004 | What God Reveals About Gossip in the Bible (Gossip Series #2)

Gossip Series #2 

Have you ever wondered what God thinks about gossip? Have you ever wondered what the bible says about gossip? In this episode, I dive deep into the bible to discover what God thinks about gossip and what the bible says about it.

Gossip is extremely destructive, yet people continue to do it without understanding the real consequences of it. The bible clearly and very strongly speaks against gossip and warns of the consequences, should you decide to gossip or even listen to gossip.

Gossip, you see, it's like a sneaky toxin that can poison the very essence of our communities, and yet, it often slips by unnoticed. But here's the thing: the Bible doesn't mince words when it comes to gossip. It offers clear warnings and powerful insights into the ripple effects it can create.

This episode has some serious truth bombs and I believe now is the time for us as Christian women to rise up and stand up against the toxic environments that gossip causes. As leaders, it is not only our duty but also our duty of care towards everyone we lead to eliminate gossip and enable thriving environments and communities at our workplaces.

And here's the beautiful part - as Christian women leaders, we have a unique calling to nurture environments of trust and respect, to be the change-makers who silence the whispers. It's not just a duty; it's a divine mission.

We can no longer sit back and hope that gossip with just go away. It won’t… Unless you are willing to do something about it. So why don’t you join me, join me in standing up and saying “NO MORE GOSSIP!”.

Below are all the verses in the bible that speak and warn against gossip. There are a couple of words used interchangeably, for example, slander, warnings of your ‘tongue’ and your ‘words’. They are all listed below.

Bible verses about gossip:

• Prov 16:28 - A troublemaker plants seeds of strife: gossip separates the best of friends.
• Prov 26:20 - Fire goes out without wood and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.
• 2 Cor 12:20 - For I am afraid that when I come I won’t like what I find, and you won’t like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarrelling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behaviour.
• Ps 15:3 - Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbours or speak evil of their friends?
• 1 Tim 5:13 - And if they are on the list, they will learn to be lazy and will spend their time gossiping from house to house, meddling in other people’s business and talking about things they shouldn’t.
• Lev 19:16 - Do not spread slanderous gossip among your people. “Do not stand idly by when your neighbour’s life is threatened. I am the Lord.
• Proverbs 20:19 - “…do not associate with a gossip.”
• Proverbs 11:13a - A gossip goes around telling secrets but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence

Bible verses about slander

• Matt 15:19 - For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander.
• Mark 7:21-22 - For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride and foolishness.
• Eph 4:31 - Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behaviour.
• Col 3:8 - But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behaviour, slander, and dirty language.
• Prov 10:18 - Hiding hatred makes you a liar; slandering others makes you a fool.
• 1 Tim 3:11 - In the same way, their wives must be respected and must not slander others. They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do.
• Titus 2:3 - Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honours God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good.
• Titus 3:2 - They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarrelling Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.
• 2 Peter 2:2 - Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered.
• Romans 1:29 - Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behaviour, and gossp.
• 2 Corinthians 12:20 – Both differentiate gossip from slander and condemn it as the result of a depraved mind, unfitting for Christians.
• 2 Thessalonians 3:11 – Both condemn “busybodies” who “speak about things not proper to mention.”

Bible verses about the tongue

• Jas 3:7-8 - People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue.
• Ps 34:13 - Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies!
• Prov 13:3 - Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.
• Prov 15:4 - Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
• Prov 17:20 - The crooked heart will not prosper the lying tongue tumbles into trouble.
• Prov 18:21 - Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit
• Prov 21:23 - Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble. (Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his should from troubles)
• Jas 3:5 - In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.
• Jas 1:26 - If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.

Bible verses about confidentiality

• Proverbs 11:13 – He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy conceals a matter.
• Proverbs. 17:9a - He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends.
• Proverbs 20:19 – He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, therefore do not associate with a gossip.
• Proverbs 25:9-10 - …don’t reveal the secret of another, lest he who hears it reproach you, and the evil report about you not pass away.
• Matthew 18:15 - If your brother sins, go and reprove him in private…” This implies the desirability of resolving the matter one-on-one.

Bible verses about our words

• Prov 10:19 - When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
• Prov 12:18 - There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
• Prov 12:19 - Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed.
• Prov 13:3 - Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
• Prov 15:1 - A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
• Prov 16:24 - Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy of the body.
• Eph 4:29 - Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
• Matt 12:36 - I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak
• Matt 12:37 - For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.
• Matt 15:18 - But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.
• Col 4:6 - Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Next steps:

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I look forward to chatting with you in the next episode. Make sure you don't miss it!

 

References as part of my research for this episode:

dwellcc.org. (n.d.). Confidentiality, Gossip, and Openness in the Body of Christ | Dwell Community Church. [online] Available at: https://dwellcc.org/learning/essays/confidentiality-gossip-and-openness-body-christ#:~:text=On%20the%20one%20hand%2C%20Scripture%20speaks%20strongly%20against%20gossip.&text=Romans%201%3A29%3B%202%20Corinthians [Accessed 4 Sep. 2023].

Kimball, C. (2002). Sermon on Gossip: The 8th Deadly Sin - Sermons & Articles. [online] Preaching.com. Available at: https://www.preaching.com/sermons/gossip-the-8th-deadly-sin-proverbs-188/#:~:text=Gossip%20is%20incredibly%20destructive [Accessed 4 Sep. 2023].