Gossip!

A friend who reads these devotions has requested a devotion on gossip and it's effects. So what I want to do is list several scriptures that deal with gossip and make a few comments. I am a believer that God's Word pretty well says it best so that is what we will concentrate on!



Let's start in the old testament:



Leviticus 19:16

16 You shall not go about as a talebearer among your people;

nor shall you take a stand against the life of your neighbor: I am the LORD.



A talebearer is a gossiper. God makes it abundandtly clear to his people, not to be one of these type of people. One of the main reasons for this is it destroys unity among the people.



Proverbs 16:28

28 A perverse man sows strife,

And a whisperer separates the best of friends.



God even tells us here that a person who sows strife or gossips is perverse! Wow think about that! Then God tells us in the second part of the verse that speaking behind someone's back will break friendships even among best friends...that should really make us think before we open our lips!



Proverbs 20:19

19 He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets;

Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.



Here is a straight forward warning from God to stay away from gossipers! I am a firm believer that in a church if one has a problem with spreading gossip it needs to be addressed with love. Because it will tear apart a church if allowed.



Proverbs 11:13

13 A talebearer reveals secrets,

But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.



God tells us here that if we are faithful we will conceal things not spread things....so maybe we better check our faith if we are not able to keep our mouths shut!



Now a couple from the New Testament:



1 Timothy 5:13

13 And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house,

and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies,

saying things which they ought not.



As usual Paul is straight to the point. Saying things we ought not to...gossiping. I want you also to catch the first part of the verse...they learn to be idle! If folks would stay busy serving the Lord, we wouldn't have time to talk about others!



Romans 1:28-32

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.



This should grab out attention! This verse ie referring to gentiles. You and I! Look at the sins listed here. Do you see backbiters and whisperers? Gossiping is a serious thing....sin! Read the whole verse again and catch the consequences and what God thinks about this sin!



2 Corinthians 12:20

20 For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults;



Paul is warning the Corinthian church here that he hopes he does not find these things when he visits...so will Christ find these things in our church when he returns???



I hope this speaks to you as it has me. Share it with your church...gossip is sin and will destroy if allowed to do so. It really comes down to what Christ commands us to do....love one another not talk about one another!



Tom