Gossip

As one of the 2.45 billion members who use Face book (that's billion with a B), I find no lack of habitual gossip on that social media site. Gossip weaves its way through various comments and posts on a regular basis. Recently I had a physical injury that kept me in bed and off the Internet. With that absence, I did not realize how much gossip plays a role when using that social media site until I signed back on 9 days later! I must have become numb to it or just psychologically decided to ignore it. I think as Christians we should be more aware of what we say and how we listen. Exodus 23:1 says, "Do not spread false reports. Do not help a guilty person by being a malicious witness." In other words, don't spread lies, and as a hearer, don't be a part of keeping those lies alive (gossiping). Gossip is defined as, casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details that are not confirmed as being true.


I can remember a time when peachers used to present sermons condemning gossip. We don’t hear too many sermons on gossip these days, but gossip still exists. One reason why people indulge in gossip is that they find a degree of enjoyment in discussing the faults of other people. We all know of someone who eats gossip up. Proverbs 26:22 EVS, "The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they do down into the inner parts of the body." Gossip is more than "talk." What we hear we ingest! What we ingest becomes us. TV newscasters have long known that juicy scandals make good news copy and sell newspapers. Why is the report of scandals pleasurable to them? I suspicion it's because it brings about an unconsciousness of their faults. Tearing down others makes them feel better about themselves. Many of us without psychology degrees understand this principle. Other people love to create a sensation, so they gossip in order to be at the center of attention. Likely there are other psychological mechanisms for gossip, but the basic reason is a lack of love. When we love people, we do not constantly pick out their character flaws.

King Solomon points out that: "Love covers a multitude of sins" (Proverbs 10:12; 1 Corinthians 13:7; 1 Peter 4:8). We don’t advertise the sins of people we love any more than we would advertise our own. If we truly love someone, we are slow to believe any wrong that is revealed about them until we look at the evidence. However, gossiping can be overcome! How? Consider the following example. Proverbs 26:20, "Where there is no wood, the fires go out; and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases." We can apply that scripture in this way, if an individual ever comes to you bringing words of gossip, simply tell them, “Since this matter is so important to you, let’s go and talk to the person or persons involved.” Nine times out of ten, the gossiper will suddenly vanish! No wood no fire. No talebearer no tale. It only makes sense that if there are no gossipy ears, there will be few gossipy tongues! Proverbs 11:13, " A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret."

So in closing, avoid gossip! Avoid talking or posting information on social networks that would stir arguments and debates. Stay away from such disputes. Remain silent and pray for Christians to stay firm and committed to Jesus in the midst of such a storm. Let your speech be ‘golden!’ Avoid offensive jibe, harsh language, coarse language, deceit, hurtful words, bitter words, boastful words, and cunning words. Let your words be pleasant! “Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones” (Proverbs 16:24). It requires an endless supply of energy, a massive amount of patience and iron will control our unbridled tongue in this world.

Until next time,
-Pat-