What does the Bible say about talking about others?
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The Bible teaches that our words about others should be truthful, loving, and aimed at building up rather than spreading harm, gossip, or slander. Ephesians 4:29 calls believers to speak what gives grace to those who hear, while 1 Peter 2:1 tells us to put away malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander. Proverbs 11:13 commends the trustworthy person who keeps a confidence. Jesus' golden rule in Matthew 7:12 guides us to speak of others as we would want them to speak of us. James 1:26 warns that uncontrolled speech reveals empty religion. Because Christ is Lord of every word, Christians should repent of careless talk and pursue honesty, discretion, and peace.
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for building up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear.
- 1 Peter 2:1
Putting away therefore all wickedness, all deceit, hypocrisies, envies, and all evil speaking,
- Matthew 7:12
Therefore whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets.
- Psalms 1:1-6
[1] Blessed is the man who doesn't walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the way of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers; [2] But his delight is in Yahweh's law; On his law he meditates day and night. [3] He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also does not wither. Whatever he does shall prosper. [4] The wicked are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away. [5] Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. [6] For Yahweh knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked shall perish.
- Titus 1:10
For there are also many unruly men, vain talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision,
- James 2:10
For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he has become guilty of all.
- James 1:26
If anyone among you thinks himself to be religious while he doesn't bridle his tongue, but deceives his heart, this man's religion is worthless.
- Matthew 5:33-37
[33] "Again you have heard that it was said to them of old time, 'You shall not make false vows, but shall perform to the Lord your vows,' [34] but I tell you, don't swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God; [35] nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. [36] Neither shall you swear by your head, for you can't make one hair white or black. [37] But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes' and your 'No' be 'no.' Whatever is more than these is of the evil one.
- Proverbs 11:13
One who brings gossip betrays a confidence, But one who is of a trustworthy spirit is one who keeps a secret.
- John 1:7-11
[7] The same came as a witness, that he might testify about the light, that all might believe through him. [8] He was not the light, but was sent that he might testify about the light. [9] The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world. [10] He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world didn't recognize him. [11] He came to his own, and those who were his own didn't receive him.
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