These KJV Bible verses about bad mouths reveal the power of words, the danger of harmful speech, and the importance of speaking with wisdom.
Words Leave a Mark Long After They Are Spoken
The Bible places tremendous importance on the words that come out of our mouths. Scripture teaches that speech has the power to build up or tear down, encourage or discourage, heal or harm. What we say often reveals what is taking place within the heart, making our words an important reflection of our spiritual condition.
Throughout Scripture, believers are warned against gossip, slander, lying, cursing, corrupt communication, and careless speech. The Bible teaches that uncontrolled words can damage relationships, create conflict, and lead others away from truth. At the same time, godly speech brings encouragement, wisdom, healing, and peace.
These verses reveal that God cares not only about our actions but also about the words we choose to speak. Learning to control the tongue is one of the clearest signs of spiritual maturity and wisdom.
Leviticus 19:16 (KJV)
Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD.
Proverbs 16:28 (KJV)
A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
Proverbs 17:9 (KJV)
He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
Proverbs 25:23 (KJV)
The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
Ecclesiastes 7:21-22 (KJV)
Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee: 22. For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.
Isaiah 32:6 (KJV)
For the vile person will speak villany, and his heart will work iniquity, to practise hypocrisy, and to utter error against the LORD, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail.
Matthew 12:34-37 (KJV)
O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. 35. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. 36. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
Matthew 15:11 (KJV)
Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
Romans 1:28-31 (KJV)
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29. Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30. Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31. Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
2 Corinthians 12:20 (KJV)
For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:
Ephesians 4:29 (KJV)
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Ephesians 5:4 (KJV)
Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
Colossians 3:8 (KJV)
But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
Colossians 4:6 (KJV)
Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
James 3:10 (KJV)
Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
Words may be spoken in seconds, but their impact can last for years. Scripture consistently teaches that the tongue carries great influence over relationships, reputations, and spiritual growth. What is spoken has the power to either strengthen or destroy.
The Bible calls believers to speak with wisdom, truth, kindness, and self-control. Rather than allowing emotions to dictate speech, Scripture encourages thoughtful words that reflect God’s character and bring life to those who hear them.
Through God’s Word, believers are reminded that a disciplined tongue reflects a transformed heart. When speech is guided by truth and wisdom, it becomes a source of encouragement, peace, and blessing.
These scriptures have been carefully selected to provide wisdom, conviction, and guidance for using words in a way that honors God.
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Scriptures marked KJV are taken from the KING JAMES VERSION (KJV): KING JAMES VERSION, public domain in The United States. Pathway365 is based in the United States and is governed by its laws. Outside of the United States, you’ll need to check the copyright laws in your country before use.
Scripture quotations from The Authorized (King James) Version. Rights in the Authorized Version in the United Kingdom are vested in the Crown. Reproduced by permission of the Crown’s patentee, Cambridge University Press