![]() 19 When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. A malicious statement or reportĨ What is Gossip? Proverbs 10: He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool. Proverbs 12:23 A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself, but the heart of fools blurts out folly.ĥ What is Gossip? Simply talking about someone who is not present is not necessarily sinful Jesus talked about John the Baptist (Matt 11:7-19) Peter told about Cornelius’ conversion (Acts 11:1-18)Ħ What is Gossip? Telling unfavorable things about people not present is not always necessarily sinful Jesus warned His disciples about errors of the Pharisees (Matt 16:5-12) Paul warned Timothy of specific men who teach incorrect doctrine (2 Tim 2:16-18)ħ What is Gossip? Morsels of Gossip: Rumor- Unverified information of uncertain origin usually spread by word of mouth hearsay Slander- Defamatory statements that injure the reputation or thoughts about another person. But when we are willing to recognize the selfishness of that desire, we can repent of it and dedicate our mouths to the glory of God (Psalm 19:14).4 Gossip is so appealing! Proverbs 18:8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels they go down to a man's inmost parts. ![]() ![]() Our sinful natures enjoy possessing a juicy morsel of information that would gain us attention in the telling. If we are not part of the solution, and the person we are telling is not part of the solution, then the news is not ours to propagate. ![]() When we hear slanderous news, we should go to the source and check it out. We can break the “telephone” chain and refuse to pass it on. Proverbs 26:20 gives us the antidote for spreading rumors: “Without wood a fire goes out without a gossip a quarrel dies down.” We cannot stop all rumors, but we can refuse to participate in them. When this happens, it is nothing more than spreading rumors and can be destructive to individuals and churches. A prayer chain can become a real-life example of the party game “Telephone,” with the last person on the prayer chain receiving information that bears little resemblance to the original request. However, many times prayer chains become excuses for speculation and rumor as the story grows with each telling. They can be useful if the information shared is general knowledge and those informed will truly pray. In Christian circles, spreading rumors has an ally in the guise of the “prayer chain.” Prayer chains are ways that local churches inform other members of prayer needs within that body. Those kinds of tidbits let us compare ourselves favorably with the ones gossiped about, and we feel more satisfied with our own lives. That kind of information is not a “choice morsel.” Instead, we perk up when we hear that someone’s son cheated his way onto the honor roll, that a friend’s spouse only pretends to be kind and devoted because he is having an affair, or that the Joneses blew their retirement to take that luxury cruise. We don’t hear rumors that someone’s son worked hard to make the honor roll again, a friend’s spouse is kind and devoted, or that the Joneses saved for ten years to take that luxury cruise. We rarely hear rumors that exalt someone’s reputation. When we learn “the real reason” someone did something, we can alter our opinion of him or her and make ourselves feel better by comparison. Jealousy is often the root of spreading rumors. So why do we enjoy the rumor mill? Proverbs 26:22 gives one reason: “The words of a gossip are like choice morsels they go down to the inmost parts.” There is a delicious thrill in hearing scandalous information about someone we know or wish we knew. And Proverbs 17:4 implies that those who eagerly listen to gossip have low character. First Timothy 5:13 sternly warns against using idle time to spread slander. Spreading rumors is so repulsive in the Lord’s sight that He made a prohibition against it in the Law He gave to the Israelites (Leviticus 19:16). The Bible often includes gossip in lists of specific evils (e.g., 2 Corinthians 12:20 Romans 1:29). God desires that we use our words to praise Him (Psalm 34:1), to speak wisdom (Proverbs 10:13), and to encourage and edify each other (1 Thessalonians 5:11 Ephesians 4:29). James 3:2–12 instructs us to control our words, stating in verse 5: “Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.” Spreading “harmless” rumors, then, can cause great destruction. They can build up or destroy (Proverbs 18:21). Proverbs 20:19 says, “A gossip betrays a confidence so avoid anyone who talks too much.” Words are powerful. Scripture warns against spreading rumors and those who engage in gossip. Rumors are also known as gossip, and the Bible has a lot to say about that. Rumors may or may not contain elements of truth, but their veracity is anyone’s guess-rumors carry no factual certainty. A rumor is an unconfirmed, widely spread story or statement.
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