What does the Bible say about slander?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that slander is a sinful misuse of speech that harms neighbors, divides communities, and dishonors the God of truth. Exodus 20:16 forbids false witness, while Proverbs 10:18 and 16:28 warn that concealed hatred and gossip spread conflict. Jesus says in Matthew 12:36 that people will give account for every careless word. James 4:11 forbids speaking evil against fellow believers, and 1 Peter 2:1 calls Christians to put slander away. Believers are instead to speak gently and truthfully, keeping a clear conscience before others, as Titus 3:2 and 1 Peter 3:16 teach. Through repentance and Christ's renewing grace, our words may build up rather than destroy.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Psalms 101:5 4 votes
I will silence whoever secretly slanders his neighbor. I won’t tolerate one who is arrogant and conceited.
- Matthew 12:36 4 votes
I tell you that every idle word that men speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.
- Proverbs 10:18 3 votes
He who hides hatred has lying lips. He who utters a slander is a fool.
- 1 Peter 3:16 3 votes
having a good conscience. Thus, while you are spoken against as evildoers, they may be disappointed who curse your good way of life in Christ.
- James 4:11 3 votes
Don’t speak against one another, brothers. He who speaks against a brother and judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.
- Exodus 20:16 2 votes
“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
- 1 Peter 2:1 2 votes
Putting away therefore all wickedness, all deceit, hypocrisies, envies, and all evil speaking,
- Titus 3:2 2 votes
to speak evil of no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all humility toward all men.
- 2 Timothy 3:1-5 2 votes
But know this: that in the last days, grievous times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, not lovers of good, traitors, headstrong, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding a form of godliness but having denied its power. Turn away from these, also.
- Proverbs 16:28 2 votes
A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends.
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