Gossip!

“A perverse man spreads strife, And a whisperer separates close companions.: Proverbs 16:28

It is easy to point out the sin in others while overlooking it in our lives. We can point to sins like murder, rape, robbery, homosexuality, adultery, and so on and give a pass to the “lesser sins.” There is one big problem with that way of thinking. All sin displeases God, even the “lesser” ones.

Paul writes to the church in Rome, “And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them over to an unfit mind, to do those things which are not proper, having been filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips,”( Romans 1:28-29). Do you notice that God mentions gossip right along  with wickedness and murder?  We might think that gossip does not belong in the same category as murder, but we would be wrong. Think about your own life and  how you have been hurt by malicious gossip.

The Hebrew word translated as “gossip” in the Old Testament is defined as “one who reveals secrets, one who goes about as a talebearer or scandal-monger.” An individual who has privileged information about people and proceeds to reveal that information to those who have no business knowing it is spreading gossip. Oxford defines gossip as “informal talk or stories about other   people’s private lives, which may be unkind or not true.”

Proverbs says, “A perverse man spreads strife,  And a whisperer separates close companions.”  We  need to guard our tongues and avoid spreading gossip. When you think someone is telling you gossip, there is one sure way to stop the conversation dead in its tracks: Ask the person telling you the information, “Why are you telling me this?”

When you are getting ready to tell someone something about another person, you need to ask yourself why you  are telling this to this individual. I have found that these two questions will stop gossip in its tracks.

Close friendships have been ruined over a misunderstanding that started with gossip. Those who  engage in this behavior do nothing but stir up trouble and cause anger, bitterness, and pain among friends. If you have an issue with a brother or sister in Christ go to that brother so you can make.

Your shepherd,

Pastor Mark