Levo
Bible verses about gossip, swearing and words
Gossip, lies, cutting words
The lie
It's just words. They don't really matter.
The truth
Words build or break. You'll never regret the hurtful thing you didn't say.
More truth
- If you wouldn't say it to their face, don't say it.
- A small lie still costs trust.
- Silence is often the wisest answer.
Pause
Stop before you say it or send it. Breathe. Ask: is it true, is it kind, is it needed?
My verses
Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.
Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.
When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another.
A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.
In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.
A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless.
Pray
Lord, set a guard over my mouth. Stop me before I gossip, lie or cut someone down. Let my words build people up today and sound like You. Amen.
Your way out
- Don't send it. Save it as a draft and wait an hour.
- Change the subject or walk away from the gossip.
- Say something good about the person instead.
- If you lied, go back and correct it.
- If you hurt someone, say sorry today.
Gossip spreads
Gossip feels like connection but it destroys trust, including people's trust in you. Be the person conversations are safe with.
A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.
Go deeper: Words that build
Five days in the Bible on this, one passage a day.
- A small fire James 3:1-12
- A gentle answer Proverbs 15:1-4
- Words that give grace Ephesians 4:25-29
- From the heart Matthew 12:33-37
- A guard over my mouth Psalm 141:1-4