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WHAT IS GOSSIP?
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“Did you hear about what Stephanie and Kyle did last night?” Questions like these typically precede tales of gossip; and gossip is a sin.
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Gossip is probably one of the more commonly accepted and practiced sins among Christians. That is not good. Believers that would never buy a lottery ticket, drink a beer, or watch an X-rated movie may not think twice about spreading the news about those who do.
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Gossip is the spreading of secrets or rumors that bring harm to another person’s character or reputation. It is particularly easy to surrender to the temptation to gossip because, by spreading unflattering stories about others, it makes us feel good about ourselves. If we can find the dirt on others and spread it around, it tends to make us feel like we are better than they are. Yet when we talk about the personal lives of others we had better be really careful, for gossip is listed in Romans 1:29 among a number of other sins that characterize the pagan world that stands in opposition to God. That is not a good place to be. We do not want to be counted among the enemies of God.
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Gossip, then, has no place in the Christian life. The Bible makes this very clear.
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Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.
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A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.
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Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.
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Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.
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For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.
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They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips,
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For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish- that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.
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Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not.
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Gossip violates the second greatest commandment, the commandment to love your neighbor as you love yourself (Matthew 22:39). Consequently, it is harmful to your Christian witness to gossip.
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Make it your practice not to say anything behind a person’s back that you would not be willing to say to him or her in person. When you share prayer requests, share only what is absolutely necessary, and try your best to protect the reputation of the person for whom you are requesting prayer. Try to imagine yourself in the other person’s shoes. Never say anything about another person you would not want someone else saying about you.
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“Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”
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September 08, 2008
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