4 Minute Read

TODAY’S BIBLE READING:

1 Kings 5:1–6:38
Acts 7:1-29
Psalm 127:1-5
Proverbs 16:28-30

TODAY’S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Proverbs 16:28 (CSB): “A contrary person spreads conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.”

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY’S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Gossip is the language of cowards. It hides in the shadows and hopes that the one being discussed doesn’t walk into the room.

Gossip is typically engaged in by someone who is insecure and wants desperately to feel valued. To achieve a fleeting moment of value, they will share information that will at least momentarily gain them an interested audience.

Gossip is essentially sharing information that should remain private or not be said at all. It is negative in nature and recklessly harms someone who is not privy to the conversations. Further, it is information that is shared with someone who doesn’t need to know the information or will not do anything positive and constructive with the information.

Gossip is a cancer that is capable of destroying the best of relationships. Essentially, gossip is character assassination. It can impugn someone’s character so badly that a lifetime would not be long enough to fix the damage that was done.

And Satan loves gossip! He often uses gossip to absolutely destroy the work of God in a church.

Over and over in Scripture, we read that gossip is something to be avoided and is only engaged in by the most simple-minded of people…

Proverbs 11:13 (CSB): “A gossip goes around revealing a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.”

Proverbs 20:19 (CSB): “The one who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid someone with a big mouth.”

So, my friend, don’t do it. And don’t listen to it.

A former pastor of mine, Dr. Adrian Rogers, once said: “It is a small compliment to you that others want to use your ears as a trash can.”

If you are tempted to gossip, ask yourself:

“Is what I am wanting to share better kept private?” If so, don’t make it public by bringing one more person into the mix.

“Is what I am wanting to share of a negative nature?” If so, there may be a small number of people (parents, leaders, etc.) who need to know about it. But, the following question is essential…

“Does the one I am wanting to share it with need to know about this?” Maybe the one you are sharing the information with needs to know about a problem so that they can be extra watchful. (For instance, a church leader needs to know about someone who has recently been put on the sexual offender registry.)

Maybe they could work to fix the problem.

Maybe they could simply go as a witness as you confront the problem.

Maybe they could keep a problem from taking place.

Conclusion

It seems that the root of gossip is found in the heart. If we truly love others, then we won’t recklessly share information that would demean them in other people’s eyes.

On those rare occasions that we do share private or negative information, it is because we love them and want to work toward a Christ-honoring remedy to a problem.

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