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Here are a couple of interesting words found in scripture. Two words that carry a lot of impact in our lives. Lets examine them individually and just see what they entail. The first thought that comes to mind is that these words are in the form of warnings. Just what is gossip? What does gossip do? Since these words are listed as a warning of something to avoid, then why do we do so much of it?
Here are a couple of interesting words found in scripture. Two words that carry a lot of impact in our lives. Lets examine them individually and just see what they entail. The first thought that comes to mind is that these words are in the form of warnings. Just what is gossip? What does gossip do? Since these words are listed as a warning of something to avoid, then why do we do so much of it?
Lets take a look at the definition of gossip from Merriam-Websters online dictionary:
1gos·sip
Pronunciation: \ˈgä-səp\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English gossib, from Old English godsibb, from god god + sibb kinsman, fromsibb related — more at sib
Date: before 12th century
1 a dialect British : godparent b : companion, crony c : a person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts about others 2 a : rumor or report of an intimate nature b : a chatty talk c : the subject matter of gossip.
A person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts about others. A rumor or report of an intimate nature, chatty talk. In other words we get on the phone, or via e-mail, or going person to person, talk with friends, neighbors, co-workers, people in our community, church, and where ever anyone will listen and begin to spread rumors and/or hurtful information with the intent of bringing harm to someone by stretching the truth or distorting facts. Gossip is easily recognized because there is no good thing said about the person you are spreading information about even if it is the truth.
Now lets look at the scriptural definition of gossip, and then consider why we need to take to heart what the scripture says about it.
Gossips (whisperers, secret slanderers) (5588) (psithuristes) is found only here in the NT and describes an evil tongue which secretly conveys information, whether true or false and which is detrimental to the character or welfare of others. This is the man or woman who pours their poison against their neighbor by whispering into the ear.
Haldane writes that...
The person spoken against may as well be absent. It refers to that sort of evil speaking which is communicated in secret, and not spoken in society. It is called whispering, not from the tone of the voice, but from the secrecy. It is common to speak of a thing being whispered, not from being communicated in a low voice, but from being privately spoken to individuals. It refers to sowing divisions. It is one of the most frequent and injurious methods of calumny (a misrepresentation intended to blacken another’s reputation), because, on the one hand, the whisperer escapes conviction of falsehood, and, on the other, the accused has no means of repelling the secret calumny. (Haldane, R. An exposition of Romans)
Barclay adds that whisperers (gossips) (Psithuristes) and slanderers (katalalos)"both describe people with slanderous tongues; but there is a difference between them. Katalalos, slanderer,describes the man who trumpets his slanders abroad; he quite openly makes his accusations and tells his tales whereas Psithuristes describes the man who whispers his malicious stories in the listeners ear, who takes a man apart into a corner and whispers a character-destroying story. Both are bad, but the whisperer is the worse. A man can at least defend himself against an open slander, but he is helpless against the secret whisperer who delights in destroying reputations.
Here are some scriptures that speak about gossip and why it is important for us to heed to these words of advice.
Proverbs 6:16-19 There are six things which the LORD hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: 1.Haughty eyes, 2. a lying tongue, And 3. hands that shed innocent blood, 4. A heart that devises wicked plans, 5. Feet that run rapidly to evil, 6. A false witness who utters lies, And 7. one who spreads strife among brothers. (Notice that the one who spreads strife is different than a false witness who is a liar.The following verses will reveal how such things as GOSSIP and SLANDER "spread strife among brothers." )
Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all transgressions.(Forgiven transgressions are to be covered.)
Proverbs 11:12-13 He who despises his neighbor lacks sense, But a man of understanding keeps silent. He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is trustworthy conceals a matter. (The talebearer reveals secrets, not lies; the trustworthy person conceals the matter.)
Proverbs 12:16, 23 A fool’s anger is known at once, But a prudent man conceals dishonor. A prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims folly. (A prudent man conceals dishonor and knowledge.)
Proverbs 13:3 The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
Proverbs 16:27-28 A worthless man digs up evil, While his words are like scorching fire. A perverse man spreads strife, And a slanderer separates intimate friends. (A slanderer is worthless and perverse -- spreading strife.)
Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all transgressions.(Forgiven transgressions are to be covered.)
Proverbs 11:12-13 He who despises his neighbor lacks sense, But a man of understanding keeps silent. He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is trustworthy conceals a matter. (The talebearer reveals secrets, not lies; the trustworthy person conceals the matter.)
Proverbs 12:16, 23 A fool’s anger is known at once, But a prudent man conceals dishonor. A prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims folly. (A prudent man conceals dishonor and knowledge.)
Proverbs 13:3 The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
Proverbs 16:27-28 A worthless man digs up evil, While his words are like scorching fire. A perverse man spreads strife, And a slanderer separates intimate friends. (A slanderer is worthless and perverse -- spreading strife.)
Matthew 15:19 “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. (Here Jesus shows, as in the Old Testament, that slander is different than lying.)
Romans 1:29-30 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips[whisperers], slanderers[speaks against], haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, (Again, the Holy Spirit , through the apostle Paul, shows that deceit differs from gossip or slander.)
2 Corinthians 12:20 For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there will be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders [speak against], gossip [whisperer], arrogance, disturbances; (Paul was concerned that the saints were involved in these sins.)
1 Timothy 5:13 At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips [whisperers] and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention. (The gossips were not lying, but talking about things that were not proper to even mention.)
Romans 1:29-30 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips[whisperers], slanderers[speaks against], haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, (Again, the Holy Spirit , through the apostle Paul, shows that deceit differs from gossip or slander.)
2 Corinthians 12:20 For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there will be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders [speak against], gossip [whisperer], arrogance, disturbances; (Paul was concerned that the saints were involved in these sins.)
1 Timothy 5:13 At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips [whisperers] and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention. (The gossips were not lying, but talking about things that were not proper to even mention.)
Here we have it, to live our lives in peace and harmony as God would have us to do we will have to watch very carefully what we spread around. When our families, our church's, and as representatives of Christ go about sharing information that involves someone else whether they are present or not, we bring great harm to the Kingdom of God. If we cannot reflect Christ in all that we do then we should take a good hard look at our lives and decide whether we are one of His children or an instrument of the enemy that wants nothing more than to destroy not only you but all those around us that we love and hold dear. Christ gave His life not only to save us from sin and heal us of our wounds, He came to show us how much God the Father loves us, His children.
We all need to watch what we say and when we say it, if you are one on the phone, e-mailing, talking to people personally and you are sharing things about people whether it is true or not, you are definitely being used by the enemy to bring harm not only to your loved ones and close friends, you are letting the enemy use you to bring harm to God's Kingdom.
The scriptures do not pull any punches when it comes to this type of action from believers, so why would we not take such things serious. It would be wise for all of us to look up all the scriptures regarding "slander", "gossip", "talebearer", and other related words on this subject. If we do not know God's word in and out, then how can we expect to live the kind of life God requires us to live.
I have seen to much hurt and pain just from ill spoken words, so why not just eliminate this from our lives. We all want a life of love and peace. When are we going to realize that the only way to experience the fullness of that desire is to experience the love of Christ in our lives. If we allow Christ to take charge of our lives He would fill us with His love.
Proverbs 21:23; He who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles.
Proverbs 26:20-28; For lack of wood the fire goes out, And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.
In Christ,
Steve
