The Bible, in its profound wisdom, acknowledges the power of words and the impact they can have on individuals and their relationships. Words can heal or harm, uplift or crush, and their significance is underscored throughout scripture. In the following verses, we explore the biblical perspective on words that hurt, providing insight and guidance on how to use our tongues for good rather than for harm.
Bible Verses About Words That Hurt
1. Proverbs 12:18 – Reckless Words Pierce Like a Sword
“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” – Proverbs 12:18
Cross-References
Psalm 57:4 – “I am in the midst of lions; I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts—men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.”
2. James 3:6 – The Tongue is a Fire
“The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” – James 3:6
Cross-References
Proverbs 16:27 – “A scoundrel plots evil, and on their lips, it is like a scorching fire.”
Proverbs 26:21 – “As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.”
Matthew 15:11 – “What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”
3. Ephesians 4:29 – Do Not Let Any Unwholesome Talk Come Out
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” – Ephesians 4:29
Cross-References
1 Thessalonians 5:11 – “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
4. Proverbs 18:21 – The Power of Life and Death
“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” – Proverbs 18:21
Cross-References
James 3:9-10 – “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.”
5. Proverbs 15:1 – A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” – Proverbs 15:1
Cross-References
Proverbs 25:15 – “Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.”
Ecclesiastes 10:12 – “Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips.”
6. Matthew 12:36-37 – Accountable for Every Idle Word
“But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” – Matthew 12:36-37
Cross-References
Ecclesiastes 12:14 – “For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Romans 14:12 – “So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.”
2 Corinthians 5:10 – “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”
7. Psalm 34:13 – Keep Your Tongue from Evil
“Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.” – Psalm 34:13
Cross-References
Psalms 141:3 – “Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.”
8. Colossians 3:8 – Rid Yourselves of All Malice
“But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.” – Colossians 3:8
Cross-References
James 1:21 – “Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”
9. Matthew 15:18 – What Comes Out of the Mouth
“But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.” – Matthew 15:18
Cross-References
Proverbs 4:23 – “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Luke 6:45 – “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”
Jeremiah 17:9 – “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”
10. Proverbs 10:19 – Holding One’s Tongue
“Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.” – Proverbs 10:19
Cross-References
Ecclesiastes 5:2 – “Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.”
11. James 1:19 – Be Quick to Listen
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” – James 1:19
Cross-References
Proverbs 18:13 – “To answer before listening—that is folly and shame.”
Proverbs 15:18 – “A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.”
12. Proverbs 21:23 – Guard the Mouth
“Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.” – Proverbs 21:23
Cross-References
James 3:2 – “We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.”
13. Ecclesiastes 5:2 – Let Your Words Be Few
“Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.” – Ecclesiastes 5:2
Cross-References
Job 13:5 – “If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom.”
Proverbs 17:28 – “Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.”
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14. Proverbs 13:3 – Guard the Lips
“Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.” – Proverbs 13:3
Cross-References
Psalm 39:1 – “I said, ‘I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth while in the presence of the wicked.'”
15. James 3:2 – Perfect and Able to Keep the Whole Body in Check
“We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.” – James 3:2
Cross-References
1 Peter 2:22 – “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
16. Proverbs 29:11 – Fools Give Full Vent to Their Rage
“Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.” – Proverbs 29:11
Cross-References
Ecclesiastes 7:9 – “Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.”
17. Psalm 141:3 – A Prayer to Watch Over the Mouth
“Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” – Psalm 141:3
Cross-References
Psalm 39:1 – “I said, ‘I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth while in the presence of the wicked.'”
18. Proverbs 15:4 – The Soothing Tongue
“The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.” – Proverbs 15:4
Cross-References
Proverbs 10:11 – “The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.”
19. Titus 3:2 – Slander No One
“To slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.” – Titus 3:2
Cross-References
Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
20. Proverbs 17:27 – A Knowledgeable Person’s Words
“The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.” – Proverbs 17:27
Cross-References
Proverbs 14:29 – “Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.”
21. 1 Peter 3:10 – Keep Tongue from Evil
“For, ‘Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.'” – 1 Peter 3:10
Cross-References
James 1:26 – “Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.”
22. James 4:11 – Slander and Judgment
“Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it.” – James 4:11
Cross-References
1 John 4:20 – “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.”
23. Ephesians 4:31 – Get Rid of All Bitterness
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.” – Ephesians 4:31
Cross-References
Hebrews 12:15 – “See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.”
24. Proverbs 16:24 – Gracious Words
“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” – Proverbs 16:24
Cross-References
Colossians 4:6 – “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
25. Matthew 7:1-2 – Do Not Judge
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” – Matthew 7:1-2
Cross-References
Luke 6:37 – “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
26. James 1:21 – Get Rid of Moral Filth
“Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” – James 1:21
Cross-References
1 Peter 2:1 – “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.”
27. Proverbs 10:32 – The Lips of the Righteous
“The lips of the righteous know what finds favor, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.” – Proverbs 10:32
Cross-References
Proverbs 15:28 – “The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.”
Psalms 37:30 – “The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just.”
28. 1 Corinthians 15:33 – Do Not Be Misled
“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.'” – 1 Corinthians 15:33
Cross-References
Proverbs 13:20 – “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”
Proverbs 28:7 – “A discerning son heeds instruction, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.”
2 Corinthians 6:14 – “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?”
29. Proverbs 12:6 – The Words of the Wicked
“The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.” – Proverbs 12:6
Cross-References
Psalm 64:3 – “They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim cruel words like deadly arrows.”
Psalm 37:30 – “The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just.”
30. Proverbs 25:18 – A False Witness
“Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.” – Proverbs 25:18
Cross-References
Proverbs 14:5 – “An honest witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies.”
Exodus 20:16 – “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.”
Psalms 27:12 – “Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations.”
31. Romans 2:1 – Passing Judgment
“You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.” – Romans 2:1
Cross-References
Galatians 6:1 – “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.”
32. 1 John 4:20 – Loving Your Brother
“Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.” – 1 John 4:20
Cross-References
1 John 3:15 – “Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-5 – “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”
Also check out this article on: Bible verses about Communication In A Relationship (With Cross-References)
Final Thought
The Bible provides clear guidance on the significance and power of our words, urging us to wield them with wisdom and restraint. Every word spoken has the potential to build or break, to heal or hurt, and it’s incumbent upon each believer to speak with love and understanding, echoing the teachings of Jesus Christ. By examining these verses, we recognize the responsibility that comes with our ability to communicate.
Our lips should always resonate with grace and truth, reflecting the light and love of God in a world often filled with harshness and discord. Let us strive to embody these truths daily, guiding our conversations and relationships, so that our words consistently affirm and uplift those around us, bearing witness to the transformative power of divine love and compassion. Let us remember that with each word spoken, we have the opportunity to glorify God and demonstrate the love of Christ through our actions and interactions.