WINNING OVER GOSSIP

To win the victory over an enemy, we need to understand the enemy, understand his actions and manoeuvres, recognize his motives and goals. To be ignorant of these is to stand no chance of victory.

This is also true of gossip. What is gossip? What are its effects? How can we combat it? How can we neutralize its impact? How can we free ourselves form its clutches?

The word ‘gossip’, as used in The English Dictionary is both a noun and a verb (A noun is the name of a person, place, thing or an idea. So we can have proper nouns, common nouns, abstract nouns, etc. A verb is an action word [a doing word]).

  1. Gossip is used as a common noun to refer to idle talk or writing about others, regardless of fact. It is unconstrained talk or frivolous discussion of other people’s business or social incidence.
  1. Gossip is used as a common noun to refer to the person perpetrating the act. A gossip is one who spreads spiteful rumours, ill-founded, baseless, groundless tales and false reports about others. Gossips are referred to as idle talkers, tattlers, busybodies, chatterboxes, talebearers. Any person who listens to or passes on gossip is also referred to as a gossip.
  1. Gossip is also used as a verb. The act of engaging in gossip is itself referred to as gossip.

OVERCOMING THE HABIT OF GOSSIPING

1 John 1:7,9; Ephesians 4:17,20-24; Psalm 141:3,4; 34:13; Leviticus 19:16; 1 Timothy 5:13; 2 Thessalonians 3:11,12.

In order to overcome the habit of gossiping, an individual has to fully understand gossip for what it is and God’s perspective on it as well as the damage it causes in the community.

  1. God hates it and has expressly banned it (Leviticus 19:16).

A gossip is a talebearer, a tattler involved in tittle-tattle, a busybody, rumour monger, a false reporter and a backbiter. God hates it to the core and has expressed forbidden His people from getting involved in it (Psalm 34:13; 15:3; Romans 1:29-32; Proverbs 25:23; 2 Corinthians 12:20,21).

  1. Gossip is idle talk that is evil and sinful (1 Timothy 5:13; Proverbs 10:19).

Gossiping and lying go together (Proverbs 10:19). It is always merry when gossips meet. They throw in a lot of false extras to sweeten their tales.

  1. Gossip is disorderly work (2 Thessalonians 3:11).
  1. Gossip is Satan’s evangelism. It is the “gospel from hell”.

Repentance from past gossiping and restitution where necessary is the pathway to God’s forgiveness and cleansing (1 John 1:7,9). However, we need to forsake what God hates and decide not to walk as other Gentiles walk in the vanity of their minds (Ephesians 4:17,20-24). Invite the Lord to put a padlock on your mouth (Psalm 141:3, 4; 34:13; 1 Peter 3:10).

OVERCOMING THE HURTS OF GOSSIPING

Proverbs 11:13; 20:19; 16:28; 17:9; 18:8; 26:20,22; 1 Timothy 5:13,14; Luke 23:34; Acts 3:13-17; Genesis 43:12

Gossip has been responsible for a lot of damage and pain in the local church as well as in the wider community.

  1. Gossip reveals secrets that are better kept (Proverbs 11:13; 20:19).
  1. Gossip sows strife, discord, confusion and suspicion among brethren and breaks up friendships (Proverbs 16:28; 17:9).
  1. Gossip inflicts wound and pain (Proverbs 18:8; 26:22).
  1. Gossip gives occasion for unbelievers to blaspheme the name of God and bring a reproach to the gospel of Christ (1 Timothy 5:13,14; Romans 2:24).

Whoever has been hurt by the malicious gossip of people needs to exercise forgiveness and ask for God’s grace to overlook the slander and misrepresentation (Luke 23:34; Acts 3:13-17; Genesis 43:12). The effect that gossips have on us will be dependent on our own attitude and perspective. Gossips have no real value in themselves, only the value that we give them. If we consider it worthless, it inflicts no hurt. If we rate it high, it inflicts maximum pain. Our attitude should be like that of Paul (Philippians 1:15-18)

Gossip is a sort of smoke that comes from the dirty tobacco-pipes of those who diffuse it: it proves nothing but the bad taste of the smoker – George Elliot
Like all gossip – it’s merely one of those half-alive things that try to crowd out real life – E.M. Foster

OBEDIENCE TO HEAVEN’S GOSPEL

Leviticus 19:16; Exodus 23:1; Proverbs 20:19; 26:20,22; 25:23; Psalm 34:13; 1 Peter 3:10; 2 Thessalonians 3:11,12.

“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” (Leviticus 19:16).

“Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness” (Exodus 23:1).

“For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread” (2 Thessalonians 3:11,12).

These are not mere counsels but commands. Obedience to God’s word is the surest way to winning over gossip. Don’t be a teller of tales and never be a hearer of tales.

There are practical steps we can take to obey God’s word:

  1. Don’t associate intimately with gossips (Proverbs 20:19).
  2. Don’t be a teller or a hearer of tales (Proverbs 26:20; Psalm 34:13; 1 Peter 3:10).
  3. Always frown at gossiping (Proverbs 25:23).