Confidentiality is an important concept in the Bible. There are several verses that discuss the importance of keeping sensitive information private and not spreading gossip or revealing secrets. Here is an overview of some key Bible verses about confidentiality:
Proverbs 11:13 – The importance of being trustworthy and not spreading gossip
“Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of being discreet and not spreading private information that could be harmful. A gossip betrays confidences, but someone who is trustworthy protects sensitive information.
Proverbs 20:19 – Avoid those who reveal secrets
“Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.”
We should be cautious about associating with those who have loose lips and cannot keep secrets. Hanging around people who gossip can lead us to slip into that habit as well.
Proverbs 25:9-10 – Be discreet when discussing private matters
“Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another’s secret, lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end.”
This passage advises directly addressing someone if you have an issue with them, rather than complaining to others about it. Spreading another’s secret will ultimately backfire.
Leviticus 19:16 – Do not spread slander
“You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord.”
Along with prohibiting gossip, this verse condemns harming someone else’s reputation through false accusations and slander.
Matthew 18:15-17 – Settle matters privately
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church.”
Jesus teaches that issues should be handled discreetly at first, only involving others if privately resolving the matter is unsuccessful. Immediately making a matter public can damage relationships.
1 Timothy 5:13 – Avoid idle talk
“Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not.”
Paul warns against gossiping from house to house, which breeds idleness and breeds destruction through idle and hurtful speech.
Titus 3:1-2 – Do not slander others
“Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.”
Christians are called to speak well of others and avoid slanderous talk. Courtesy should be shown to all people.
Proverbs 26:20 – Gossip fuels quarrels
“For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.”
Just as a fire burns out without wood, gossip and whispering fuel conflict. Removing slanderous speech removes a prime catalyst of quarrels and fights.
Psalm 141:3 – Ask God to guard your mouth
“Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!”
Since our natural tendency is towards gossip and revealing secrets, this psalm highlights the importance of asking God to help control our speech.
Proverbs 16:28 – Gossip divides friends
“A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.”
Speaking indiscreetly about others drives a wedge between friends. Gossip often contains half-truths that stir up division.
Ephesians 4:29 – Build others up with speech
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
Paul instructs believers to avoid destructive speech and instead speak in a way that builds others up according to their needs.
Proverbs 18:8 – Gossip is delicious but harmful
“The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.”
Gossip may seem interesting to hear, but it is ultimately unhealthy, like junk food for the soul.
James 1:19 – Be quick to listen, slow to speak
“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.”
James advises being cautious and self-controlled with our speech. We should listen more than we talk to avoid gossip and confidentiality breaches.
Proverbs 17:9 – Don’t repeat a matter
“Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.”
Spreading offenses isolates people. Discretion maintains trust and friendships.
Romans 1:29-30 – Gossip is unrighteous
“They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents…”
Paul includes gossips and slanderers in a list of sins and wicked behaviors. The rampant tongue is strongly condemned.
2 Corinthians 12:20 – Avoid those who gossip
“For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.”
Paul expresses concern that the Corinthian church has fallen into gossip and slander. Such speech destroys community.
Exodus 23:1 – Do not spread false reports
“You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness.”
Along with prohibiting false testimony, this verse instructs against spreading false or unverified rumors about someone.
Psalm 50:20 – Avoid malicious talk
“You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother’s son.”
Slandering and speaking ill of family demonstrates a particularly offensive unkindness. Our speech should build up those closest to us.
Proverbs 6:16-19 – God hates those who sow discord
“There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.”
Along with liars and false witnesses, God despises those who create division through gossip. Causing strife is an abomination.
1 Peter 2:1 – Rid yourself of malicious speech
“So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.”
As part of growing in holiness, Christians are to eliminate slanderous and damaging speech patterns.
Proverbs 26:22 – Gossip is harmful
“The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.”
This compares listening to gossip to eating tainted food – it seems enjoyable but brings contamination and sickness.
2 Corinthians 12:20 – Slander indicates worldliness
“For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish – that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.”
Paul lists gossip and slander alongside other sins that indicate someone is living for the flesh rather than the spirit.
Philippians 4:8 – Focus on purity
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Rather than dwelling on impure gossip, Paul instructs focusing on things that are positive, uplifting, and praiseworthy.
Proverbs 10:18 – Lying lips conceal hatred
“The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool.”
Gossips may appear harmless, but their whispers often conceal hatred and bitterness. Spreading rumors is foolishness.
Psalm 52:2 – A destructive tongue
“Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit.”
This rebuke equates an unbridled tongue with a dangerous weapon that causes harm through deceitful gossip.
Proverbs 16:27-28 – Gossip causes strife
“A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.”
These verses vividly portray the damage caused by gossip, slander, and unsuitable speech.
Proverbs 17:4 – The deceit of gossip
“An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.”
Those who listen to gossip are just as unwise as those spreading it. The deceit of whisperers ensnares both speaker and listener.
1 Timothy 3:11 – Avoid slanderers
“Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things.”
Paul includes being free of slander in a list of virtues for Christian wives. The prohibition applies to all believers.
Proverbs 11:3 – Integrity guides speech
“The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.”
Whereas integrity restrains loose speech, lack of integrity leads people into gossip and slander that proves their undoing.
Psalm 101:5 – Slanderers will be cut off
“Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly I will destroy. Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure.”
This psalm declares that God will oppose those who secretly slander others. Arrogance and gossip go hand in hand.
Proverbs 26:20 – Gossip fuels dissension
“For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.”
A gossipy person fans the flames of discord, yet removing slanderous speech can extinguish conflict. Quietness calms strife.
Romans 1:28-30 – Maliciousness leads to unrighteousness
“And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were…gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil…”
Gossips and slanderers are numbered among those living in unrighteousness and rebellion against God. Their speech reflects inner pollution.
In summary, the Bible frequently warns against gossip, slander, and breaching confidences. Christians are called to speak in a way that builds others up and preserves trust. Being quick to listen, slow to speak, and keeping sensitive information private embodies the discretion and love that should mark believers. Refraining from gossip demonstrates obedience, faithfulness, and the fear of God.