The concept of
gossip is often depicted as amusing in our society. For instance, in The Andy Griffith Show, the humorous problems caused by gossip were
the underlying plot in numerous episodes.
While this was amusing in a fictional context, it is too often assumed
that gossip is a rather harmless activity to participate in, and therefore it
is one of the lesser of the sins discussed in the Bible. However, gossip is tied intimately with a few
different things that ought to result in our reexamination of our
approach. Frequently, gossip is tied to
or incorporates the concept of “whispering” and “backbiting.” Merriam-Webster defines “backbite” as saying
“mean or spiteful things about a person (such as someone who is not present).” This stands as a concise definition for
gossip and whispering as they are utilized within the Bible as well. Who gossips about a person to their face
(which goes against the very definition of gossip)?
In Romans
1:28-32, the Apostle Paul wrote:
And even as they did not like
to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do
those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness,
sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy,
murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters,
haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient
to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;
who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things
are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who
practice them.
In the context,
Paul was discussing those who would reject God and among the characteristics of
such people he includes “whisperers” and “backbiters”. When we often look at passages such as Romans
1:28-32, we focus on the sins that we see as being particularly transgressive,
such as murder, sexual immorality (fornication in the KJV), and violence. However, examining “whisperers,” “backbiters,”
and the like is really an examination of the mindset of the person committing
those transgressions. If, as Paul
established in Romans 1, those who commit such actions have rejected the Lord,
do we want to travel down that path?
In Psalm 41:7,
King David wrote, “All who hate me whisper together against me; Against me they
devise my hurt.” In this context, David was not speaking about the physical act
of whispering, but rather he spoke of a malicious act of hate and cunning. In the context, David wrote of those who were
once counted among his friends that would then turn against him, such as King
Saul. Consider Proverbs 4:16 where King
Solomon wrote, “For they do not sleep unless they have done evil; And their sleep
is taken away unless they make someone fall.”
In Romans 1, this is the state of mind of that Paul was speaking about;
as he stated, God gave them “over to a debased mind” (Romans 1:28).
This article
does not argue that in order to participate in gossip, backbiting, and
whispering that we must have gone completely over to a “debased mind” as Paul
stated in Romans 1. Participating in
these activities will lead us down the path to a debased mind, however. Even within the body of Christ there are some
who are not happy unless they are causing a problem of some sort; whether it be
for some perceived power (which is in itself a complete lack of understanding
when it comes to what we are to be as Christians) or because of some personal
issue, it seems that some continually try to tear others down. In many contexts in the Bible, the underlying
concept is that of gossip, which frequently separates even the best of
friends. For instance, King Solomon
again wrote in Proverbs 16:27-29, “An ungodly man digs up evil, and it is on
his lips like a burning fire. A perverse
man sows strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends. A violent man entices his neighbor, and leads
him in a way that is not good.” Again,
there is a steady digression depicted within this passage that points to a
debased mind.
Participating in
gossip is detrimental to our souls; again, Solomon wrote that the “words of a
talebearer are like tasty trifles, and they go down into the inmost body”
(Proverbs 18:8; 26:21-23). Often, gossip
reveals information that is not correct about a person; however, even if some
of the information is correct, the whole picture is not stated. Consider that some talebearer may reveal sin
in the life of another; has that person been approached per the Scriptures?
Have they repented and therefore the sin is no longer in their life? How we
handle gossip is important; for instance, Solomon wrote, “Debate your case with
your neighbor, and do not disclose the secret to another; Lest he who hears it
expose your shame, and your reputation be ruined” (Proverbs 25:9-10). Do we consider how we talk of such matters
even if we have a right to be either offended or if we have been wronged (see
also Matthew 18:15-17)? Consider also
that one who brings those “tasty trifles” (Proverbs 18:8) to you will also gossip
about you; in Proverbs 20:19, Solomon wrote that he “who goes about as a
talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters
with his lips.”
As noted
previously, we have not necessarily gone completely over to a “debased mind”
when we participate in gossip, backbiting, and whispering, but we tread
dangerously close with our mouth and such a digression becomes a true
possibility if we do not repent and guard against it. In James 3, it is written that the tongue “is
an unruly evil, full of deadly poison” and that out “of the same mouth proceed
blessing and cursing” (James 3:1-12).
Further, James wrote that “For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a
perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body” (James 3:2). Perhaps this was written with a somewhat
sarcastic tone in mind; further, this was not written as an excuse to sin with
our tongues, but rather it stands as a warning about the dangers of the tongue. This is not an amusing anecdote about gossip that
too often flows from the tongue, but rather counsel that should be taken with
the utmost seriousness. James stated that the “tongue is a fire, a
world of iniquity” and that it is “so set among our members that it defiles the
whole body.” Perhaps this latter phrase
is a play on words in that it refers to the harm that the tongue can do to our
own bodies and the harm that it can do to the body of Christ.
Finally,
consider Provers 10:31 where Solomon wrote that the “mouth of the righteous
brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut out.” What comes from our mouth, blessings or
cursings? Likewise, Solomon wrote that there “is one who speaks like the
piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health” (Proverbs
12:18). Do others benefit from what we
say or do we tear one another down? Again, Solomon wrote that a “wholesome
tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit” (Proverbs
15:4). With our words, do we set the
goal to establish life or to destroy? Where is our mind? Do we have a mind that
is either debased or steadily approaching that state? Solomon also wrote that
an “evildoer gives heed to false lips; a liar listens eagerly to a spiteful
tongue” (Proverbs 17:4). We must guard
against such and ensure that our minds and tongues are where God would have
them to be (reference Philippians 4:8).
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