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 froward man sendeth forth contention, A tale-bearer is separating a familiar friend.
9 With the mouth a hypocrite corrupteth his friend, And by knowledge the righteous are drawn out.
13 A busybody is revealing secret counsel, And the faithful of spirit is covering the matter.
18 Whoso is covering hatred with lying lips, And whoso is bringing out 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.
29 Let no corrupt word out of your mouth go forth, but what is good unto the needful building up, that it may give grace to the hearers;
2 He who is walking uprightly, And working righteousness, And speaking truth in his heart.3 He hath not slandered by his tongue, He hath not done to his friend evil; And reproach he hath not lifted up Against his neighbour.
11 Happy are ye whenever they may reproach you, and may persecute, and may say any evil thing against you falsely for my sake --