Gossip

Let us talk a minute about a subject that many people really do not fully comprehend; gossip.  Many people (Christian included) gossip everyday and many truly believe that they are not gossiping.  Webster’s Dictionary defines gossip as “a person who habitually retails facts, rumors, or behind the scenes information of an intimate, personal, or sensational nature.”  Gossip as said by Webster’s “of an intimate, personal, or sensational nature” is also; allot of times, not true.  Even if it is and you are a Christian, the Bibles tell you how to act about the subject. 

PROV. 20:19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.  PROV. 11:13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.  1 TIM 5:13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

The Bible is direct on what it says about gossip but so many times people (Christians included) try to lift themselves up at the expense of others.  Another good verse for this subject is:

Exodus 20:16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor’s.  Still as I say this some gossips are sitting there saying “I don’t gossip, I know they need prayer so I’m just telling others”. 

If you are getting defensive about this than maybe, you should look at your motivation for passing this information on.  You need to really search your heart and ask God to show the truth, if you are doing it for his will and to help one of his children, or for your own gain.  When you do this there are a couple of verses to remember;

PSALM 139:4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, Lord, thou knowest it all together.

PROV 15:2-4 2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness 3 the eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good 4 the wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

Now sense he knows every word on our tongues, don’t you think he knows the reason behind the words? 

What are the effects of gossip?

JAMES 3:5-8 5 even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things Behold, how great a mater a little fire kindleth. 6 and the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire a course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, and of serpent, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind. 8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil full of deadly poison.  PROV. 25:23 The north wind drivith away rains, so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.  PROV 10:20 The tongue of the just is like choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.  PROV. 17:20 He that hath a forward heart findith no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue fallith into mischief. 

The Bible tells you what will happen; do you remember who is the great deceiver?  That is probably why we can’t see our faults in the area.  Satan has blinded us, slid one by us, or distracted us so we are not seeing the truth.  We can destroy people, our families, and worst of all God’s church and word by gossip.  If you have the unsaved children of God looking at us and seeing a bunch of backbiters, do you think they would be seeing a good example? NO! We need to show them the truth about what Christians should do.  To get the truth we need to turn to the only source of truth, God.  Ask God and he will let you know where we are faltering, but you must ask him with a humble heart. 

PROV. 21:6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death. 

We have the chance to lead the lost to Christ. 

PSALM 140:3 They have sharpened their tongues like serpent; adders’ poison is under their lips Selah. 

The more you gossip the better you get, the better you get the more damage you can do to someone or to God’s church.  Are we as Christians suppose to inflict damage on anyone of our own doing?  What do you think God would want?  We do have benefits of controlling our gossiping tongue.

PROV. 21:23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from trouble. 

The Bible tells us that we keep our souls from trouble.  If your soul has ever had trouble, this is enough in it is own to make it worth while.  You may ask, “What if I’m attacked verbally?”  

PSALM 39:1 I said I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.

We are to hold our tongues because that old saying still stands “two wrongs don’t make a right”.  Our tongue was not made to do these evil things; our tongue was made for one true purpose. 

PSALM 119:172 My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all the commandments are righteous. PHIL 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

We are to praise God with our tongue and do what is right in his eyes.  I want to strive to please him all the time I have on earth.  I know I will fail because I’m not perfect, but the more sinning I stop myself from doing though his power (like gossiping); the more I will please him.  That should be what we are all striving for, his glory, not ours.