We will be taking a break for two weeks.  During this time we will be running previous posts.

I have written about the tongue. I have studied the book of James, the brother of Jesus, as he writes under the direction of the Holy Spirit. I have pondered the statements of King Solomon as he reflects on the good and the bad of our words.

No matter what I read from God’s Word, I find there is a lack of understanding of the meaning of gossip and the effect it has on the daily lives of all of us.

Just this week, a lady came to me with a concern about some information that was being shared about her family. The information had been passed along through at least three individuals, and it was being shared as “the absolute truth.” Misinformation and a lack of understanding about the seriousness of this situation will likely cause some difficulty for this family.

The same woman responsible for passing along these rumors was responsible for sharing some very private information several years ago about a friend of mine. She obtained the information while caring for my friend who was ill at the time and on some heavy pain medication.

The information she shared was true, but it was something that needed to be kept private. She took it upon herself to share this information with numerous people and caused much difficulty for the lady with whom she had been staying.

Webster defines a gossip as “a person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts about others.” This woman was a gossip. She revealed personal information that should have been kept secret.

There are some other words we associate with the word “gossip.” Those are tattlers, idle talkers, busybodies, and talebearers. None of these words fit the description of one who is trying to live for the Lord.

James presents a description of the tongue that calls attention to the seriousness of the misuse of the tongue. “And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell” (James 3:6 ESV).

Paul also expressed concern about gossip. His concern was for young widows. He said, “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” (First Timothy 5:13).

Solomon addresses the subject of the tongue in several places in the book of Proverbs.

• “Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you” (Provers 4:24).
• “There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers” (Proverbs 6:16-19).
• “The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool. When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth. The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense” (Proverbs 10:18-21.
• “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body” (Proverbs 16:24).
• “A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends” (Proverbs 16:27-28).
• “The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body” (Proverbs 18:8).

All of these verses address the gossip, the talebearer, the idle talker, the busybody, the one who talks without regard for the person about whom they share personal information.

Solomon also addresses the tongue and the words we speak from the opposite view. He says, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver” (Proverbs 25:11).

What a different picture that paints for us. Matthew Henry’s commentary says this indicates a word that runs well, is said in a proper time and place; gives instruction, advice, or comfort, “adapted to the case of the person spoken to and agreeing with the character of the person speaking.”

What is the character of a gossip? Is it the kind of character God would want us to have? Based on the passages above, I don’t believe God wants us to gossip.

We should be careful about listening to gossip as well. Even if we don’t share in the spreading of it, listening to it gives our consent to the one gossiping. When we listen to gossip, we become a party to it.

Don’t repeat gossip. There are always two sides to everything. When you listen to gossip and/or repeat it, you are taking sides. You are judging the situation without all the facts, and you may be guilty of sowing discord.

In speaking of the tongue James says, “With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so” (James 3:9-10).

Our aim should be to bless and not to curse.

Sandra Oliver