What’s Wrong with Gossip?
Everyone likes a good story, right? Well, not
necessarily. What about the person the story is about? Does that
person like the story? Probably not. Spreading rumors only hurts
others and destroys our credibility. Who is going to trust us with
anything when they think we’ll tell everyone else?
Gossip is also a way we judge others, which
really isn’t our job. God is in charge of judging people, not us.
Gossip really only ends up creating greed, hate, envy, murder.
Gossip is also a sign that we are not really
active in our faith and in our lives. If you think about it, the
busier we are, the less time we have to gossip. We no longer have
the time to get wrapped up in someone else’s life. Gossip is bred
out of boredom.
It may start as a simple conversation about
people, and then escalates quickly. The Bible clearly tells us to do
more than discuss other people’s lives.
Leviticus 19:16 – “Do not go about
spreading slander among your people. Do not do anything that
endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the Lord.”
(NIV)
Proverbs 11:13 – “A gossip betrays a
confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.”
(NIV)
Romans 1:29 – “They have become filled with
every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full
of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips.”
(NIV)
1 Timothy 5:13 – “Besides, they get into
the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not
only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying
things they ought not to.”
(NIV)
Matthew 7:1 – “Do not judge, or you too
will be judged.”
(NIV)
Proverbs 18:8 – “The words of gossip are
like choice morsels; they go down to a man’s inmost parts.”
(NIV)
So What Do I Do About Gossip?
First, if you catch yourself falling into
gossip – stop. If you don’t passon the gossip there is nowhere for
it to go. This includes gossip magazines and television. While it
may not seem as “sinful” to read those magazines, you are
contributing to gossip.
Also, when you are faced with a statement that
may or may not be gossip, check out the facts. For instance, if you
hear someone has an eating disorder, go to the person. If you don’t
feel comfortable talking to the person yourself, and the rumor is
something serious, you may want to go to a parent, pastor, or youth
leader. Getting someone to help in a serious situation is not gossip
as long as the information stays with you and the person you go to
for help.
If you want to avoid gossip, focus on creating
helpful and encouraging statements. Let the gossip and end with you
and remember the Golden Rule – if you don’t want people to gossip
about you, then don’t participate in gossip.
Proverbs 26:20 – “Without wood a fire goes
out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.”
(NIV)
Deuteronomy 13:14 – “Then you must inquire,
probe and investigate it thoroughly.”
(NIV)
Matthew 7:12 – “So in everything, do to
others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law
and the Prophets.”
(NIV)
Ephesians 4:29 – “Do not let any
unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful
for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit
those who listen.”
(NIV)
