Most people like to talk behind anyone’s back. Does the Bible condemn gossip, despite the fact that it happens frequently in our daily lives?
The Bible is clear that Christians should avoid gossip since it is a sin. Slander, ridicule, and denigration are common components of gossip. The insecurities, jealousy, envy, and even hatred of the gossiper toward another person are made clear. The Bible promotes righteous and constructive conversation.
The Bible’s Answer About Gossiping
The words of a gossip are compared to “sweet morsels” in the book of Proverbs, a tasty feast that offers enjoyment to those who partake (Proverbs 18:8; 26:22). We want to pass the time when we’re bored by reading the degrading accounts of other people’s life. Or we get arrogant because we have inside information that someone else does not, and we want to brag about it.
The gospel is the opposite of gossip. A tidbit of bad news, not good news, is in the tongue and ear of a gossip. There are at least two negative aspects to this bad news, which is a report about someone else’s sin or disgrace.
If you know in advance that the news is false, distributing it is slander rather than merely gossip (Leviticus 19:16; Psalm 15:3; Proverbs 19:5). Alternatively, you might merely believe the tale to be true (perhaps without any cause), but it ultimately proves to be false—hearsay, a rumor, or a half-truth (Proverbs 18:13, 17).
The Lord Jesus revealed to us that the amount of good or evil held within our hearts is the source of all of the words we speak, both good and terrible (Matthew 12:33–37). The same is true for our want-to-hear rumors. We are drawn to evil because there is evil inside of us (Proverbs 17:4, Matthew 15:18–19).
Despite what you may have been taught, spreading embarrassing information about another person without their consent might be considered gossip.
The word “a bad report,” which Joseph used against his brothers, is one that the Bible uses to describe this type of discourse (Genesis 37:2). We don’t necessarily need or have to discuss something with others just because someone actually did something wrong.
Overcoming Gossiping
Gossiping can be hard to resist. But with faith and enlightenment, you can overcome it. Think about posing these queries to yourself when you feel like gossiping:
- Are you aiming to develop or destroy?
- Are you fostering unity or damaging it?
- Will someone’s opinion of another person change as a result of what you say?
- Would you desire someone to speak of you in the manner in which you do?
If all of your answers to the aforementioned questions are negative, you might want to stop yourself from talking. You must take the initiative to stop rumor if it constitutes betrayal. Keep it from coming out of your mouth. Ask other people to stop if they start gossiping, and if they won’t, leave the conversation.
Gossip denigrates and shatters relationships, contrary to how God would have us interact with and talk about one another. We owe it to one another to treat one another with respect and consideration.
When you aren’t the target of the rumors, they could seem amusing, but once you are, you’ll quickly learn how terrible they can be. So, refrain from gossiping at all costs.
Following Jesus’ advice in Matthew 7:12, which we should regard as the Golden Rule, is the most straightforward way to solve the problem.
Bottom Line
Because gossiping looks normal because it is too common everywhere, it doesn’t mean that it is right.
Some people could be mistaken in believing that gossip involves spreading untruths or lies. This is not entirely accurate. I’d say that most of the time, gossip is circulated while concealing the facts. The issue is that it might only be a partial truth. Nevertheless, that truth—complete or uncompleted—is used to discuss someone else.
When you are discussing someone who is not present, gossip is extremely simple to start. In my perspective, it can happen either consciously or unknowingly. Whatever method you used to get there, it’s still gossip, which is a betrayal.
I’ve been on both sides of gossip, and I’ll say that neither side is good. Both talking about it and listening to it are bad ideas. As your relationship with Jesus Christ continues to deepen, develop into a trustworthy and protective person.
