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    In Context

    What Does the Bible Say About Gossip — In Biblical Context

    The Bible strongly condemns gossip as destructive, calling it a fire that separates friends and warning that the tongue holds the power of life and death.

    Quick Answer

    The Bible strongly condemns gossip as destructive, calling it a fire that separates friends and warning that the tongue holds the power of life and death.

    "A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends." — Proverbs 16:28 (KJV)

    The Biblical Context

    Scripture consistently warns against gossip and tale-bearing. Proverbs 16:28 says 'a whisperer separateth chief friends.' Proverbs 18:8 notes that gossip's words are like wounds that go deep. James 3:5-8 describes the tongue as a small fire that can set a whole forest ablaze—'an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.' Paul lists gossip among the sins of the unrighteous (Romans 1:29) and told Titus older women should not be 'false accusers' (Titus 2:3). The antidote to gossip is speaking truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), building others up (Ephesians 4:29), and going directly to someone who has offended you (Matthew 18:15) rather than talking about them to others.

    Where It Sits in Scripture

    The core passage for this question, Proverbs 16:28, sits inside Proverbs 16. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.

    "A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends."
    — Proverbs 16:28 (KJV)

    Supporting Passages

    Proverbs 18:21
    "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."
    Ephesians 4:29
    "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying."

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