Gossip

1. Gossip

2. A report (often malicious) about the behavior of other people. A person given to gossiping and divulging personal information about others (Word Web). A person who spreads rumors or idle, fruitless tales (Nelson’s Bible Dictionary). Slander, slanderer, tale bearer, informer (Strong’s Hebrew Dictonary)

3. Acts 23:12 And when it was day, some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. 13 Now there were more than forty who had formed this conspiracy. 14 They came to the chief priests and elders, and said, "We have bound ourselves under a great oath that we will eat nothing until we have killed Paul. 15 "Now you, therefore, together with the council, suggest to the commander that he be brought down to you tomorrow, as though you were going to make further inquiries concerning him; but we are ready to kill him before he comes near." 16 So when Paul's sister's son heard of their ambush, he went and entered the barracks and told Paul.

4. Genesis 37:2 This is the history of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers. And the lad was with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives; and Joseph brought a bad report of them to his father. 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. Also he made him a tunic of many colors. 4 But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him.

5. Psalm 41:7 All who hate me whisper together against me; Against me they devise my hurt. Matthew 11:18 "For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' 19 "The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' But wisdom is justified by her children."

6. Proverbs 16:28 A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends. Proverbs 10:18 Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, And whoever spreads slander is a fool. Acts 17:21 For all the Athenians and the foreigners who were there spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing. Proverbs 26:22 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.

7. Proverbs 20:19 He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.

8. Leviticus 19:16 '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

9. Romans 1:28 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.

10. 2 Corinthians 12:20 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; 21 lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced.

11. 1 Timothy 3:11 Likewise their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.

12. 1 Timothy 5:11 But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, 12 having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith. 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. 14 Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 15 For some have already turned aside after Satan..

13. First, you need to remind yourself how powerful and destructive your words can be. James 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!

14. Second, we need to recognize how gossip can be disguised. “Don’t quote me on this”“I probably shouldn’t say this”“I don’t like to talk about people but” “When in doubt, leave it out.” “If you don’t have anything good to say then don’t say anything at all.”

15. Third, gossip only brings temporary pleasure and is not worth jeopardizing our relationship with God.

16. Fourth, don’t forget to pray!

17. Fifth, questions we should ask ourselves. • What is my attitude in this situation? • Are my words being said because of anger, jealousy, pride or some other selfish motive? • Would I say this even if the person involved were listening? • Will my words improve the situation in anyway? • Will my words be hurtful or harmful in someway? • If the roles were reversed, would I want someone to repeat these words that I told them?

18. Ecclesiastes 10:20 Do not curse the king, even in your thought; Do not curse the rich, even in your bedroom; For a bird of the air may carry your voice, And a bird in flight may tell the matter.