One Bible commentary puts it this way, “It is as hard to refuse to listen to rumors and gossip as it is to turn
down a delicious dessert” – and
it says also, “You can resist rumors the
same way a dieter resists candy—never
even open the box. If you don’t nibble on the first bite of gossip, you can’t
take the second...” I wonder about the comparison to desserts and candy that seem to speak
to one gender over the other. Suffice it to say, men are not that much into sweets!
That first bite of chocolate is all it takes, then we have one more,
and then another, and with each piece our resistance quotient grows smaller while our
desire for more increases.
The overindulgence in candy could hurt us eventually – we may put on too much weight. But when we indulge in gossip and rumor mongering we hurt both
ourselves and other people. Gossip causes conflict and sows discord—it damages reputations, makes people feel bad about themselves, it ruins relationships,
A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip
separates the best of friends. Proverbs 16:28. More importantly, God hates gossip.
There are six things
the Lord hates—no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands
that kill the innocent, a heart that
plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a
person who sows discord in a family. Proverbs
6: 16-19
The Bible uses several different terms for gossips including
backbiter,
busybody, slanderer, whisperer and talebearer – and all have an overtone
of malice. God is clear in His Word that gossips are ungodly and wicked, that
gossiping is a sin which should not be named among His children and has no place in His Kingdom.
Gossip is Unholy
When God gave Israel, His chosen people, instructions on “holiness
for personal conduct”, He said explicitly, “Do
not spread slanderous gossip among your people…” and the reason that preceded
all His instructions was “You must be
holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.” Leviticus 19
Gossips Makes God
Angry
People who engage in gossip can’t seem to stop and they
encourage others in the behavior.
Romans One names
a gossip among those with whom God is so angry that He abandons them to their foolish thinking and let them do
things that should never be done. Such people, Paul says, “know
God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they
do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.” Romans 1:28-32. Gossiping is reckless behavior that severely hurts our
relationship with God.
Gossips Hurt People
When the Apostle Paul gave Timothy instructions for
appointing Church leaders he was specific about what qualities Timothy must
look for and gossips were singled out among those that should never be considered.
“A church leader must be a man whose life
is above reproach; people outside the church must speak well of him; in the
same way, their wives must be respected and must not slander others. A gossip cannot be trusted and by association people they are close to also become suspect.
Older Christians, parents, grandparents, have a
responsibility to be good examples for young people. We are expected to live in a way that honors God. We must not
slander others. Titus 2:2-3
A child of God must avoid gossip at all costs.
To be continued…
Prayer and Thanksgiving: Righteous Father and One true God, we honor and glorify
your Holy Name, as you deserve no less. Father can’t thank you enough for all
the things you have done, for your goodness and mercy that follow us daily. Even
as we indulge in behavior that is unbecoming of a child that bears your name,
you give us a chance to get things right with you – you show us our wrongs and
how to make them right. Father forgive us for doing what you hate, forgive us
for grieving your Holy Spirit. Holy God
teach us to avoid idle talk and gossip, let everything we say be good and
helpful and our words encourage others and
not burden any. To you Holy one belong all dominion and power for ever and ever.
We pray and ask all things in the Name of Jesus. Amen.
Always by God’s Word and
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