In this empowerment topic, I am asking the question in the title, (“Gossip in the Church?") and giving a declaration ("No Way!") with an exclamation point.
The title of this commentary is really an attention-getter. When you took speech in school, the attention-getter is used for informative speaking. It is used to create interest in the minds of the listeners, in this case, the minds of the readers.
First, we will define what gossip is. Here is the definition from Wikipedia:
“Gossip is idle talk or rumor, especially about the personal or private affairs of others. It forms one of the oldest and most common means of sharing (unproven) facts and views, but also has a reputation for the introduction of errors and other variations into the information transmitted. The term also carries implications that the news so transmitted (usually) has a personal or trivial nature, as opposed to normal conversation.” “The term is sometimes used to specifically refer to the spreading of dirt and misinformation.”
Here are some synonyms for the word gossip:
Chatter, rumor, hearsay, scandal, blabbermouth, tattler, tattletale, rumormongers, scandalmonger, telltale, and bigmouth.
Does any of this happen in the Christian community? Is the term "Christian Gossip" an oxymoron? Why would a Christian engage in gossip?
A Christian is equated with being equitable, high-principled, honorable, just, noble and upstanding. People who participate in gossip and then say with strong declaration they are Christians, have a "form of godliness." This means they have a semblance or false front of being a Christian.
2 Timothy 3:5 "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."
Amplified Bible: "For [although] they hold a form of piety (true religion), they deny and reject and are strangers to the power of it [their conduct belies the genuineness of their profession]. Avoid [all] such people [turn away from them]."
“Gossip In the Church? No Way!”, is an EMPOWERMENT TOPIC. When Christians understand the danger of gossip and the harm it will cause to themselves and others in the spiritual and natural, they will want to stay clear of it, not fuel the fire, show total rejection to it, and that is EMPOWERMENT!
The regrettable thing about gossip is that when the Christian Believer engages in this act, they set themselves back in their spirituality and walk with God.
The Christian community will talk about what is considered major wrongdoing and against God, but seem to leave gossip out. Gossiping in the Church, however, is an issue that needs to be addressed on a continuing basis.
When Christian speakers, teachers, and members of an organization talk about what is labeled as an offense, how often do you hear expositions on gossip? When they are leading marches about what is considered wrong doing, they stand strong in their convictions. When has there been a time in the Christian community that so called spiritual leaders have led marches against gossiping?
So, let's discuss gossiping in the Church.
Here is how gossip starts. There is the perpetrator, who is the person(s) responsible for starting the gossip.
People will hear and listen to gossip, and then repeat those things they hear to others without knowing if there is any cogency to the statements. The next thing that happens is that everyone is talking negative about a subject matter and no one has the facts. No one has taken the time to do independent investigation to see if what they hear is factual. Even if is something is true, how is gossiping about the situation edifying the Body of Christ and Kingdom of God?
This commentary is about showing the great danger that gossip brings about, specifically, in the Christian Community.
For the Born Again Believer in Christ, we will let Scriptural Principles guide us on the dangers of, and everything connected to gossip and the empowerment we have when we do not engage in the “GOSSIP CLINIC.”
I will expound on 6 areas of gossip from the scriptures.
(1) BUSYBODIES
(2) TALEBEARER
(3) SLANDER
(4) EVIL WHISPERING
(5) EVIL SPEAKING
(6) BACKBITING
[1] BUSYBODIES & GOSSIP
The first area of gossip is BUSYBODIES. It is from the Greek - periergazomai (pe-rē-er-gä'-zo-mī) "to bustle about uselessly, to busy one's self about trifling, needless, useless matters. used apparently of a person officiously inquisitive about others affairs."
Here is the question: Why are people so concerned about other peoples affairs? The interesting thing is people want to hear the negative. Negativity about other people will "sell the story". This is the reason for the snooping. This is the reason why people who call themselves Christians have the label of busybody!
- 2 Thessalonians 3:11 “For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.”
When Christians are disorderly they are in idleness. They are busy talking about others and by doing this they are neglecting their Ministry/ Assignment(s) from the Lord because they are so busy in indulging in other people's lives to a negative end.
- 1 Timothy 5:13 “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.”
This scripture is talking about Christians who go and spread false rumors about other Christians. “House to house”, today would mean gossip on the phone, internet, e-mail, texting, and in person. These busybodies are talking about other Believers in Christ in a negative manner and saying things they should not say or even mention in innuendo declaration.
- 1 Peter 4:15 “But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.”
In this context of scripture, it puts those professing Christianity that engage in gossip, which is a busybody, in the same category as a murderer, thief and evildoer. To show how serious and destructive gossip is for a Christian, we can look at the Greek meaning of those 3 words.
MURDERER – phoneus (fo-nyü's) – A HOMICIDE
THIEF – kleptēs (kle'p-tās) - AN EMBEZZLER
EVILDOER – kakopoios (kä-ko-poi-o's) CRIMINAL, OFFENDER, LAWBREAKER, VILLIAN, OUTLAW.
Can you see how serious gossip is for the Born Again Believer professing Christ? Do not let yourself became a BUSYBODY.
[2] TALEBEARER & GOSSIP
The second area of gossip is the TALEBEARER. It is from the Hebrew rakiyl (rä·kēl') - INFORMER and nirgan (nēr·gän) – MURMURERS.
Here is what the Word says about a talebearer:
- Leviticus 19:16 “Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour; I am the LORD.
The Word warns us not to go up and down among people as a distributor of gossip and endanger the lives of God’s people by giving false indications about others.
- Proverbs 11:13 “A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.”
The person that gossips wants to reveal bad things about others. The person who is trustworthy, even if they know something to be valid, will keep the matter to themselves and go to the Heavenly Father to pray on behalf of the person or persons.
- Proverbs 20:19 “He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.”
For the person you know that gossips, do not have any association with them when they are bringing you harmful information about others. If it does not edify, delete the discussion immediately. This may not be popular, however it is about having integrity.
- Proverbs 26:20 “Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.”
When the talebearer has no one to gossip to, it will diffuse the bomb, and there will be no fuel to put in the fire. Christians should stop talebearers in their tracks.
[3] SLANDER & GOSSIP
The third area of gossip is SLANDER.
BLACK'S LAW DICTIONARY (Revised Fourth Edition) Page 1559, defines slander as, “The speaking of base and defamatory words tending to prejudice another in his reputation, office, trade, business, or means of livelihood.”
From a Biblical standpoint, slander in the Hebrew is dibbah (dib·bä') – defamation, evil report.
- Proverbs 10:18 “He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.”
This scripture states the person who slanders is a fool. Fool in this Hebrew context is referring to a simpleton, arrogant one.
- Jeremiah 6:28 “They are all grievous revolters, walking with slanders: they are brass and iron; they are all corrupters.”
Slander in the context of this scripture is equated with revolters and corrupters.
Revolters means to be rebellious, be refractory (unruly).
- Jeremiah 9:4 “Take ye heed every one of his neighbour, and trust ye not in any brother: for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbour will walk with slanders.”
We are told to take heed, that is, to guard, observe and keep watch on those that slander in the Church of God.
Under gossip there is slander. It is a very dangerous situation for the Born Again Believer to partake in. Do not let yourself be involved in SLANDER.
[4] EVIL WHISPERING & GOSSIP
The fourth area of gossip is EVIL WHISPERING.
- Psalm 41:7 “All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt.”
Those that profess Christ should never be caught in this. Whisper in Hebrew is lachash (lä·khash') - charmers, conjurers. Christians talking about other Christians wishing and imagining the worst for them. This is not what our Heavenly Father has planned for us.
- Proverbs 16:28 “A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.”
An evil whisper is equal to a perverse person. This action causes division of friendships.
- Romans 1:29 “Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,”
To show us the danger of evil whispering, the Apostle puts it in the same category as fornication, wickedness, envy, murder and deceit. Can you see the danger of gossip?
- 2 Corinthians 12:20 “For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:”
The same is applied here. Whisperings is equal to wrath and strife.
Followers of Christ should never engage in this type of behavior and rebuke those that do. Rebuke those that bring EVIL WHISPERING.
[5] EVIL SPEAKING & GOSSIP
The fifth area of gossip is EVIL SPEAKING.
Ephesians 4:31 "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice."
Evil Speaking in this context written by the Apostle Paul, is from the Greek, blasphēmia (blä-sfā-mē'-ä ).
The definition is:
1) slander, detraction, speech injurious, to another's good name
2) impious and reproachful speech injurious to divine majesty
1 Peter 2:1 “Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings.”
Evil Speakings (plural) in this context written by the Apostle Peter is from the Greek, katalalia (kä-tä-lä-lē-ä' ) which is defined as defamation.
Let the scriptures speak about the liability of evil speaking.
- Psalm 55:21 "The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords."
- Proverbs 12:13 “The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.”
- Proverbs 24:2 "For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief."
- Matthew 12:34 "O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh."
- James 3:6 "And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell."
People who call themselves Followers Of Christ and engage in evil speaking cannot do both. On the outside they can put on an act. God certainly knows the real you on the inside.
[6] BACKBITING & GOSSIP
The sixth area of gossip is BACKBITING. Here is the definition of backbiting. To attack the character or reputation of (a person who is not present). To speak unfavorably or slanderous of a person who is not present.
Here are some synonyms for backbiting: abuse, backstabbing, belittlement.
Look at Romans 1:30 “Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,"
Now look at the before and after Context of Scripture; Romans 1:29-32. Backbiting is equated with 22 other evils!
(Verse 29) Being filled with (1) all unrighteousness, (2) fornication, (3) wickedness, (4) covetousness, (5) maliciousness; (6) full of envy, (7) murder, (8) debate, (9) deceit, (10) malignity; (11) whisperers,
(Verse 30) (12) haters of God, (13) despiteful, (14) proud,(15) boasters, (16) inventors of evil things, (17) disobedient to parents,
(Verse 31) (18) Without understanding, (19 ) covenantbreakers, (20) without natural affection, (21) implacable, (22) unmerciful:
(Verse 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."
Backbiting is equivalent to, wickedness, murder, and covenant breakers!
In Romans 1:30, backbiters is from the Greek, katalalos (kä-tä'-lä-los ) a defamer, evil speaker.
Backbiting is character assassination. When you attack the reputation of someone, you are an evil speaker. How do people who call themselves Believers in Christ engage is this type of evil behavior?
MY SYNOPSIS:
These are the 6 things that fall under the category of gossip. If anyone who calls themselves a person who loves the Lord, sings the praises of God, worships in fellowship with other believers, pray, read the Word of God, say they love God and at the same time engage in gossip and everything that goes along with gossip,(busybody, talebearer, slander, evil whispering, evil speaking and backbiting), is practicing hypocrisy therefore making that person a hypocrite!
The etymological meaning of the word hypocrite is from the Greek, hypokrites which is defined as "stage actor, pretender, dissembler,"
One should not say they love the Lord and then are engaging in gossiping about their brother and sister. This is defined as hate. Let the scriptures speak for this statement:
1 John 4:19-21
There is absolutely NO WAY you can say you truly love God and constantly gossip about your brother and sister. This will not work in the Body of Christ and Kingdom of God!
The way for the Believer to be empowered is not to partake of gossip and the 6 cohorts that go along with it. Have the fortitude to let others know you will not be a part of their evil doing. You will not be a part of running down another person to satisfy them. People who gossip look where they can dump their garbage. Do not be the dumping ground for them. Do not be their garbage disposal. They may pastor, teach, sing, lead worship service, write books, have a good reputation in the community, but it profits nothing if they engage in gossip. Here is what God's Word states as so astutely written by the Apostle Paul to the Corinthian church.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
- (1) "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal."
- (2) "And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing."
- (3) "And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing."
Here is 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 from the Wuest Expanded Translation, which brings out the fuller understanding from the original Greek language.
WUEST
NEW TESTAMENT EXPANDED TRANSLATION
1
CORINTHIANS 13:1-3
2] “And if I have the gift of uttering divine revelations and know all the mysteries and all the knowledge, and if I have all the faith so that I am able to keep on removing mountain after mountain, but am not possessing love, I am nothing.”
3] “And if I use all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I deliver up my body [as a martyr] in order that I may glory, but do not have love, I am being profited in not even one thing.”
Every Believer needs to stand up against gossip and work toward a Ministry/Assignment that will enhance, encourage and empower the Followers of Christ.
Jarrett L. Perdue Sr.
