Gossip: A Subtle Sin With Terrible Damages
SERIES ON GOSSIP: PART 1 OF 4
Our tongue is a small flame, but it can set an entire forest on fire.
And you see this thing called gossip? It doesn’t look like gossip every time.
Sometimes it comes like a random suggestion from the lips of someone else, it could be an interesting information or a subtle and not-so-harmful statement about someone’s actions.
It doesn’t always come in a manner that’s too obvious. It could even be an evident situation about someone, so saying it may not sound like a bad idea.
So what exactly is gossip then?
WHAT IS GOSSIP?
Before we hop right in, here’s a quick disclaimer that this content is addressed to Christians in the faith, however, everyone is invited to read through.
With that said, let’s see how Scripture defines gossip.
Proverbs 16:18 (AMP): A perverse man spreads strife, and one who gossips separates intimate friends. Anybody who spreads information with the intention of humiliating someone, dividing people, or destroying a friendship is gossiping.
Proverbs 11:13 (AMP): He who goes about as a gossip reveals secrets, But he who is trustworthy and faithful keeps a matter hidden. Gossip occurs when someone spreads a secretive piece of information.
Gossip is a comment made about another person but with malicious intent, it’s typically said in a way that prompts the listener to wonder or make an assumption about a person’s character.
These subtle hints have the power to mislead people into harboring unfavorable opinions, derision, and contempt toward the subject of the conversation. Gossip destroys someone else’s reputation in order for the gossiper to feel good about himself.
This is what happens when we gossip;
- A seed has been sown in the heart of the person being gossiped to, whether a good or bad seed. (Newsflash: It’s always a bad seed).
- That person would be unable to see the subject of the conversation in a positive manner or light.
- That person will begin to bear grudges and resentment against the individual that was gossiped about.
- It gives room and access to the devil.
Still think it’s just gossip? Well, think again. In this article, we’ll be dissecting some real-life examples and seeing the outcome of this character.
WHY IS GOSSIP A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH?
1. Gossip doesn’t look like gossip every time
Imagine you’re a counselor for a minute. Someone reaches out to you for advice or counseling sessions because they trust you to proffer a solution.
Sharing that person’s secret or privacy with someone else in a bid to spite the person who was vulnerable with their story, is a character that depicts gossip.
…I’ve found that the worst gossip usually starts with something harmless. Kathleen O’Dell
2. Gossip cannot exist in isolation, it exists in groups
Have you ever caught anyone gossiping about someone else to themself? That will never happen because gossip thrives in friendships, companionships and cliques. It manifests in groups.
This means when an evil seed is sown in the heart of one person, they spread it to the entire clique of friends. And that’s how everyone in that clique begins to have the same hate and dislike against the individual who was gossiped about.
Friendships built and sustained by gossiping are usually characterized by insecurity & distrust, these friendships never stand the test of time because whoever gossips to you will gossip about you.
3. It’s not just gossip, sis. It’s a truckload of other sins
Remember Newton’s third law of motion that states: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This phrase applies to the issue of gossip. For every action that gossip comes with, there’s an equal reaction. But in this case, there are equal multiple ripple effects of the same action.
4. It leads to the expression of the works of the flesh
If gossip ended as gossip, I would have said that’s fair enough. But one thing about the works of the flesh is that it spreads more and more into deeper and more evil things.
Gossip is a twin brother to jealousy, envy, witchcraft, backbiting, slander, and other sins. This picture above is just a brief overview of what this subtle but dreadful character can spread into.
5. Gossip is a sign of covetousness
Gossip can be expressed in a manner that shows how covetous or desirous anyone can be about someone else’s gifts, abilities or fame.
The people who don’t have those things spread rumors about someone who does, in order to draw attention to themselves.
6. Gossip is a product of idleness
As the old saying goes, “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.”
1 Timothy 5:13 (AMP) shows us how idleness can lead to gossip: “Now at the same time, they also learn to be idle as they go from house to house; and not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies [meddlers in things that do not concern them], talking about things they should not mention.”
People with excessive free time frequently develop gossiping and busy-body tendencies.
7. Gossip can occur as a result of the abuse of access or knowledge
Gossip can happen when we have access to someone or have peculiar knowledge about the person. It could start with a friend who had a particular ‘prayer request’.
They shared the details with you for more clarity and the knowledge you get about that person can make you gossip. This leads to distrust and hurt for the other person who was vulnerable enough to share their personal story with you.
8. Gossip makes you do the same things you accuse people of
Have you seen or heard someone who gossipped another person say, “That lady is a terrible woman because of the wealth she has”. And then when the same people get to that same level of wealth & influence, they begin to do the same things they accused the other person of.
Have you ever asked yourself this question, why does this happen? It’s because gossip exposes you to do the same thing you accuse someone of. It weakens your ability to stand firm against the very things you swore to never do.
9. Gossip has a foul stench. You can smell it a million miles away
It’s easy to spot gossip. You can see it in the way they look at you. Their long stares and glances, the ways their eyes are glued to your body. This vile odor permeates the entire atmosphere.
10. Gossip is a sign of prayerlessness
Within the heart of a gossiper, is a still small voice telling them that those terrible words spoken were not of good.
Notice, we never pray for folks we gossip about, and we never gossip about the folk for whom we pray! For prayer is a great deterrent. — Leonard Ravenhill
Whenever we gossip about someone, it shows that we have taken judgment into our hands rather than God’s hands. Rather than judge or gossip, pray for them and see the hate melt away.
11. Gossip leads to hurt, pain and offense
Never engage in gossip, it kills your soul, and wounds another’s heart — Steven Aitchison
It would have been funny if I had been an observer and not a participant, an idea that gave me a disconcerting insight into gossip. As I walked beside the silent Tamara, I realized that despite how entertaining certain stories were, at the bottom of every item of gossip there was someone getting hurt. — Sherwood Smith.
12. Gossip makes you draw bad conclusions about someone else
As Christians, we have the mind of Christ and we ought to see people — even those who fall short or hurt you — the way God sees them, as people worth dying for. God sent his Son to die for them, and they do matter.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 KJV
The same applies to you. God loved you enough to send his son to die for you when you were still rebelling against Him, so you ought to share that love with others.
“But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” Romans 5:8 NLT
13. Gossip helps the devil carry out his evil works
The devil is called the accuser of the brethren, he is a fault-finder and it’s his responsibility to bring division in the church. But guess what? These are the same characteristics of anyone who gossips and has a slanderous mouth. Fault-finding, spreading rumors, false accusations and many more.
Gossip also makes you see your brother as an enemy. That is wrong because as Christians we already have a common enemy who is the devil.
“We are not fighting against human enemies. Instead, we are fighting against the rulers and the powerful spirits that have authority over this dark world. We are fighting against the bad spirits who live in the heavens.” Ephesians 6:12 EASY
CONCLUSION
We have to resist the urge to say more, even when we feel we have the right. But can we do this?
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 KJV
Beware of segregation, regionalism, individualism, discrimination, stereotyping, destructive criticism, false accusations, biased wrong assumptions, prejudice, senseless comparison and unwanted competition because life is much more meaningful to live for where there is unity and harmony. — Angelica Hopes
One way to turn away from gossip is by conviction and true repentance. But how can that happen? It is by knowledge. Read the next article in the series, titled, Gossip: A Hidden Enemy in the Church. It will help you figure out how this subtle sin finds expression in the midst of brethren. Go read it here.
Ever caught yourself in the loops of gossip? How did you handle it? Kindly share your thoughts below.
