THE GODLESSNESS OF GOSSIP

Name a sin—any sin.  What comes to mind? Murder? Adultery? Stealing? Lying?  I doubt many would say, “gossip.”  Yet, it is a hellish, hateful thing. In church life, we often mask it as a prayer request.  It sounds spiritual to tell another person that we have a concern about so-and-so.   God hears something else—gossip—and it is godless.  Consider these verses in Proverbs 26.

1.  GOSSIP FUELS THE FIRE OF STRIFE.  “Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases. As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.” (v.20-21‬). How many churches are burning down?  I don’t mean the framework; I’m talking about the fellowship.  Gossip was the hateful spark, and the ongoing talebearing feeds the hellish flames. When you come across someone in the church—and you will—who wants to share some juicy gossip, you have a bucket of water in one hand and a bucket of gas in the other.  Which one will you use?

2.  GOSSIP FEEDS THE HUNGER OF PRIDE. “The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body.” (v.22‬). Pride causes us to think we are superior to others.  Gossip feeds that attitude. Secretly, smugly, we believe ourselves to be spiritually superior to the subject of the gossip. It is a sweet treat to a proud heart. We chew on it, savor it, and want to tell others who can enjoy the same.  The first one to yield to the sin of pride was the Devil, and it is no coincidence that he is also called the accuser and slanderer.  When we gossip, we are like him.

3. GOSSIPERS FLATTER THE UNSUSPECTING IN HYPOCRISY.  “Fervent lips with a wicked heart Are like earthenware covered with silver dross. He who hates, disguises it with his lips, And lays up deceit within himself; When he speaks kindly, do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart” (v.23-25‬).  If someone will gossip to you, they will gossip about you.  They are experts at flattery, but this is only to hide the hatefulness in their heart. Solomon likens them to a cheap clay pot, covered with silver to make it appear expensive. Don’t be fooled.

I have one word concerning gossip: don’t!