WHAT IS WRONG WITH GOSSIP

What is gossip? Though the word “gossip” does not appear in the Bible, the concept does. Funk and Wagnall’s Dictionary defines gossip as “idle talk or malicious talk about others.” Gossip is second or third hand information that someone dumps on you without your prior consent and without the consent of the person being gossiped about. Gossip is not just a bad habit. Unfortunately, some Christians do not usually consider gossip and its related activity as sin. However, gossip is a seething disease of corruption from the mouth. Gossips use their mouth as a weapon…a weapon that is always aimed at people to fulfill Satan’s desire to “steal, kill and destroy.” (John 10:10) NIV

What is a busybody? A “busybody” is a close relative to gossip…a person who meddles in the affairs of others The Bible places a busybody in the same company as murderers, thieves, and evildoers. “But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evil doer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.” (1 Peter 4:15) KJV Gossip is an enemy to God and everything holy-----a cancer that spreads a deadly infection to the body of Christ. Gossip always distorts and exaggerates and is never a reliable source of truth.

Slander is a word that has an interesting origin. It comes from the word “devil.” According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, slander means: “malicious talk, to spread damaging information, to defame, and to speak evil of others.” Slander is the work of Satan and those who slander are on his team. The Bible says that Satan is called the “accuser of the brethren.” (Revelation 12:10) KJV The Bible defines slander as accusatory speech that is injurious to a person’s “name” and “reputation”…the act of smearing someone. Gossip and slander color people’s perceptions of an individual unfairly and unjustly without their knowledge or consent.

Gossip is the most deadly poison on earth.  Like bullets fired from a gun, words cannot be taken back. Gossip and slander can ruin reputations, families, break up marriages, separate friends, destroy communities and even divide churches. One of the hallmark qualities of a true friend is someone who refuses to gossip about you behind your back. Talebearers usually avoid speaking directly to the one they are demeaning. Have you ever noticed the speech that “tears down others” travels like a brush fire, but news of repentance and restoration seems to move along at a “snail’s pace?” As believers, we should avoid all association with persons who gossips. Apostle Paul wrote, “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” (Ephesians 5:11) NIV

We need to think before we speak. Is it true, is it helpful, is it inspiring, is it necessary, and is it kind? If what we are about to say does not pass these tests, we should keep silent. “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) KJV The root of both gossip and slander is simply this: saying something about someone that ought not to be said.