Murder with the Tongue: How Gossip & Slander Wounds Deep—and How God Heals

The Power and Promise of Our Words

The Bible never treats gossip and slander as harmless chatter. In Proverbs 18:8 pierces the soul:

“The words of a gossip merely reveal the wounds of his own soul, and his slander penetrates into the innermost being.”-Proverbs 18:8 (TPT)

In The Message, Leviticus 19:16 is incisive: “Don’t go spreading gossip and rumors.”

These aren't just moral guidelines—they speak to the spiritual violence in slander.

As Pastor Rick puts it, "gossip wounds like a sword and can tear down a person’s life and peace in mere seconds."

The Enemy’s Weapon: How Gossip Facilitates His Work

Slander isn’t just hurtful—it’s spiritual warfare. As Pastor Rick warns:

“Gossip … is a device of the devil… giving the enemy opportunity with his plans to steal, kill and destroy us."

My personal opinion is even sharper, “To gossip and slander someone is to curse them with shame and worse destroying them before others… It is 100% satanic.”

Words carry spiritual power—beyond what we can see. They act like arrows in spiritual battles,

damaging reputations, wrecking trust, and opening doorways to demonic assault. Just as words can be arrows of destruction, they can also be instruments of healing, honor, and heavenly alignment. When yielded to the Holy Spirit, our words become swords of light, cutting through lies and building strongholds of truth. Words spoken in faith can restore what was broken, revive what was dead, and redirect destinies. Scripture says, “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones” (Proverbs 16:24). The same tongue that can curse can also bless, prophesy, and lift burdens. When we speak what God speaks, we release life into the atmosphere—we shift realms, we scatter darkness, and we partner with Heaven to build what Hell tried to tear down.

A Personal Crossroads with Slander

I know this pain intimately. A family member misunderstood a casual photo of me, and instead of seeking clarity, believed a whisper of deception. The enemy slipped his lies in, and what followed was a swift and devistating spread of slander.

This reaction fractured our family. To this day, that relationship remains unreconciled. Over time, the fallout has been catastrophic—not just for my reputation, but for many relationships.

Even now, sometimes the wounds feel fresh. The lies wounded me on multiple levels—emotionally, relationally, spiritually. My family member, unwittingly or otherwise, became a mouthpiece of division. And as the deceit spread, I experienced numerous spiritual attacks as if the demonic found fertile ground in that narrative.

Yet, through it all, I choose to forgive. Not because trust has been restored—it's not—but because I refuse to live in bondage to bitterness. Jesus said,

“But if you withhold forgiveness from others, your Father withholds forgiveness from you.” — Matthew 6:15 TPT

Forgiveness isn’t approval of what was done—it’s a release of what could keep me bound. I will not be tied to a poisonous root of bitterness. I will not drink the cup the enemy poisoned. I choose freedom. I choose peace. I choose to let Jesus have the final word—not slander, not shame, not silence. He alone is the Author of my story.

Scripture Speaks: Gossip as Murder, Our Words as Divine Weapons

A twisted person spreads rumors; a whispering gossip ruins good friendships.”— Proverbs 16:28 TPT

This verse reinforces the destructive nature of gossip— it not only wounds reputations but dismantles relationships designed for Kingdom purpose.

“Their sinful lives became full of every kind of evil, wicked schemes, greed, and cruelty. Their hearts overflowed with jealous cravings, and with conflict and strife, which drove them into hateful arguments and murder. They are deceitful liars full of hostility. They are gossips who love to spread malicious slander. With inflated egos they hurl hateful insults at God, yet they are nothing more than arrogant boasters. They are rebels against their parents and totally immoral.” -- Romans 1:29–30 (TPT):

This vivid expression highlights how gossip and slander are powerful tools of spiritual destruction—feeding wicked schemes, conflict, and hostility.

“The words of a gossip merely reveal the wounds of his own soul, and his slander penetrates into the innermost being.”— Proverbs 18:8, The Passion Translation (TPT)

This Scripture reveals two powerful truths:

1. Gossip is a symptom of inner brokenness.

2. Slander is spiritually violent—it pierces deeply.

Paul’s fear in 2 Corinthians “Now I’m afraid that when I come to you I may find you different than I desire you to be, and you may find me different than you would like me to be. I don’t want to find you in disunity, with jealousy and angry outbursts, with selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance, and turmoil.” ---2 Corinthians 12:20 (TPT)

This verse captures Paul's deep concern for relational and spiritual health—it highlights how slander, gossip, selfish ambition, and discord can fracture communities and cripple unity.

Indeed, “murder with the tongue” isn’t hyperbole—it’s biblical.

God Redeems the Enemy’s Schemes for His Glory

Even when we’re attacked, God is turning it around.

Isaiah 54:17 reminds us:

“No weapon formed against you shall prosper.”

This is a powerful promise of protection and vindication—especially relevant in the face of gossip, slander, and spiritual attack. It's not just a shield—it's a legal declaration from Heaven.

Stories abound: One woman prayed over slanderous rumors, and years later saw restoration of relationships and a deeper reputation in Christ. In another, someone who had started gossip received an intentional act of grace that began their own journey of healing—just like the spiritual sister who responded with love, not retaliation

The Word says our words can be arrows too—arrows of life that scatter darkness.

“Your hand‑to‑hand combat is not with human beings, but with the highest principalities and authorities operating in rebellion under the heavenly realms. For they are a powerful class of demon‑gods and evil spirits that hold this dark world in bondage.”---Ephesians 6:12 (TPT)

“He released His lightning‑arrows, and routed my foes. See how they ran and scattered in fear!”--Psalm 18:14 (TPT)

What the Gospel Calls Us to Do

Guard your tongue —don’t repeat rumors. “Do not go about spreading slander…”

Set boundaries—you can forgive someone but still protect your peace.

Pray—bind the spirit of gossip, forgive, and release. “Return good for their evil.”

Speak life—let your words heal, not harm.

Trust God—He fights for you; often, silence is your strength.

Grace That Speaks Hope

If you’ve been slandered, you’re not alone. The wounds run deep—but so does His grace.

I forgive—but I still take authority. I bless—but I don’t minimize what was done. I pray—and I build with my voice. I trust—and I proclaim:

My name belongs to God. He uses my story—yes, even the wounded parts—for His glory. And no weapon formed against me will prosper.

Further Scriptures to Reflect On

“The words of a gossip merely reveal the wounds of his own soul, and his slander penetrates into the innermost being.”- Proverbs 18:8 (TPT)

“Don’t spread gossip and rumors.” - Leviticus 19:16 (MSG)

“A twisted person spreads rumors; a whispering gossip ruins good friendships.” -Proverbs 16:28 (TPT)

“Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.” - Ephesians 4:29 ( MSG)

Scripture Reflection

• Proverbs 18:8 exposes gossip as a symptom of one's internal brokenness—its sting doesn’t just scratch the surface; it wounds deeply.

• Leviticus 19:16 delivers a divine command: do not be the one who spreads slander or holds back when truth and intervention are needed.

• Proverbs 16:28 reminds us that rumor mongering destroys trust and corrodes relationships vital to Kingdom life.

• Ephesians 4:29 flips the script—words have power to edify, heal, and offer grace when used thoughtfully and lovingly.

  
  

~~Pastor CJ

Below is a powerful, court-based, warfare prayer, rooted in Scripture and bold faith. This prayer will confront the demonic legalities behind slander and gossip, execute justice in the Courts of Heaven and releases healing, restoration, and divine reversal.

🔥 Break the Power of Gossip and Slander in the Courts of Heaven🔥

Righteous Judge, Holy Father, I come before You now through the blood of Jesus Christ, my High Priest and Advocate. I enter the Courts of Heaven by the new and living way—the blood that speaks better things than the blood of Abel.

Heavenly Father, I present before Your courtroom the slander, gossip, accusations, lies, and curses that have been spoken over my name. I repent for any way I have ever used my words to wound others, knowingly or unknowingly. I now plead the blood of Jesus over every word I’ve spoken that was contrary to Your heart.

But now, Holy and Righteous Judge, I bring my petition before You:

⚖️ 1. PETITIONING THE COURTS

Father, I ask You to issue a divine subpoena in the Courts of Heaven to every demon, unclean spirit, principality, and power that has used the slander against me as a legal contract to attack, vex, hex, curse, harass, or destroy my reputation, my peace, my family, or my calling. Let them present their claim.

If there is any access, Lord, reveal it. I declare: every legal contract against me is now revoked by the blood of Jesus. Every demonic authorization is now nullified. I renounce all agreement with slander, gossip, shame, and accusation.

“Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.” — Romans 8:33

🛡️ 2. DECLARING WAR AGAINST THE ACCUSER

In the name of Jesus, I rebuke and renounce every spirit of gossip, accusation, witchcraft, and division that has used my name as a weapon. I issue a cease and desist order in the spirit realm through the authority of Christ. Every demonic arrow released through slander—be returned to sender, sevenfold.

I sever every spiritual cord of manipulation and control connected to my name. I strike down every monitoring spirit, familiar spirit, and slandering spirit with the sword of the Lord. I declare: the accuser of the brethren has no place here.

“No weapon formed against me shall prosper, and every tongue that rises against me in judgment, I condemn.” — Isaiah 54:17

🏛️ 3. FORGIVENESS AND REDEMPTION

Father, I choose to forgive the person who cursed me with their words. I forgive them for believing the lies of the enemy. I forgive them for speaking without truth, without love, and without seeking reconciliation. I place them in Your hands—not for wrath, but for redemption.

But I do not give demons a free pass. I ask now for a righteous judgment to be rendered from Your courtroom against the spirits that weaponized their words. Let them be judged according to the books of Heaven. Let every tongue of the enemy be silenced. Let justice roll down like a river, and righteousness like a mighty stream.

🔥 4. PROPHETIC DECLARATION & RESTORATION

I decree:

My name is redeemed by the blood of Jesus.

My identity is rooted in Christ, not in the opinions of man.

I am not under accusation—I am under grace.

I am not defined by slander—I am marked by God.

I am not destroyed—I am being rebuilt.

I call back everything stolen:

My voice

My peace

My favor

My connections

My influence/authority

My Fire for God / Passion

My joy

My finances/provisions

My health

My rest

My sound mind/clarity of mind

My identity

My purpose/vision

My reputation

Let the angels of restoration be released now on my behalf. Let my reputation be rebuilt by the hand of the Lord. Let my name be honored where it was dishonored. Let my voice be amplified where it was silenced. Let my vindication be seen in the land of the living.

“I will restore to you the years that the locust has eaten.” — Joel 2:25

“He prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” — Psalm 23:5

🔒 5. CLOSING THE CASE

Father, I thank You that this case is closed. Every demonic file with my name on it is now stamped with the blood of Jesus: PAID IN FULL. Every false witness is overruled. Every contract is canceled. Every demonic claim is dismissed.

I seal this prayer in the name of Jesus. I call for the enforcement of this judgment by Your warring angels. Let it be on earth as it is in Heaven. We seal this in the name your Son Jesus Christ of Nazereth Amen.