“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.”—I Timothy 5:13
When people spread rumors
or tell other people about the personal details of other’s lives especially maliciously,
this is called gossip, and God hates gossip.
He wants our speech to be pleasing to Him. He certainly does not
consider idle talk or mean-spirited words pleasant, “But now you yourselves are to put off all
these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth” (Colossians 3:8).
Gossip is practiced so freely that even some
believers participate and then try to justify their conversation with excuses. An
excuse that I hear quite often is, “I am only telling you this so that you can
pray.”
Another closely associated one often used by intercessors is, “We
have to talk about the situation so that we can get the understanding of what
we are to pray about.” But hearsay has
no place in a Christian’s life. Romans chapter
1 contains one of the Bible’s longest lists of sins. The book’s author, the Apostle
Paul, is reminding believers that God has revealed Himself to all mankind.
Those who reject Him and pursue after idols are turned over to their evil
worship and the immoral practices that go with serving self.
“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; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality,
wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit,
evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God,
violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient” (Romans 1:
28-31-emphasis added).
Notice that Gossip appears in
the middle of the list. God despises it because malicious talk destroys lives
whether the stories are true or false. The person who is targeted by the rumor
often loses the respect of those who listen to it. Hurt feelings may not be the
only negative effect. A job or
relationship could be lost as well. The following is a poem by an unknown
author.
My
Name is Gossip. I have no respect for
justice. I maim without killing. I break hearts and ruin lives. I am cunning and malicious and gather strength
with age.
The
more I am quoted the more I am believed.
I flourish at every level of society. My victims are helpless. They cannot protect themselves against me
because I have no name and no face.
To
track me down is impossible. The harder
you try, the more elusive I become. I am nobody’s friend. Once I tarnish a
reputation, it is never the same. I topple governments and ruin marriages. I
ruin careers and cause sleepless nights, heartache and indigestion. I spawn
suspicion and generate grief.
I
make innocent people cry in their pillows. Even my name hisses. i am
gossip.
This enlightening poem helps us
to understand the damage done through gossip.
Another phrase that I heard a lot as a child was, “Sticks and stone may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” While
I flung this phrase back into the face of those who were taunting me at the
time, I knew in my heart that this was not true. While this appears to be a useful attitude to
take when insulted by others, reciting this phrase does not take the hurt away.
Those spreading tales also face destructive consequences. People who refuse to control the tongue reveal evil motives or, at the very least, lack of discipline. As a result, believers and unbelievers will often avoid such untrustworthy individuals. For a Christian who spreads rumors, there is potential for even worse damage, in that such actions can harm fellowship with the Lord. Animosity toward another person and intimacy with God cannot coexist in the same heart.
Those spreading tales also face destructive consequences. People who refuse to control the tongue reveal evil motives or, at the very least, lack of discipline. As a result, believers and unbelievers will often avoid such untrustworthy individuals. For a Christian who spreads rumors, there is potential for even worse damage, in that such actions can harm fellowship with the Lord. Animosity toward another person and intimacy with God cannot coexist in the same heart.
Gossip achieves no good in anyone’s life, which is why the Lord warns against it. Gossiping has power to destroy another person’s life because it places a curse on the other person. These evil words are used as arrows by the enemy to assault another person. As Christians, we cannot practice witchcraft and partake of the Lord’s Table. Instead, our words should build up, comfort, and encourage others.
Words carry great power. God created the world through His words. He said, “Let
there be light,” and there was light.
We, as humans also use words to communicate. Words communicate what is in the heart of the
person speaking. “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil
man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance
of the heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45).
Today, determine in your heart
that your words will be positive and will lift up and bring healing to yourself
and others.
Prayer—Father
I repent for gossiping and listening to gossip and I ask you to forgive
me. Today I purpose in my heart to say
words that are full of grace and truth that will lift others and not do damage,
in Jesus Name. Amen.
