Today we will talk about bible verses about slandering others. Many Christians do not know what this means. Be on the mode of meditation as we read through God’s word. Slander is speech that harms another person’s good name. It moves like a shadow through friendships, families, and churches. When we read the Bible together, we find clear instruction and wise guidance about how our words can hurt or heal. In these passages we learn both the seriousness of false speech and the hope we have to change. We will look at passages that tell us not to bear false witness, to guard our tongues, and to speak with love. We will also learn how to respond when we are slandered, how to confront sin gently, and how to build peace. As we go through these bible verses about slandering others, let us open our hearts to honest change. We want our talk to lift others up, not tear them down. Let us read, reflect, and ask God to help us turn our speech toward truth, kindness, and grace.
bible verses about slandering others
The sin of slander and false witness
We come together to name slander as the hurtful thing it is. In these bible verses about slandering others we see that lying about someone or spreading false stories damages people and community. We want to understand why God treats false witness so seriously. Slander steals a person’s dignity, divides friends, and ruins trust. As a group, we admit how easy it is to repeat things without checking, and we ask God to make us faithful. These verses remind us that to speak falsehood against a neighbor is not just a mistake — it is forbidden. We learn that slander is tied to discord and that gossip can become lawless behavior in a community. We also see that God knows who is slandering and what they do in secret. Knowing this, we are encouraged to turn from such ways, to protect our neighbors, and to seek justice when someone is harmed by lies. We intend to grow in honesty, to guard our speech, and to build a place where truth and kindness lead the way.
Exodus 20:16
“Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.” – Exodus 20:16
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.” – Leviticus 19:16
Proverbs 6:19
“A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” – Proverbs 6:19
Psalm 50:20
“Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother’s son.” – Psalm 50:20
Psalm 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.” – Psalm 101:5
bible verses about slandering others
Guarding our tongues
We know that our words can build up or break down. In these bible verses about slandering others we learn practical help to watch our speech. We want to be the kind of people who think before we speak. That means measuring our words, refusing to repeat harmful tales, and learning self-control. The Bible calls the tongue a powerful spark; a little flame can set a whole forest on fire. We, as a group, must be honest about how quickly we speak and how easily we join in gossip. These verses teach us that true religion includes holding back harmful talk. When we guard our tongues, we protect relationships and reflect God’s kindness. We ask God to help us bridle our speech, to turn away from idle and angry words, and to let our talk be gentle and helpful. Practicing this will keep us from causing needless pain and will show others that we follow Christ in how we treat people with our mouths.
Psalm 34:13
“Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.” – Psalm 34:13
Proverbs 21:23
“Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.” – Proverbs 21:23
James 1:26
“If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.” – James 1:26
James 3:5
“Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!” – James 3:5
James 3:6
“And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.” – James 3:6
bible verses about slandering others
The damage of gossip
We do not like to watch friends break apart, yet gossip can do that quietly. These bible verses about slandering others show how gossip hurts people like a wound. Gossip spreads like a disease: a whispered word grows, and it reaches places we never meant. We want to understand how ordinary talk can become a tool to harm. The Proverbs poems often describe talebearers and whisperers who separate close friends and cause trouble in homes and towns. When we study these verses, we see clear examples of how gossip cuts deeply and then settles inside a person. Instead of passing on rumors, we choose to stop the spread. We will aim to be faithful with secrets, to speak kindly, and to refuse to join in talk that breaks trust. As we do this, we protect our friends and show Christ’s love by keeping what is private, being honest, and choosing peace over sensation.
Proverbs 10:18
“He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.” – Proverbs 10:18
Proverbs 11:13
“A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.” – Proverbs 11:13
Proverbs 18:8
“The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.” – Proverbs 18:8
Proverbs 20:19
“He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.” – Proverbs 20:19
Proverbs 26:20
“Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.” – Proverbs 26:20
bible verses about slandering others
Wisdom versus talebearing
We want to choose wisdom over the quick thrills of gossip. These bible verses about slandering others teach us to prefer wise, calming speech to words that stir trouble. The wise person knows when to be quiet, when to keep secrets, and how to bring healing instead of harm. When we follow wisdom, we do not stir up fights, and we do not repeat things that will drive friends apart. The Proverbs imagery shows that some words pierce like swords while wise speech brings health. We choose the path that keeps love and peace in our circle. As a group, we will practice listening, keeping confidences, and speaking in ways that repair rather than wreck relationships. We also remember that revealing a secret can sometimes be right, but wisdom guides when to speak and when to stay silent. By following these lessons, we protect our community and show a gentle heart that honors God.
Proverbs 12:18
“There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.” – Proverbs 12:18
Proverbs 16:28
“A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.” – Proverbs 16:28
Proverbs 17:9
“He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.” – Proverbs 17:9
Proverbs 26:22
“The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.” – Proverbs 26:22
Proverbs 25:9
“Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another.” – Proverbs 25:9
bible verses about slandering others
Speaking truth in love
We want our words to be true and kind at the same time. These bible verses about slandering others help us learn how to correct wrongs without slandering. The Bible asks us to avoid corrupt talk and instead speak words that build people up. That means telling truth in gentle ways, giving correction when it is needed, and answering others with grace. Speaking truth in love is not easy. It calls for courage and care. We must avoid the posture of a judge who delights in exposing others, and instead be humble and helpful. God gives us ways to answer questions, to encourage, and to restore. When we put these verses into practice, our truth-telling becomes a bridge to healing, not a weapon. We choose to correct privately when possible, to seek peace, and to supply answers that come from a heart of love.
Ephesians 4:29
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” – Ephesians 4:29
Colossians 4:6
“Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” – Colossians 4:6
Zechariah 8:16
“These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates.” – Zechariah 8:16
1 Corinthians 13:5
“Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;” – 1 Corinthians 13:5
Matthew 18:15
“Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.” – Matthew 18:15
bible verses about slandering others
Responding to slander with grace
When someone says wrong things about us, our first move is not always to attack back. These bible verses about slandering others teach us to respond with faith and grace. Jesus says blessed are those who are falsely accused for doing right. He asks us to love those who hate, to bless those who curse, and to pray for those who hurt us. That is hard, but it stops the cycle of revenge and keeps us from becoming what we do not want to be. We also remember the golden rule: treat others as we wish to be treated. When we do this, we show the world a better way. These verses help us hold fast to truth while not returning evil for evil. We will practice praying for those who slander, seeking God’s help to stay calm, and trusting God’s justice rather than our own retaliation.
Matthew 5:11
“Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.” – Matthew 5:11
Matthew 5:44
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” – Matthew 5:44
Luke 6:31
“And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” – Luke 6:31
John 7:24
“Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” – John 7:24
1 John 4:20
“If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” – 1 John 4:20
bible verses about slandering others
Accountability and judgment for our words
We must understand that our words are not empty. In these bible verses about slandering others we see that God notices everything we say. Jesus warned that we will give an account for idle words. That is both sobering and freeing. It means our speech matters before God. We should not use this to live in fear, but to live with care. The Bible also warns against judging others unfairly and speaking ill of them. As we learn this, we accept responsibility for what we say. We will stop slandering, stop judging, and stop stirring up strife. Instead, we choose to speak truth, pray for wisdom, and offer apologies when we have failed. Keeping this accountability before God helps us become people who build rather than destroy.
Matthew 12:36
“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” – Matthew 12:36
Matthew 12:37
“For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” – Matthew 12:37
James 4:11
“Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.” – James 4:11
2 Corinthians 12:20
“For I fear that, 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: that there may be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:” – 2 Corinthians 12:20
2 Timothy 3:3
“Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,” – 2 Timothy 3:3
bible verses about slandering others
Putting off slander — renewal
We want to change—putting off old ways and putting on Christ. These bible verses about slandering others call us to remove anger, bitterness, and evil talk. Putting off slander is part of the new life God gives us. We must replace gossip with kindness, malice with meekness, and blame with humility. The New Testament often lists speech among the things we should leave behind. That shows how central words are to holiness. We will practice honest confession, gentle correction, and consistent prayer to help this change. When we deliberately put away harmful speech and choose words that heal, we become more like Jesus. This renewal helps us live in communities that reflect God’s heart and keep people safe from hurtful talk.
Ephesians 4:31
“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:” – Ephesians 4:31
Colossians 3:8
“But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.” – Colossians 3:8
Titus 3:2
“To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.” – Titus 3:2
Galatians 5:15
“But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.” – Galatians 5:15
James 3:8
“But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” – James 3:8
bible verses about slandering others
Practical steps — confrontation and reconciliation
We want clear steps to handle harm without adding slander. These bible verses about slandering others give both correction and heart work. We are told to stop judging one another and to avoid putting stumblingblocks in others’ paths. We should lay aside malice and ugly talk, and instead aim for forgiveness and right living. The Bible points us to private, careful correction when someone sins, and warns against being busybodies who spread tales. We want to be agents of peace who look for ways to mend what is broken. That means confronting with humility, listening well, and seeking restoration rather than revenge. It may also mean watching for the root of bitterness and removing it early, before it grows into more harm. We promise to follow these steps so our community can heal and be safe for everyone.
Romans 14:13
“Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.” – Romans 14:13
1 Peter 2:1
“Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envying, and all evil speakings,” – 1 Peter 2:1
1 Peter 3:10
“For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile.” – 1 Peter 3:10
1 Peter 4:15
“But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.” – 1 Peter 4:15
Hebrews 12:15
“Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;” – Hebrews 12:15
bible verses about slandering others
Living transformed — reject slander and love
We want our lives to match what God asks. These bible verses about slandering others help us see the heart beneath the words. Backbiting, slander, and deceit come from a heart not at peace. The Bible warns that what comes out of the mouth comes from the heart. If a person speaks lies or acts with the spirit of the devil, we should resist that way and choose truth. We are reminded not to curse leaders in secret, for words travel farther than we think. Instead, we should love our neighbors, guard our hearts, and keep our speech clean. When we do that, we live out a life that honors God and helps those around us. This is our aim: to be people who protect names, speak truth, and act in love every day.
Psalm 15:3
“He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.” – Psalm 15:3
Matthew 15:18
“But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.” – Matthew 15:18
John 8:44
“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” – John 8:44
Romans 1:29
“Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,” – Romans 1:29
Ecclesiastes 10:20
“Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.” – Ecclesiastes 10:20
Final Thoughts
I have shared a collection of bible verses about slandering others so we can learn, grow, and change. We see that God calls us to guard our tongues, to reject gossip, and to speak truth with grace. We also learn how to respond when we are hurt and how to seek repair and peace instead of revenge.
We can choose to become people who protect names, who keep confidences, and who bring healing with our words. Let us ask God to help us put away slander and to put on kindness and patience. When we practice these truths together, our families and churches will be safer places for everyone.
As we walk forward, may we be people who honor God in our speech, who correct gently, and who love loudly. We will do our best to let our words reflect Christ’s heart and to build up rather than break down.
Further Reading
30 Bible Verses About Getting Closer To God (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Removing People From Your Life (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Israel (With Explanation)
30 Bible Verses About Being Lukewarm (With Explanation)
4 Ways to Encounter Grace and Truth: A Study on John, Chapter 4
