The Sin of Gossip

 

What is gossip?

The Free Dictionary says:

1. casual and idle chat: to have a gossip with a friend.
2. a conversation involving malicious chatter or rumours about other people: a gossip about the neighbours.
3. Also called: gossipmonger a person who habitually talks about others, esp maliciously

When we think of sin – we don’t usually think about gossip as being “that big of a deal.” “Everyone does it,” right? “It’s unavoidable.”

But what does God think about gossip?

From www.openbible.com – verses about gossip (ESV):

 

  • Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Eph. 4:29 
  • A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends. Prov. 16:28
  • There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers. Prov. 6:16-19
  • Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. Prov. 21:23
  • Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler. Prov. 20:19
  • If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. James 1:26
  • To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. Titus 3:2
  • Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly I will destroy. Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure. Ps. 101:5
  • I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, Matt. 12:36
  • Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered. Prov. 11:13
  • Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. James 4:11
  • For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases. Prov. 26:20
  • But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, 2 Tim. 2:16
  • Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not. 1 Tim. 5:13
  • They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, Rom. 1:29
  • But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. James 3:8
  • Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Phil. 4:8
  • For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. 2 Cor. 12:20
  • And to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 1 Thess. 4:11
  • Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Eph. 4:31

 

I have a video on Youtube about gossip that I made this week. I think you might find it to be challenging, interesting and hopefully inspiring – that God is able to give us victory over this sin by His Spirit working in our lives.

 

https://youtu.be/Ae8h862Ht9w