80 Bible Verses For When Someone Talks Bad About You

Being talked about behind your back hurts deeply, whether it’s gossip, lies, or betrayal. As Christians, we’re not protected from the sting of harsh words and false accusations. But God’s Word offers comfort and direction when others speak against us. 

The Bible shows us that God sees the truth even when others twist it. He calls us to respond with grace instead of revenge, trusting Him to defend our reputation. These verses remind us we’re not alone and that God’s justice will prevail in His perfect timing.

The Biblical Response to Slander and False Accusations

When someone speaks badly about you, the Bible teaches a response that goes against our natural instincts. Instead of defending yourself aggressively or seeking revenge, Scripture calls you to trust God with your reputation. 

This doesn’t mean you become a doormat or allow abuse to continue. It means you refuse to let others’ words control your actions or push you into sin. Jesus showed us the perfect example by remaining silent before His accusers and trusting His Father’s justice. 

God becomes your defender when you’re slandered unjustly, and He will vindicate you in His perfect timing. This approach requires deep faith that God sees the truth and will bring it to light better than any self-justification ever could.

80 Bible Verses For When Someone Talks Badly About You

• Psalm 31:13 – For I hear the slander of many; there is terror on every side
• Psalm 37:6 – He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn
• Psalm 57:4 – I am in the midst of lions; men whose tongues are sharp swords
• Psalm 64:2-4 – Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked
• Psalm 109:2-3 – Wicked men have opened their mouths against me
• Psalm 120:2 – Save me, Lord, from lying lips and deceitful tongues
• Psalm 140:3 – They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent’s
• Psalm 35:11 – Ruthless witnesses come forward
• Psalm 34:13 – Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies
• Romans 12:19 – Do not take revenge, but leave room for God’s wrath
• Matthew 5:44 – Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you
• Luke 6:28 – Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you
• Romans 12:14 – Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse
• Romans 12:21 – Overcome evil with good
• Matthew 5:11-12 – Blessed are you when people insult you
• 1 Peter 4:14 – If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed
• Matthew 10:25 – If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul
• 1 Corinthians 4:13 – When we are slandered, we answer kindly
• 1 Peter 2:23 – He did not retaliate; he entrusted himself to him who judges justly
• 1 Peter 3:16 – Keep a clear conscience
• 1 Peter 2:12 – Live such good lives among the pagans
• Proverbs 15:1 – A gentle answer turns away wrath
• 2 Timothy 2:23-24 – Don’t have anything to do with foolish arguments
• Proverbs 12:18 – The words of the reckless pierce like swords
• Proverbs 21:23 – Those who guard their mouths keep themselves from calamity
• Proverbs 16:28 – A gossip separates close friends
• Proverbs 26:20 – Without gossip a quarrel dies down
• Proverbs 11:13 – A gossip betrays a confidence
• Proverbs 20:19 – A gossip betrays a confidence; avoid anyone who talks too much
• Proverbs 18:8 – The words of a gossip are like choice morsels
• Proverbs 10:18 – Whoever spreads slander is a fool
• James 4:11 – Do not slander one another
• Ephesians 4:29 – Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths
• Colossians 3:8 – Rid yourselves of slander
• Titus 3:2 – Slander no one, be peaceable and considerate
• Proverbs 6:16-19 – The Lord hates a lying tongue
• Psalm 101:5 – Whoever slanders their neighbor in secret, I will put to silence
• Leviticus 19:16 – Do not go about spreading slander among your people
• Exodus 23:1 – Do not spread false reports
• Proverbs 26:28 – A lying tongue hates those it hurts
• Psalm 15:3 – Who does no wrong to a neighbor and casts no slur
• Proverbs 30:10 – Do not slander a servant to their master
• 2 Corinthians 12:20 – I fear there may be slander and gossip
• 1 Timothy 5:13 – They get into the habit of being gossips and busybodies
• 1 Peter 2:1 – Rid yourselves of all slander
• Psalm 15:1-2 – Who speaks the truth from their heart
• Proverbs 12:19 – Truthful lips endure forever
• Zechariah 8:16 – Speak the truth to each other
• Ephesians 4:25 – Put off falsehood and speak truthfully
• John 8:32 – The truth will set you free
• Proverbs 12:22 – The Lord detests lying lips
• Psalm 119:163 – I hate and detest falsehood
• Proverbs 19:5 – A false witness will not go unpunished
• Proverbs 19:9 – A false witness will perish
• Proverbs 14:25 – A truthful witness saves lives
• Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart
• Isaiah 54:17 – No weapon forged against you will prevail
• Psalm 27:1-3 – The Lord is my light and my salvation
• Psalm 46:1 – God is our refuge and strength
• Nahum 1:7 – The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble
• Psalm 91:4 – He will cover you with his feathers
• Psalm 118:6 – The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid
• Isaiah 41:10 – Do not fear, for I am with you
• Jeremiah 29:11 – I know the plans I have for you
• Romans 8:31 – If God is for us, who can be against us?
• Proverbs 18:21 – The tongue has the power of life and death
• Proverbs 13:3 – Those who guard their lips preserve their lives
• James 3:5-6 – The tongue is a small part of the body
• James 1:26 – Keep a tight rein on their tongues
• Matthew 12:36 – Everyone will have to give account for every empty word
• Proverbs 15:4 – The soothing tongue is a tree of life
• Proverbs 17:27 – The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint
• Psalm 141:3 – Set a guard over my mouth, Lord
• Proverbs 10:19 – Sin is not ended by multiplying words
• Ecclesiastes 5:2 – Do not be quick with your mouth
• Isaiah 54:17 – You will refute every tongue that accuses you
• Psalm 37:5-6 – Commit your way to the Lord; he will make your righteousness shine
• Lamentations 3:58-60 – You have seen the wrong done to me, Lord; uphold my cause
• Psalm 35:1 – Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me
• 2 Thessalonians 1:6 – God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you

Our Thoughts On What the Bible Says About When Someone Talks Badly About You

The natural response to slander is wanting to correct everyone and defend your name immediately. But the Bible calls us to something radically different: let God defend you and focus on living with integrity. 

This doesn’t mean you can never address false accusations directly when necessary. It means you don’t obsess over what people say or exhaust yourself trying to control their narrative. Jesus was constantly slandered, yet He didn’t spend His time setting everyone straight. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Bible say about people who talk behind your back? 

The Bible clearly condemns gossip and slander, calling it foolish and destructive behavior that separates friends and harms communities.

Should I confront someone who is spreading rumors about me? 

The Bible encourages addressing issues directly when necessary, but also warns against foolish arguments that only produce quarrels and division.

How can I stop being hurt by what others say about me? 

Trust God with your reputation, maintain a clear conscience, and focus on living with integrity rather than controlling others’ opinions.

Is it a sin to defend yourself against false accusations? 

Defending yourself isn’t inherently sinful, but the Bible emphasizes trusting God’s justice over aggressive self-defense and retaliation.

Why does God allow people to slander me if I’m innocent? 

God allows trials to strengthen our faith and character, and He promises to vindicate the innocent in His perfect timing.

Say This Prayer

Heavenly Father, it hurts deeply to know people are speaking badly about me behind my back. The lies, gossip, and betrayal cut to my heart, and I want to defend myself and set everything straight. 

But I know You’re calling me to trust You instead of fighting my own battles. Help me respond with grace and kindness rather than anger and retaliation. Give me strength to bless those who curse me and pray for those who slander me.