The tongue can be deadly. It has probably killed more peoples reputation than guns have killed people. Today, we will explore the life cycle of gossip.
The Beginning of Gossip
- Romans 16:17
- 2 Timothy 4:14-15
Concern about the spiritual welfare of the brethren is what is being dealt with in these passages.
- Matthew 18:15-17
When those who are publicly professing error it is right to mark them. Gossip is telling or listening to something uncomplimentary about another person with the intent of harm.
When Gossip is for Entertainment Purposes
- Philippians 4:8
This attitude of entertainment drives a whole industry of magazine publishers. It’s entertaining to tell the faults of those who are famous. It is gossip.
When Gossip is Used in order to Build up One’s Own Ego
We must strive that when we speak about others it is not to make ourselves appear better than the other person.
- Proverbs 12:17-19
- Proverbs 24:28
- Proverbs 27:2
We are gossiping when we tell things about others in order to build ourselves up.
When Gossip is Used To Seek Revenge
- Matthew 18:15
The one who gossips would rather get something on the other person in order to have revenge.
- Romans 12:19
We are not to avenge ourselves. Vengeance belongs to God. Therefore, we should not use gossip to seek revenge.
It is Gossip when we Tell or Listen out of Spite
We don’t like someone, so we’d rather tell or listen to someone out of spite. We need to learn that our actions show our true intentions.
- Proverbs 10:18
- Proverbs 26:17
- Proverbs 26:10
- Proverbs 15:1-2
It’s gossip when we tell tales for spite.
It’s Gossip when Talking about Others Because of Idleness
- 1 Timothy 5:13
Some think they are being newsy, when in fact they are being nosy. They think they are passing time, but rather, they are wasting time, their own and the one who is listening.
The Middle of Gossip
Gossip never stays where it starts.
Gossip perpetuates lies that ought to have died. The majority of rumors are usually false. Anything repeated several times are often distorted. We should disallow hurtful rumors so that it will die.
- Proverbs 26:20
- Proverbs 17:4
- Proverbs 13:5
- Proverbs 20:19
It perpetuates lies, and assassinates character.
When we participate in ruining someone’s good name we take away their great riches.
- Proverbs 22:1
Gossip not only ruins a person, but can also ruin an entire congregation. It may take a lifetime to build a reputation that is good. But, one rumor, one piece of gossip, can tear down that reputation.
Gossip is typically one-sided.
- Proverbs 18:17
Let’s be careful what we say and what we hear.
Gossip Shows a Lack of Love
- James 3:7-12
Gossip reveals a lack of love. One can’t smear a brother, or sister, and love them at the same time.
Gossip Ruins Friendships
- Proverbs 16:28
- Proverbs 17:9
Rumor, gossip ruins fellowship within a congregation and between congregations. We need to be careful and not give in to gossip or trade in gossip.
The End of Gossip
Where does gossip end? Gossip can only be stopped if we stop it.
We can stop it by exposing the gossiper.
- Proverbs 10:31
- Proverbs 27:5
We must call out those who are gossiping.
We Can end Gossip by Demanding Proof.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22
- Proverbs 18:13
We ought to demand proof. The telling of an ugly story is like signing a check. If it fails, you are required to prove payment.
- Proverbs 17:4
If all would quit hearing gossip, then it would stop. There is no reason to perpetuate gossip
- 2 Corinthians 13:1
Questions to Ask Yourself Before Speaking about Someone Else
- Were you and I witness?
- Are you willing to assume responsibility for the things you say?
- Are you able to provide proof?
- Can you provide witnesses?
- Can you corroborate what you are saying?
- Can you assume the person is innocent until proven guilty.
- Are you willing to allow the person to defend themselves?
- Are you guided by the golden rule?
- Have you endeavored to rescue the person you are accusing?
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- 2 Corinthians 13:1
- 1 Corinthians 13:5,6
- Galatians 6:1
A gossip will rejoice in iniquity rather than rejoicing in truth.
- Matthew 7:12
The Life Cycle of Gossip
It is gossip when...
- we tell or listen with an attitude of entertainment
- We tell or listen to build up our own ego
- When we tell or listen to get revenge or out of spite
- just to have something to say
What Gossip Does…
- it perpetuates lies that should have died
- it assassinates characters
- it reveals a lack of love
- it destroys friendships and fellowship
How can we stop gossip?
Ask the following questions…
- expose those that are involved in it
- demand proof
- quit listening
- ask the following questions...
- Are you an eye witness?
- Are you willing to assume responsibility?
- Can you name witnesses?
- Do you believe in innocent until proven guilty?
- Are you willing to tell the story in the presence of the one you are talking about?
- Are you motivated by love?
- Have you tried to restore the one you are talking about?
All of these things are what we need to consider before we tell something about another person. We need to remember that our words are an index of our character.
- Matthew 12:34-37
In other words what is in the well is what comes up in the bucket. If the well is dirty, what comes up is water. We need to remember that the one who judges us, knows our character and what we are truly like.
We need to remember that the one who judges us, knows our character and what we are truly like.
- Proverbs 6:16-19
He that speaks lies, and sows discord… is what a gossiper does. They speak things that they don't know to be true and sow discord.
So may God help us to use our tongues wisely. We need to examine ourselves. Are you guilty of gossip? Have you said or listened to things for the wrong reasons?
If you are guilty of the sin of gossip you should repent of that sin.
If you are not a child of God you are still guilty in your sin. Only by hearing and believing the word of God and confessing our belief and repenting of our sin and being baptized to have our sins washed away can we be made cleansed from our sins. Jesus took on our sins, the iniquity of us all so that we can be cleansed from our sin.
You can make your life right. You can repent from your sins, and be restored to a right relationship with God.
Jack McNiel, Evangelist
