Why Speaking Badly About Others Is So Serious
Backbiting is a word we don’t use much in everyday talk, but its meaning is simple: it’s talking badly about someone behind their back whether its on social media or in a group setting, especially saying unkind or untrue things. The Bible treats backbiting as a serious problem, not just for the person who’s being talked about, but for the person doing the talking—and for the community as a whole.
Backbiting in the Bible
The Bible warns repeatedly against backbiting, using words like “slander,” “gossip,” and “malicious talk.” It’s considered a sin because it hurts others and goes against the command to love your neighbor.
· Psalm 15:1-3: This passage describes the type of person who can live close to God, saying it’s someone who “does not slander with their tongue” or “do harm to a neighbor.”
· Proverbs 25:23: Here, it says, “A backbiting tongue brings an angry look”—meaning that talking badly about others leads to anger and conflict.
· Romans 1:29-30: The apostle Paul lists backbiting alongside things like envy, murder, and arrogance. In other words, it’s a serious problem, not just a small slip-up.
· 2 Corinthians 12:20: Paul worries about finding the church full of “backbitings, whisperings, and strife,” showing how backbiting can mess up relationships and communities.
· James 4:11: “Do not slander one another.” The Bible is clear: don’t speak badly about others—it isn’t your place to judge.
Backbiting is seen as an act that destroys trust and unity, and it can even harm your relationship with God. The Bible teaches that our words should build others up, not tear them down. Ephesians 4:29 says, “Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up.”
Why Is Backbiting Such a Big Deal?
Backbiting isn’t just about saying a few mean words—it’s about what those words do. When you talk badly about someone behind their back:
· You hurt their reputation.
· You break trust, making friendships and communities weaker.
· You fill your own heart with negative feelings, making it harder to love and forgive.
· Both Christianity and Islam teach that backbiting is part of a bigger problem: letting hate, arrogance, or jealousy control your actions.
How Should We Respond?
Both faiths say the answer is simple, but not always easy: Don’t do it. Instead, practice love, forgiveness, and self-control. If you’re tempted to speak badly about someone, remember:
· Would you say the same thing if they were standing there?
· Will your words help or hurt?
· Are you treating them the way you’d want to be treated?
The Bible (Colossians 3:8) says to “put aside anger, malice, slander, and filthy language.” The Quran warns that these words are acts of injustice and will be judged.
The Takeaway
Backbiting may seem small in the moment, but the Bible shows that it has serious consequences—for others, for yourself, and for your spiritual health. Choosing not to gossip or speak badly about others is one of the best ways to build real trust, spread kindness, and live out your faith, no matter which holy book you follow.
Ministe A Francine Green
September 2025
afrancinegreen.com 