Backbiting is a destructive and damaging sin. Don’t be a backbiter; use self-control to take control of the things you say about others. The act of backbiting is not an act of love!

Backbiting is Backstabbing and It Does Not Show Love!

STM Bible Snack

Are you backbiting? Child of God you must be aware and mindful of the things you say about and to others. A person that backbites/backstabs is not showing the love of God. Backbiting is saying hurtful, insulting, unkind, or evil things about a person or people when they are not there. If you listen to someone who talks about another person (behind their back) are you also guilty of backbiting?

Backbiting is a destructive and damaging sin, similar to—but different from slander and gossip. It is the ‘filthy communication’ spoken of in Colossians 3:8. ‘Backbiters’ is listed as one of the sins of those with a reprobate/depraved/corrupt mind.

Romans 1:30 [read Romans 1:18-32 (30)]

They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. (NLT)

KJV: Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

A problem in the church

Backbiting is part of the corrupt/evil speaking series. It is connected with slander and gossip. FYI: backbiteth, backbiting, backbiters, and backbitings are found once (each) in the KJV.

2 Corinthians 12:20-21 [read 14-21 ()]

for I am afraid that perhaps, when I come, I may find that you are not what I want you to be, and, on the other hand, that you may find that I am what you do not want me to be. I am afraid that I may find quarreling, jealousy, ill feeling, rivalry, slandering, backbiting, self-assertion, and disorder. (OEBus)

KJV: For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:

Webster’s definition of backbiting is secret slander; detraction ¹. The act of taking away from the reputation or good name of another.

G2636 – The Greek word for backbitings here is καταλαλία katalalia (kat-al-al-ee’-ah) n. 1. defamation 2. evil-speaking, detraction, backbiting, slandering. Katalalia is also found in 1 Peter 2:1 (KJV translates as ‘evil speaking’).

A backbiter is no better then a serpent that stingeth without hissing [Ecclesiastes 10:11 (Bishops)].

Backstabbing does not show love!

Your life in Christ is one of genuine love for each other. Always show that love from your heart (1 Peter 1:20). A Christian should not be a backstabber. It is an act of hate.

1 Peter 2:1 [read 1 Peter 1:22-2:3 (2:1)]

So get rid of your feelings of hatred. Don’t just pretend to be good! Be done with dishonesty and jealousy and talking about others behind their backs. (TLB)

KJV: Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, all evil speakings,

Causes anger

Proverbs 25:23 [read Proverbs 25:23]

As surely as rain blows in from the north, anger is caused by cruel words. (CEV)

KJV: The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.

Whether we speak evil of a man to his face or behind his back; the former way, indeed, seems to be the most generous, but yet is a great fault, and that which we call reviling;” the latter is more mean and base, and that which we properly call slander”, or Backbiting.” Tillotson

Backbiting wrap-up

Ephesians 4:29 [read Ephesians 4:25-32 (29)]

Don’t let any evil talk come out of your mouths. Say only what will help to build others up and meet their needs. Then what you say will help those who listen (NIRV).

KJV: 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.

Ephesians 4:31-32 [read Ephesians 4:25-32 (31-32)]

So, put away from you all [kinds of] bitterness and anger and wrath and brawling and slander, along with all [kinds of] malice [i.e., bad attitudes], 32 and be kind and compassionate toward one another, forgiving each other, just as God also forgave you [because of your fellowship] in Christ.

KJV: Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Don’t be a backbiter

Consider this for a final thought, James warns that the tongue “…is the power of evil placed in our bodies, making all the body unclean…” James 3:6 (BBE). “Praise and curses come from the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, this should not happen!” James 3:10 (GW).

Don’t be a backbiter/backstabber, use self-control to take control of your tongue and the things you say about others. Say things that encourage, use words that help and inspire. Backbiting is not a loving act it is a sinful act of hate.

Thank you for taking the time to read this Bible snack. I urge you to make full use of it. Blessings to you and your loved ones—♥ Tim. ☺

Related studies/lessons/snacks for further spiritual growth:

Gossip – Are Your Words Helpful and Good or Hurtful? – an estimated 16-minute read.

Slander – An Act of Hate and Not of Love – an estimated 25-minute read.

3 Of The Best Reasons To Control Your Actions – an estimated 7-minute read.

Self-control; Take Control Now with This Gift From God – an estimated 19-minute read.

Control; Learn How To Handle Yourself In Better Ways! – an estimated 6-minute read.

See what is the latest on the Sound Truth Ministry website.

I look forward to your feedback via comment at the bottom of the page or by emailing tim@stministry.com. Have a fantabulous day!