Bad Mouths - There's A Scripture for Them (NLT) Version

These NLT Bible verses about harmful words reveal how speech can hurt, heal, encourage, or destroy.

Your Words Have More Power Than You Think

The Bible teaches that words matter. Every day, what we say affects our relationships, influences others, and reflects what is happening inside our hearts. Because words are so powerful, Scripture repeatedly encourages believers to use them carefully and wisely.

These verses address gossip, insults, lies, harsh language, and careless speech while highlighting the importance of encouragement, honesty, and kindness. The Bible reminds us that words can either strengthen people or leave lasting wounds.

Learning to control the tongue is part of spiritual growth. God’s Word teaches believers to pause before speaking, choose words carefully, and communicate in ways that reflect truth and compassion.

Leviticus 19:16 (NLT)
“Do not spread slanderous gossip among your people. “Do not stand idly by when your neighbor’s life is threatened. I am the Lord.

Proverbs 16:28 (NLT)
A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.

Proverbs 25:23 (NLT)
As surely as a north wind brings rain, so a gossiping tongue causes anger!

Ecclesiastes 7:21-22 (NLT)
Don’t eavesdrop on others—you may hear your servant curse you. 22. For you know how often you yourself have cursed others.

Isaiah 32:6 (NLT)
For fools speak foolishness and make evil plans. They practice ungodliness and spread false teachings about the Lord . They deprive the hungry of food and give no water to the thirsty.

Matthew 12:34-37 (NLT)
You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. 35. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. 36. And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. 37. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”

Matthew 15:11 (NLT)
It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.”

Romans 1:28-31 (NLT)
Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. 29. Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. 30. They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. 31. They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy.

2 Corinthians 12:20 (NLT)
For I am afraid that when I come I won’t like what I find, and you won’t like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior.

Ephesians 4:29 (NLT)
Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

Colossians 3:8 (NLT)
But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.

Colossians 4:6 (NLT)
Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.

James 3:10 (NLT)
And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!

Words can build bridges or burn them. Scripture reminds believers that speech carries influence and responsibility. What is spoken today can impact relationships, opportunities, and lives for years to come.

The Bible encourages speech that reflects wisdom, grace, patience, and truth. When believers allow God to shape their hearts, their words begin to change as well.

Through God’s Word, believers discover that speaking wisely is not only about avoiding harmful language—it is about becoming a source of encouragement, healing, and peace for others.

These scriptures have been thoughtfully arranged to help you better understand the power of words and the importance of speaking with wisdom and grace.