The Scriptures and Gossip
The
gossipers oft’ begin their tales of woe with well-worn phrases, such as, “They
say.” or “Have you heard?” or apologetically, “I hate to tell you
this, but...” And thus, the tale unfolds. One might think that the Bible is
silent on this subject, as gossip is so widespread. Yet, the very opposite is
true. Here are a few of the many passages.
“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. Thou shalt not hate thy
brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not
suffer sin upon him” (Lev 19:16-17).
“He that
hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool” (Prov.
10:18). “A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of
his soul. The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the
innermost parts of the belly” (Prov. 18:7-8).
“It is an
honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling” (Prov.
20:3). “He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore
meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips” (Prov. 20:19). “Where
no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the
strife ceaseth” (Proverbs 26:20).
Concerning
the listener, we are reminded that “a wicked doer giveth heed to false lips;
and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue” (Proverbs 17:4).
Tattlers
and gossipers are meddlers in other men’s affairs. God will judge. Our blessed
Lord taught, “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth
forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil
things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they
shall give account thereof in the day of judgment” (Matt 12:35-36).
Let us
carefully and prayerfully guard our speech!
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