Fofoca
A fofoca destrói reputações e relacionamentos. A Bíblia condena severamente o murmúrio, a calúnia e a palavra maldosa, chamando o cristão a edificar com a boca.
O poder destrutivo
O homem perverso semeia contendas, e o que anda com fofocas separa amigos íntimos. A fofoca é veneno social.
28 A perverse man scatters abroad strife, and a whisperer separates chief friends.
9 The hypocrite destroys his neighbor with his mouth, but the righteous shall be delivered through knowledge.
13 He who goes around as a tale-bearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.
18 He who hides hatred is of lying lips. And he who utters a slander is a fool.
Edificar com palavras
Não saia da boca nenhuma palavra torpe, mas só a que serve para edificação. Quem fala mal do irmão fala mal da lei.
29 Let no corrupt speech go out of your mouth, rather if there is any good word for edification of a need, so that it may give grace to those who hear.
2 He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart,3 he who does no slander with his tongue, nor does evil to his friend, nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor,
11 Blessed are ye when they revile you, and persecute you, and say every evil word, being deceitful against you because of me.