DES MOINES GOSPEL ASSEMBLY CHURCH - RESPONSE TO GOSSIP
See Responses from Wanda Mason, Mike Davis, Freda Biggerstaff & Gary King
Gossip
is condemned as sin in the Bible. "Thou shalt not go up and down as a
talebearer among Thy people." Leviticus 19:16. Gossips and backbiters have
crippled leaders, armies, homes, and churches. "A whisperer separateth
chief friends." Proverbs 16:28.
Gossip
is negative and destructive. At its worst, it is outright slander, the
spreading of lies to ruin someone's reputation. "The words of a talebearer
are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly."
Proverbs 18:8. At its best, it is digging up evil which, even if true, is not
to be spread abroad. "He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he
that repeateth a matter separateth very friends." Proverbs 17:9 "A
talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth a
matter." Proverbs 11:13.
The
Greek word for slander is derived from diabolos, which means "devil."
Slander is devilish and diabolical. In Aramaic, slanderer means "one who
eats anothers piecemeal." Slanderers are workers of iniquity. "Have
all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? Who eat up my people as they eat
bread, and call not upon the Lord." Psalms 14:4.
Are
gossipers aware of the many pointed warnings in the Bible against the spreading
of rumors, innuendos, half-truths, and long forgiven transgressions? They must
not be aware, because they continue to spread gossip by word, by telephone, by
letters, and by the Internet. "For thou art not a God that hath pleasure
in wickedness...thou hatest all workers of iniquity. Thou shalt destroy them
that speak leasing [lies]." Psalms 5:4-6.
Slanderers,
whisperers and talebearers are condemned sixteen times in the Old Testament,
not counting many instances where other names are used. Proverbs 6:16-19 lists
seven things that are an abomination to the Lord. All seven condemn the
gossiper: "A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent
blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in
running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth
discord among brethren."
If
such is the Old Testament standard, what does the New Testament teach? If
anything, its condemnation is even more broad. The New Testament condemns all
evil speaking. This applies to gossips who do not spread outright lies, but who
distort the truth - depicting a person's faults without mentioning their
virtues, and ascribing the worst possible motive to any word or deed, etc.
"Speak not evil one of another, brethren." James 4:1.
Paul
warned to let your speech be seasoned with grace. Colossians 4:6. Evil speaking
is in the same class as frivolity, intemperance and faithlessness. I Timothy
3:11. The Bible denounces those who wander from house to house, "and not
only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought
not." I Timothy 5:13.
A
gossiper fails to keep the second greatest commandment: to love your neighbor
as yourself. Matthew 22:39. He or she is unconcerned about the welfare of
others. A whisperer is self-centered. A talebearer has a negative approach to
human relations. A slanderer's enjoyment comes at the expense of others.
"Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a
fire…an unruly evil, full of deadly poison." James 3:5,6,8.
A
wise man once said, "I would rather play with forked lightening or take in
my hands live wires than to speak a reckless word against any servant of
Christ...Let us remember that when we persecute and hurt the children of God,
we are but persecuting Him and hurting ourselves far more."