Gossip

Lev 19:16 Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour; I am the LORD.

Pro 11:13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

Pro 18:8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

Pro 20:19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.

Pro 26:20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.


Today most people have lost the real concept of what gossip is in the biblical sense. We have adopted the idea that gossip is a shadow of the truth or an outright lie, but this not the case at all. God’s word reveals to us what gossip is and how it affects the lives of people. His word also tells us how to deal with a gossip.

A gossip according to Proverbs 11:13 is a person who reveals secrets. This person is not trustworthy. Notice the contrasting junction within the verse and how it then indicates that talebearer/gossip is the opposite of the person who is classified as a faithful spirit. Therefore, any divulgence of a secret to anyone and any discussion of that secret with anyone, other than the personal source, is considered gossip by God. When I say personal source I am indicating not the person who told you but whom the secret concerns. It would not do well for me to discuss a secret that John Doe told me about Jane Smith with John Doe. The reason this not well is because I had no business in the original matter. Even if I had part in the original matter I can only confide my personal involvement with whom I choose and discuss the matter in full length with anyone except those who are either involved, witnesses, or authorities. Otherwise I become a talebearer myself.

We have some other strong characteristics of this person the gossip revealed to us by God. This person is usually a seemingly sincere and well meaning person who for the life of them cannot keep out of others lives. With flattering speech and with intentions that appear helpful that gain your trust and you confide in them. This is how the extract information from various sources and become a hub of information rather than a safe that stores information. This person will also generally go up and down looking for someone to either extract information from or someone to share information with despite God’s commands in Leviticus 19:16. This person cannot live their lives without the need know things about other people or what is going on around them, though it does not involve them.

Now, when the person whose confidence has been broken a fire is ignited and they are deeply wounded by one who they thought they could trust. Therefore, God gives us the best advice on how to handle this person. He tells us to have nothing to do with them. Here is the time when God says avoid a person, not be rude to them, but to not invest your time with them.

With this in mind be careful who you confide your secrets. Do not confide them with someone who has shared others secrets with you for they will go looking for someone they can share your secret. The only way to stop this destructive behavior in our churches is to stop the gossips from having information. Where there is no wood there is no fire. So let each of us take care to cease being the wood that fuels their fires and stand strong in obedience to God. If we all do this then maybe they will repent and let God change their nature.