Answer: The Hebrew word translated “gossip” in the Old Testament is defined as “one who reveals secrets, one who goes about as a talebearer or scandal-monger.” A gossiper is a person who has privileged information about people and proceeds to reveal that information to those who have no business knowing it. Gossip is distinguished from sharing information in two ways:
1. Intent. Gossipers often have the goal of building themselves up by making others look bad and exalting themselves as some kind of repositories of knowledge.
2. The type of information shared. Gossipers speak of the faults and failings of others, or reveal potentially embarrassing or shameful details regarding the lives of others without their knowledge or approval. Even if they mean no harm, it is still gossip.
In the book of Romans, Paul reveals the sinful nature and lawlessness of mankind, stating how God poured out His wrath on those who rejected His laws. Because they had turned away from God's instruction and guidance, He gave them over to their sinful natures. The list of sins includes gossips and slanderers (Romans 1:29b-32). 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. We see from this passage how serious the sin of gossip is and that it characterizes those who are under God’s wrath.
Keep this in mind from this point on when I say women that also includes men.
Another group who were (and still are today) known for indulging in gossip is widows. Paul cautions widows against entertaining the habit of gossip and of being idle. These women are described as “gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to” (1 Timothy 5:12-13). Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. 13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. Because women tend to spend a lot of time in each other's homes and work closely with other women, they hear and observe situations which can become distorted, especially when repeated over and over. Paul states that widows get into the habit of going from home to home, looking for something to occupy their idleness. Idle hands are the devil's workshop, and God cautions against allowing idleness to enter our lives. “A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man [or woman] who talks too much”
(Proverbs 20:19).
He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flatterethe with his lips.
Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lampf shall be put out in obscure darkness.
Women are certainly not the only ones who have been found guilty of gossip. Anyone can engage in gossip simply by repeating something heard in confidence. The book of Proverbs has a long list of verses that cover the dangers of gossip and the potential hurt that results from it. “A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue. A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret” (Proverbs 11:12-13). 12 He that is voidc of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace. 13 A talebearerd revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
The Bible tells us that “a perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends”
(Proverbs 16:28). A froward man sowething strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
29 A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.
Many a friendship has been ruined over a misunderstanding that started with gossip. Those who engage in this behavior do nothing but stir up trouble and cause anger, bitterness, and pain among friends. Sadly, some people thrive on this and look for opportunities to destroy others. And when such people are confronted, they deny the allegations and answer with excuses and rationalizations. Rather than admit wrongdoing, they blame someone else or attempt to minimize the seriousness of the sin. “A fool's mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul. The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts”
(Proverbs 18:7-8). A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 The words of a talebearera are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
Those who guard their tongues keep themselves from calamity
(Proverbs 21:23). Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
So we must guard our tongues and refrain from the sinful act of gossip. If we surrender our natural desires to the Lord, He will help us to remain righteous. May we all follow the Bible’s teaching on gossip by keeping our mouths shut unless it is necessary and appropriate to
Our tongues can be our own worst enemy, what we say, or now days (type in forums) can hurt people we must speak only faith filled words,(words that edify in a Christian like manor) I have always taught my children “that if you don’t have anything nice to say then don’t say anything at all” by using the wisdom from the movie “ Bambi” when Thumper (the little rabbit) was laughing at Bambi when he was on the ice slipping and falling, thumper was teasing, and laughing at Bambi and Thumpers mother asked him “ Thumper what was it your father told you this morning” the little rabbit replied “ if you can’t say something nice then don’t say anything at all”
Once we have said hurtful words we cannot take them back! They come out of our mouth and into cyber space to dwell there on radio waves forever, but we can ask for forgiveness, and be pardoned by the one we hurt. Recently I read a post in another forum that said typing in forums only express’s a small percentage in what we say or type because we don’t read the body language, I say baa humbug to that one, they don’t understand the spirit of discernment, and how it works it can also be called in this case “reading in between the lines” when reading a post relying on the spirit within you will bring discernment , your spirit will guide your emotions in what we read and can be hurtful to the soul and you can pick up on the tone of the writer.
So as we can see Gossip, tale bearing, and a bad tongue can keep us from the blessing’s that God wants us to have. My Last sermon was on the penalties of Un-forgiveness, and how forgiving will bring blessings. Today I speak of taming our tongue, and speaking faith filled words all are part of Christian Character, walking in a Christ like manor so that others can see Jesus through us.
In Closing:
Whatever you say with your mouth is either good or evil, like Paul on the road to Damascus, there has to be a change of heart when we come to except Jesus into our life. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Repentance comes from the heart we must let God change our heart.
Rev. 21:8
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and thee Abominable and murders, and whoremungers and sorcerers, and idlers, and all lairs, shall have their part in lake which burnet with fire with brimstone: which is the second death.
In the beginning God spoke all things into existence; this can show you how powerful the spoken word is. You are responsible and will be held accountable for the people you lead to the Lord,
Teach them and show them the way of the Lord, greater works you shall do if you apply the law, by faith, spoken unto existence. John 14-12.
Three hindrances’ to faith
1. Your mouth
2. Your mouth
3. Your mouth
James 3:8 but the tongue can no man tame, it is unruly, evil, full of deadly poison. Watch the tone in your voice what comes out of your mouth is how people will judge you. Always build others up don’t put down no body. Don’t council with pears gossip and till bear (Misery loves companionship)
James 3:3
Behold, we put bits in the horse’s mouth that they may obey us. And we turnabout there whole body (bridal the tongue)
James 3:4
Also, the ships, which they be so great, and our driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, weathersoever the governor listeth (the tiny ruder steers the massive ship) thou our tongue is the smallest but can cause the most damage.
Proverbs 6:2
Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thy art taken with the words of our mouth.
Palms 10:7
His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud under his tongue his mischief and vanity.
Six things God hates:
Palms 31-18: Proud speaking, pride,
Palms 50:19: Deceitfulness,
Palms 109:2: Lying tongue
Proverbs 6:7: Proud look
Proverbs 10:31: Forward tongue
Proverbs 12:19: Tongue lashing
Other scriptures Palms 12:3 thru 4, Proverbs 6:24, 17:20, 18:20, 21:6, 26:28
Eph: 4:29
Let no corrupt communication proceeded out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearer.
Eph: 4:26
Be angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath
Eph: 4:27
Neither give place to the devil. Your temper and angry will make you say things you don’t want to say, the best thing to do is go to that person and ask forgiveness and cast down that pride.
Mark: 4-15 thru 20
Bring forth fruit, watch what you say.
The word is the judgment, judgment begins at church, don’t bite and devour each other like dogs. We can never be justified and tearing down another human being. God speaks to me directly….We can’t love God and curse men at the same time…
Luke 6:37
Judge not and you shall not be judged, condemn not and ye shall not be condemned: Forgive, and yea shall be forgiven.
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