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 strife; and a whisperer separateth confident friends.
9 With his mouth doth the hypocrite destroy his neighbor; but through knowledge are the righteous delivered.
13 He that walketh about as talebearer revealeth secrets; but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
18 He that hideth hatred hath lips of falsehood; and he that spreadeth abroad an evil report, 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.
2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart;3 That uttereth no calumny with his tongue, that doth no evil to his neighbor, and bringeth no reproach on his fellowman;