Answers
How do I stop gossiping and speaking badly of people?
Put one gate in front of every sentence about a person who is not present: would I say this with them standing here, and does the hearer need it to help or to protect? If neither, it is gossip however true it is. The tongue is small and sets fires, and no one ever became holy by accident in this area — it takes a decided, daily refusal.
Go and see for yourself
Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
James 3:5
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Proverbs 18:21
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 4:29