Gossip can cause deep hurt to others and ourselves.
Proverbs 26:20-22 (AMP)
20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention ceases.
21 As coals are to hot embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man to inflame strife.
22 The words of a whisperer or slanderer are like dainty morsels or words of sport [to some, but to others are like deadly wounds]; and they go down into the innermost parts of the body [or of the victim’s nature].
Proverbs 13:3 (AMP)
3 He who guards his mouth keeps his life, but he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
Proverbs 20:19 (AMP)
19 He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; therefore associate not with him who talks too freely.
Obadiah 1:12 (AMP)
12 But you should not have gloated over your brother’s day, the day when his misfortune came and he was made a stranger; you should not have rejoiced over the sons of Judah in the day of their ruin; you should not have spoken arrogantly in the day of their distress.
Gossip is a choice we can avoid
Proverbs 17:28 (AMP)
28 Even a fool when he holds his peace is considered wise; when he closes his lips he is esteemed a man of understanding.
1 Peter 3:10 (AMP)
10 For let him who wants to enjoy life and see good days [good—whether apparent or not] keep his tongue free from evil and his lips from guile (treachery, deceit).
James 1:26 (AMP)
26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious (piously observant of the external duties of his faith) and does not bridle his tongue but deludes his own heart, this person’s religious service is worthless (futile, barren).
Proverbs 18:21 (AMP)
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life].
Psalms 141:3 (AMP)
3 Set a guard, O Lord, before my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.
James 3:11 (AMP)
11 Does a fountain send forth [simultaneously] from the same opening fresh water and bitter?
Gossip and unwholesome speech produce negative qualities
Proverbs 10:18 (AMP)
18 He who hides hatred is of lying lips, and he who utters slander is a [self-confident] fool.
Galatians 5:15 (AMP)
15 But if you bite and devour one another [in partisan strife], be careful that you [and your whole fellowship] are not consumed by one another.
2 Timothy 2:16 (AMP)
16 But avoid all empty (vain, useless, idle) talk, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness.
Proverbs 21:23 (AMP)
23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from troubles.
Believers must replace gossip with love and the building up of one another
Proverbs 17:9 (AMP)
9 He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love, but he who repeats or harps on a matter separates even close friends.
Ephesians 4:29 (AMP)
29 Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God’s favor) to those who hear it.
Proverbs 16:24 (AMP)
24 Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the mind and healing to the body.
Colossians 4:6 (AMP)
6 Let your speech at all times be gracious (pleasant and winsome), seasoned [as it were] with salt, [so that you may never be at a loss] to know how you ought to answer anyone [who puts a question to you].
