The Bible strongly condemns gossip as a sin that harms relationships and reputations. The Bible describes gossips as untrustworthy, meddlesome, and worthy of death.
Bible verses about gossip:
- Proverbs 16:27 A worthless person digs up evil,
While his words are like scorching fire.
28 A perverse person spreads strife,
And a slanderer separates close friends.
29 A person of violence entices his neighbor
And leads him in a way that is not good. - Romans 1:29: Gossips and slanderers are included in the list of sins
- 1 Timothy 5:13: Condemns “busybodies” who “speak about things not proper to mention”
- 2 Thessalonians 3:11: Condemns “busybodies” who “speak about things not proper to mention”
- Ephesians 4:29: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs”
- Leviticus 19:16: “Do not go about spreading slander among your people”
- Exodus 20:16: “You shall not [i]give false testimony against your neighbor.
- Galatians 5: 19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, 20 idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
- John 10: 7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
Other Bible teachings about gossip:
- Avoid a man or woman who talks too much
- Guard your tongues
- Keep your mouths shut unless it is necessary and appropriate to speak
- Remember that someone who gossips to you will gossip about you
“What comes out of the mouth comes from the heart” is a phrase that appears in the Bible, in chapter 15 of Matthew, verses 18 and 19.
The phrase in the Bible:
“But what comes out of the mouth comes from the heart, and this is what defiles a man.”
“For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, and slander.”
Application of the phrase:
The phrase means that the words we say come from our thoughts and feelings, and that these can defile us.
Another related passage:
In Luke 6:45-49 it is said that “a good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil things.”
The Bible verse Proverbs 16:27 says, “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop; idle lips are his mouthpiece”.
The Bible consistently condemns idleness, portraying it as foolish, destructive, and contrary to God’s will. The Bible encourages diligence and hard work as a way to pursue blessings and maturity.
Old Testament references:
- Proverbs Idleness is linked with poverty and shame. For example, Proverbs 6:9-11 says, “Poverty will come upon you like a robber”.
- Ecclesiastes Idleness is futile, leading to deterioration and ruin. For example, Ecclesiastes 10:18 says, “Through laziness the roof caves in”.
New Testament references:
- 1 Corinthians 15:10: Paul warns against idleness and sets an example of godly diligence.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:9: Paul warns against idleness.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:6–11: Paul warns against idleness and encourages people to work to earn their food.
Other Bible passages:
- Matthew 12:36 Jesus warns against idle words.
- Galatians 5:22–23 Paul speaks of self-control as a fruit of the Spirit.
- Proverbs 18:9 compares being slack in work to destroying others.
- Proverbs 3:27 and 28 address procrastination.
Explanation:
The phrase “an idle mind is the devil’s workshop” is based on the idea that when people are idle, wicked thoughts easily enter their minds.
Related Bible verses:
- Proverbs 18:9: “One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys”.
- 1 Timothy 5:13: Idleness can lead to other sins, such as stealing and gossiping, and painful consequences, such as hunger and poverty.
The Bible condemns gossip in many verses, including Proverbs 16:28, 1 Timothy 5:13, and Romans 1:29.
Verses about gossip:
- Proverbs 16:28: “A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends”
- Proverbs 20:19: “A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much”
- Proverbs 11:13: “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret”
- 1 Timothy 5:13: Condemns “busybodies” who “speak about things not proper to mention”
- Romans 1:29: Condemns gossip as the result of a depraved mind, unfitting for Christians
- Leviticus 19:16: “Do not go about spreading slander among your people”
- Titus 3:2: “To slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone”
- Psalms 101:5: “Anyone who spreads gossip will be silenced; no one who is conceited will be my friend”
- James 3: 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
The Bible also says that we should:
- Spend time with Jesus/Holy Spirit
- Reading the Bible and putting it into action
- Praying, which is talking to God
- Taking care of what we see, read or hear
- A man or woman who talks too much
- Guard our tongues
- Keep our mouths shut unless it is necessary and appropriate to speak
- Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble
According to the Bible, “self-control” is considered one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, meaning it is a positive character trait developed through the influence of the Holy Spirit, specifically mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23.
Key points about self-control as a fruit of the Spirit:
- Definition: Self-control refers to the ability to resist temptations, manage impulses, and make deliberate choices in line with one’s values, rather than acting on immediate desires.
- Biblical context: In Galatians 5:22-23, the fruits of the Spirit are listed as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
- Importance: Self-control is seen as a vital component of a Christian life, allowing individuals to live righteously and resist worldly influences.
The way to become born again and experience the Fruits of the Holy Spirit:
We recognize we are sinners (Romans 3:23) and that the penalty for that sin is death (Romans 6:23). Because of our sin, we can’t know and experience God’s love and we are spiritually separated from Him. To remedy our situation, God came as the Holy Spirit thru Jesus—to take the penalty for our sins (Romans 5:8). After Jesus’ death, He rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:3-6). Jesus is our only way to God (John 14:6) and He gives us the gift of salvation. We can receive God’s gift through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9) and experience new birth (John 3:1-8). Receiving Jesus means trusting Him to come into our lives to forgive our sins and make us what He desires. Make the decision to receive Jesus now, and accept His gift of salvation, you can express this in a prayer to God. This is not a ritual based on specific words, but rather, a prayerful guideline for your sincere step of faith.
Take time to read the writings/Scriptures from the Bible mentioned here, and ask Jesus to help you understand what HE needs you to understand. Take the time to give your life to Jesus, get baptized as soon as possible, and pray for a community of faith to grow and learn with. Read the Bible every day, giving each day to the Holy Spirit, thanking and surrendering everything to Jesus.
Teaching on Fruits of the Holy Spirit: https://less-of-me-more-of-you.com/2021/03/25/fruits-of-the-holy-spirit/
Watch and share, more teachings as led to be recorded by the Holy Spirit, in both English and Spanish: https://www.youtube.com/@lessofmemoreofyoujohn330menosd/videos
Less of me, more of You//Más de Ti, menos de mí 
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