The Words of a Whisperer
(Part A)

The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels,And they go down into the innermost parts.

Proverbs 18:8 (ASV)

Here’s a Bible study with biblical teaching points from the King James Version on gossip, slander, tale-bearing, whispering, and false witness:

Old Testament

Exodus: false witness, unrighteous witness

• “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.” (Exodus 20:16)46

• “Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.” (Exodus 23:1)14

Leviticus: a talebearer

• “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.” (Leviticus 19:16)3

Psalms:  speaking guile

• “Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.” (Psalms 34:13)5

Proverbs: 
a fault balance, a slander, a whisperer, a tail bearer, a false witness, a lying tongue, a heart that devises wicked things, wicked imaginations, he that creates discord among the brethren

• “A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.” (Proverbs 11:1)  

  • [Oftentimes we can use our words create a false balance, we can metaphorically put our finger on the scale with false words, whispering subtle choice morsels, to tip the scales in our favor.]

• “He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.” (Proverbs 10:18)3

• “A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.” (Proverbs 16:28)13

• “The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.” (Proverbs 18:8)3

• “A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.” (Proverbs 19:5)28

• “A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.” (Proverbs 19:9)28  

  • Notice the repetition?

• “A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.” (Proverbs 25:18)2

• “These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” (Proverbs 6:16-19)2

New Testament

Matthew

• “He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness.” (Matthew 19:18)2

Luke

• “Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.” (Luke 18:20)4

Ephesians

• “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 4:29)37

James

• “Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.” (James 4:11)5
• “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.” (James 1:26)3

2 Timothy

• “But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.” (2 Timothy 2:16)3

Biblical Teaching Points

1. God explicitly forbids bearing false witness and spreading false reports124.
2. Gossip and slander are considered sinful behaviors that can cause significant harm13.
3. Tale-bearing and whispering are associated with sowing discord and separating friends13.
4. The Bible equates false witness with violence, comparing it to weapons that can harm others2.
5. Those who engage in gossip and slander are considered foolish and wicked3.
6. God hates false witness and considers it an abomination2.
7. The scriptures warn that those who bear false witness will not go unpunished28.
8. Christians are encouraged to use their speech for edification and to give grace to others, rather than for gossip or slander37.
9. The commandment against bearing false witness is reiterated in both the Old and New Testaments, emphasizing its continued importance246.
10. The Bible teaches that avoiding gossip and tale-bearing can prevent strife and conflict13.
11. Controlling one’s tongue is considered a mark of true religious devotion3.
12. Believers are instructed to keep their tongues from evil and their lips from speaking deceit5.
13. The scriptures advise against associating with those who engage in gossip and excessive talk13.
14. False witness is listed among the things that God particularly hates2.
15. The Bible emphasizes the importance of truthful speech and honest testimony124.

Citations:

1. https://scriptures.blog/bible-verses-about-gossip/
2. https://stillfaith.com/topics/bearing-false-witness/
3. https://meganallenministries.com/bible-verses-about-gossip/
4. https://sarata.com/bible/verses/about/false.html
5. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Bible-Verses-About-Gossip/
6. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Exodus-20-16/
7. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Bible-Verses-About-Gossip-And-Lies/
8. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Bible-Verses-About-Bearing-False-Witness/

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