Complete Bible Study Guide
What Does the Bible Say About Hurtful Words?
17 Scripture references with full text and commentary
Understanding Hurtful Words in the Bible
Discover 18 powerful Bible verses about hurtful words. Study what Scripture teaches about this essential character & virtues topic.
Top 10 Verses About Hurtful Words
- 1Psalms 19:14
“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. strength: Heb. rock”
KJV - 2
- 3Psalms 51:10
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. right: or, constant”
KJV - 4Proverbs 11:9
“An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.”
KJV - 5Proverbs 12:18
“There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.”
KJV - 6
- 7Proverbs 15:4
“A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. A wholesome: Heb. The healing of the tongue”
KJV - 8
- 9Proverbs 18:21
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
KJV - 10
Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Hurtful Words? (10 Verses)
“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. strength: Heb. rock”
“Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.”
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. right: or, constant”
“An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.”
“There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.”
“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”
“A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. A wholesome: Heb. The healing of the tongue”
“Pleasant words are as an honeycomb , sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
“Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.”
New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Hurtful Words? (7 Verses)
“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.”
“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:”
“And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:”
“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.”
“Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.”
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. to: or, to edify profitably”
“If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.”
How to Study What the Bible Says About Hurtful Words
- 1
Begin by reading through every verse listed on this page, noting which ones speak most directly to your current season of life. Write them down and revisit them throughout the week.
- 2
Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about hurtful words. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.
- 3
Study the context of each verse. Read the surrounding chapter to understand who was speaking, who the audience was, and what circumstances prompted the passage. Context prevents misapplication.
- 4
Memorise at least one key verse about hurtful words and meditate on it daily. Scripture memory transforms thinking and equips you to apply God's Word in real-time situations.
Practical Application
Studying what the Bible says about hurtful words is only the beginning. Scripture is meant to be lived out in daily obedience and faith. Here are practical steps to apply these truths:
Identify one area of your life where the biblical teaching on hurtful words needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.
Share what you have learned about hurtful words with a fellow believer or in a small group setting. Teaching others solidifies your own understanding and encourages mutual growth.
Pray through the key verses about hurtful words, asking God to reveal how His Word applies to your relationships, decisions, and daily habits.
How Well Do You Know What the Bible Says About Hurtful Words?
You have studied 17 verses about hurtful words. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.