SEPTEMBER 25: “RUMOUR MONGERING AND GOSSIPS”

A gossip is one who has privileged information about people and reveals it to those who have no business knowing it. The Bible strongly condemns gossips and rumours, considering them sinful and destructive as they inadvertently lead to broken friendships, mistrusts, restrained transparency in defence, etc and all that cause significant harm to individuals.

Gossips divide relationships, destroy trust and the pain associated with gossip is felt long after words are spoken. The presence of gossips depends in large measure on how you talk about people who are not present and why you talk about them sometimes if not at all times with malicious intent to destroy them. Psalm 41: 5-8. The enemies of David acted concerned when they visited him but then secretly celebrated his projected imagined downfall and went ahead to spread the story that he was about to die.

If we are going to avoid the sin of gossip, we must have regenerated hearts which will not, out of regard for God, speak slanderously against the creation of God (James 3:9). Hatred is a strong motivator for gossip. Christ however encourages us to love our enemies and to pray for them who hate us (Mat 5:44), not allowing emotions to cloud our judgement. The Psalmist enjoins us to pray (Psalm 141:3) – “set a watch, o lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.” Living such egalitarian lives typifying Christ, overcomes barriers in the church.

Gossip which is often bad news of other people is opposite of the gospel which is good news. Our minds need to be filled with that which is lovely, pure, truthful, virtuous, praise worthy (Phil 4:8), knowing that God will not hold us guiltless if we listen, promote or are available to gossips because gossip and slander need someone willing to listen to be successful. Remember Pro 10:18 – He that hideth hatred with lying lips and he that uttereth a slander is a fool.

Have I encouraged tale bearers among the brethren? Do I like these gist and hush talks going around spoken in whispers? Do I tell unfounded un-established stories? Do I forward rumours or rebroadcast them?

PRAYER: Gracious Lord, Help me. Teach me to be swift to hear and slow to speak that I may prompt intimacy among the brethren and not lend myself to sowing discord and division, becoming an agent of the Devil.