The Bible advises respect for others, even those who have passed away. It encourages avoiding negative speech about the dead, showing that respect should continue beyond life.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Death
What Does The Bible Say About Speaking Ill Of The Dead
Proverbs 10:18
“Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool.”
This verse cautions against spreading slander or speaking ill of others, even after their death. It reminds us that such actions come from a heart filled with hatred and foolishness.
Ecclesiastes 7:1
“A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth.”
This verse highlights the importance of preserving a good reputation and honoring others, even in death. It teaches us to value and remember the positive aspects of a person’s life rather than focusing on their faults or shortcomings.
Proverbs 11:9
“With their mouths, the godless destroy their neighbors, but through knowledge the righteous escape.”
This verse emphasizes the destructive power of speaking ill and spreading rumors about others. It encourages us to seek wisdom and knowledge so that we may refrain from participating in harmful conversations.
Matthew 5:22
“But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.”
This verse warns against using derogatory or insulting language towards others, whether they are alive or deceased. It reminds us of the seriousness with which God views our words and encourages us to speak with love and kindness.
James 4:11
“Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.”
This verse reminds us to refrain from speaking ill of others, even if they are no longer alive. It calls us to live in harmony and unity with our fellow believers, avoiding slander and judgment.
Psalm 101:5
“Whoever slanders their neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not tolerate.”
This verse reassures us that God will not tolerate slander or arrogance. It serves as a reminder to guard our tongues and hearts, showing respect and love towards others, both in life and in death.
Matthew 7:12
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
This verse, commonly known as the golden rule, encourages us to treat others with kindness and respect. It serves as a guiding principle for our words and actions, reminding us to speak of the deceased as we would want others to speak of us.
Proverbs 25:9
“If you take your neighbor to court, do not betray another’s confidence.”
This verse reminds us to uphold trust and confidentiality, even in difficult situations. It applies to our interactions with others, even after their death, urging us to refrain from revealing their private matters or speaking ill of them in any context.
Ezekiel 36:3
“Therefore prophesy and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because they ravaged and crushed you from every side so that you became the possession of the rest of the nations and the object of people’s malicious talk and slander.”
This verse acknowledges the harm caused by slander and malicious talk. It serves as a reminder to be mindful of our words and the impact they can have on others, both in life and in death.
1 Peter 3:9
“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this, you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
This verse encourages us to respond to negativity and insult with kindness and blessings. It reminds us to rise above the temptation to speak ill of others, instead showing love and grace even in difficult circumstances.
Proverbs 14:21
“Whoever despises a neighbor sins, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.”
This verse reminds us of the importance of kindness and compassion towards others. It cautions against despising our neighbors, including both the living and the deceased, and encourages us to be a source of blessing and support.
Luke 6:28
“Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”
This verse teaches us to respond to mistreatment and curses with blessings and prayers. It reminds us of the power of love and forgiveness, even in the face of adversity, both in life and in death.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
This well-known passage describes the characteristics of love. It reminds us to embody these qualities, even when speaking of the deceased, showing grace, and honoring their memory with kindness and respect.
Proverbs 17:9
“Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.”
This verse highlights the importance of preserving unity and friendship by covering over offenses and avoiding gossip. It encourages us to apply this principle, even in death, by refraining from speaking ill of others and focusing on forgiveness and reconciliation.
James 1:19-20
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”
This verse reminds us of the importance of exercising self-control, especially in our speech. It encourages us to listen attentively, refrain from quick judgment, and avoid speaking ill of others, whether they are alive or deceased.
Proverbs 26:20
“Without wood, a fire goes out; without a gossip, a quarrel dies down.”
This verse illustrates the power of gossip and its potential to ignite conflict. It reminds us of the destructive nature of speaking ill of others, urging us to extinguish such behaviors and choose peace instead.
Colossians 3:8
“But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.”
This verse encourages us to eliminate negativity and harmful speech from our lives. It reminds us to speak words that honor others, both living and deceased, and to refrain from indulging in slander or malicious talk.
Proverbs 19:11
“A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”
This verse calls us to exercise patience and wisdom, even in the face of offenses. It teaches us to choose the higher path of forgiveness and overlook the faults of others, promoting harmony and respect, both in life and death.
Titus 3:2
“to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.”
This verse instructs us to avoid slander and instead cultivate a spirit of peace, consideration, and gentleness towards everyone, including those who have passed away. It reminds us to choose our words wisely, reflecting the love of Christ.
Proverbs 6:16-19
“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.”
This verse lists the things that God detests, including a lying tongue and a heart that devises wicked schemes. It reminds us of the importance of speaking truthfully and refraining from slander or conflict, both in life and when speaking of the deceased.
Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law.”
This verse encompasses the qualities that the Holy Spirit cultivates within us. It encourages us to exemplify these traits, including kindness and self-control when speaking of others, either in life or after their passing.
Proverbs 10:18-19
“Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool. Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.”
This verse warns against the foolishness of spreading slander and engaging in malicious speech. It reminds us of the importance of prudence and self-restraint, urging us to refrain from speaking ill of others, even when tempted to do so.
Romans 14:10
“You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.”
This verse questions the tendency to judge and treat others with contempt. It reminds us that we will all face judgment before God, urging us to focus on our own conduct and to refrain from speaking ill of others, even in death.
Psalms 34:13
“Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.”
This verse encourages us to guard our speech and refrain from spreading falsehoods or speaking ill of others. It reminds us to use our words to edify and bless others, both in life and in death.
James 3:8-10
“But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue, we praise our Lord and Father, and with it, we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.”
This verse speaks to the power of our words and the importance of using them wisely. It reminds us to avoid using our tongues to curse or speak ill of others, emphasizing the need for consistency in our speech, both in life and when remembering the deceased.