anger.md) - [What does the Bible say about love?](https://www.lumin.faith/what-the-bible-says-about/love.md) ## Related guides - [Ask with Scripture you can open](https://www.lumin.faith/ask.md) - [Make room to pray](https://www.lumin.faith/pray.md) --- Ask, Bible Coach, Pray, and Sermon Week are the four jobs in Lumin. The app is for iPhone and iPad. App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lumin-bible-ai-companion/id6754889412 Ask on the web: https://www.lumin.faith/app Browse answers: https://www.lumin.faith/answers.md