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 scattereth abroad strife;
And a whisperer separateth chief friends.
9 With his mouth the godless man destroyeth his neighbor;
But through knowledge shall the righteous be delivered.
13 He that goeth about as a tale-bearer revealeth secrets;
But he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth a matter.
18 He that hideth hatred is of lying lips;
And he that uttereth 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 proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for edifying as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear.
2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness,
And speaketh truth in his heart;
3 He that slandereth not with his tongue,
Nor doeth evil to his friend,
Nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor;
11 Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.