Bible verses about idle talk
The tongue can do a lot of good, but it can also do extreme evil. Just because we are Christians does not mean we can go and bring out evil things from our mouths because you will be condemned by your words. If you wouldn’t say it in front of Jesus that is a clear indication it should not be said. We need to stop this foolish talk and ungodly joking.
So called Christians these days are trying to be like the world and deliberately bring out idle words from their mouths. Christians are not to be like the world, but instead we are to be like Christ. Let your light shine in your speech. Idleness leads to things like slandering, lying, and gossiping about other believers.
All these things lead to drama. If you were serving the Lord and using your time wisely you wouldn’t have time for godless chatter. Examine yourself today and transform your speech. Make no mistake about it, your words are extremely important.
You will have to give an account for your words.
1. Matthew 12:36-37 And I tell you this, that you must give account on Judgment Day for every idle word you speak. Your words now reflect your fate then: either you will be justified by them or you will be condemned.”
2. Hebrews 9:27 Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,
Do something better with your time than talking evil.
3. 1 Timothy 5:11-14 But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when they are drawn away from Christ by desire, they want to marry and will therefore receive condemnation because they have renounced their original pledge. At the same time, they also learn to be idle, going from house to house; they are not only idle, but are also gossips and busybodies saying things they shouldn’t say. Therefore, I want younger women to marry, have children, manage their households, and give the adversary no opportunity to accuse us.
4. Ephesians 4:29 No foul language is to come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear.
5. Ephesians 5:4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.
6. Colossians 3:8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
What does the Bible say?
7. Proverbs 12:13-14 Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk, and so the innocent escape trouble. From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings them reward.
8. Proverbs 20:19 He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, Therefore do not associate with a gossip.
9. Proverbs 10:13-14 Wisdom characterizes the speech of the discerning, but the rod is for the backs of those lacking discernment. Those who are wise store up knowledge, but when the fool speaks, destruction is near.
10. Proverbs 10:8 The wise person accepts instructions, but the one who speaks foolishness will come to ruin.
11. Proverbs 15:28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
False witnesses and gossipers
12. Proverbs 19:9 A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will perish.
13. Proverbs 11:13 A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.
14. Proverbs 18:6-8 Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating. The mouths of fools are their ruin; they trap themselves with their lips. Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart.
15. Proverbs 12:17-19 Good people speak the truth and can be trusted in court, but liars make bad witnesses. Speak without thinking, and your words can cut like a knife. Be wise, and your words can heal. Lies last only a moment, but the truth lasts forever.
Reminders
16. Matthew 4:4 But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
17. James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire! The tongue represents the world of wrongdoing among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the entire body and sets fire to the course of human existence–and is set on fire by hell.
18. Proverbs 18:21 The power of the tongue is life and death— those who love to talk will eat what it produces.
Advice
19. Colossians 4:5-6 Behave wisely toward outsiders, making the best use of your time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.
20. Romans 12:2 Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to understand and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect.
21. Proverbs 14:23 In hard work there is always something gained, but idle talk leads only to poverty.
Examples
22. Job 11:1-5 Then Zophar the Naamathite spoke up and said: “Should not this abundance of words be answered, or should this talkative man be vindicated? Will your idle talk reduce people to silence, and will no one rebuke you when you mock? For you have said, ‘My teaching is flawless, and I am pure in your sight.’ But if only God would speak, if only he would open his lips against you,
23. Luke 24:9-12 and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.
24. 3 John 1:9-10 I wrote a letter to the congregation. But Diotrephes, who loves to be in charge, won’t accept us. For this reason, when I come I will bring up what he’s doing. He’s not satisfied with saying malicious things about us. He also refuses to accept the believers we send as guests. He even tries to stop others who want to accept them and attempts to throw those people out of the congregation.
25. 1 Timothy 1:3-7 When I was going to the province of Macedonia, I encouraged you to stay in the city of Ephesus. That way you could order certain people to stop teaching false doctrine and occupying themselves with myths and endless genealogies. These myths and genealogies raise a lot of questions rather than promoting God’s plan, which centers in faith. My goal in giving you this order is for love to flow from a pure heart, from a clear conscience, and from a sincere faith. Some people have left these qualities behind and have turned to useless discussions. They want to be experts in Moses’ Teachings. However, they don’t understand what they’re talking about or the things about which they speak so confidently.
