Here are some words from the Bible about one of the most persistent and destructive sins known to the Church. [Warning: The following contains harsh language and uncompromising moral expectations.]

All quotes are from the God’s Word translation.

 

First, two orders from headquarters (heaven):
“Never gossip. Never endanger your neighbor’s life. I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:16).

“Whoever goes around as a gossip tells secrets. Do not associate with a person whose mouth is always open” (Proverbs 20:19).

Second, the power of gossip to destroy:
“A devious person spreads quarrels. A gossip separates the closest of friends” (Proverbs 16:28).

“Without wood a fire goes out, and without gossip a quarrel dies down” (Proverbs 26:20).

“At the same time, they learn to go around from house to house since they have nothing else to do. Not only this, but they also gossip and get involved in other people’s business, saying things they shouldn’t say” (1Timothy 5:13).

English: Eugene de Blaas: The friendly gossip

English: Eugene de Blaas: The friendly gossip (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Third, how gossips (both those who speak it and those who listen) work:
“When one of them comes to visit me, he speaks foolishly. His heart collects gossip. {Then} he leaves to tell others” (Psalm 41:6 ).

“Those who sit at the gate gossip about me, and drunkards make up songs about me” (Psalm 69:12).

“The words of a gossip are swallowed greedily, and they go down into a person’s innermost being” (Proverbs 18:8, 26:22).

“So prophesy. Say, ‘This is what the Almighty Lord says: Your enemies turned you into ruins and crushed you from every side. You became the possession of the rest of the nations, and people began to talk and gossip about you” (Ezekiel 36:3).

Finally, Paul’s list of the sins which scare him in a church:
“I’m afraid that I may come and find you different from what I want you to be, and that you may find me different from what you want me to be. I’m afraid that there may be rivalry, jealousy, hot tempers, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly conduct” (2 Corinthians 12:20).

Gossip shrinks your soul, puffs up your ego and displays a deficiency of Christ-like love.

So, who have you talked about this week? How offensive! Today is the day to stop the gossip, from your lips and in your ears. No excuses.

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