GOSSIP
1.
Four preachers
were struggling with sin.
2.
These men
agreed to meet together and divulge their problems to each other.
3.
The first man
said that he was addicted to gambling.
4.
The second said
that he was addicted to nicotine.
5.
The third said
that he was a chronic liar.
6.
When it was
time for the fourth man to speak he stayed silent.
7.
When he was
urged to speak up he said,
8.
“My weakness is
gossip. Today I have heard some good
stuff.
9.
I can’t wait to
go and tell people about your sins.”
10. Gossip is a powerful force.
THE BIBLE HAS SOME THINGS TO SAY ABOUT GOSSIP.
1. This information is in both testaments.
2. For our scripture reading we heard Lev. 19:16.
3. This part of the law described someone who would go
from person to person/family to family.
4. The people described by this verse would literally
collect information.
5. This collected information would then be passed
along to others.
6. This is really what gossip is.
7. Gossip is the collection and distribution of
information.
8. God said that His people were not to go around spreading
things like gossip.
9. Some in
10. With all the tribes in
11. In the church we are certainly not exempt from these
same sins.
12. Since human nature is essentially unchanged, some
are prone to gossip.
13. Some are prone to gossip and slander people on a
regular basis.
14. Others make a real effort to avoid it.
15. If we live long enough each one of us will be guilty
of gossip at least once or twice.
16. Engaging in gossip is a bad choice and it is a
compromise to our faith.
17. I want to suggest that engaging in gossip is
actually an activity that is joined with Satan.
18. I would make this proposal based upon what gossip
is.
A. Gossip is often associated with telling information
that is not 100% factual.
B. Because gossip frequently omits some facts the
information is not always true.
C. At least it is usually not the complete truth.
D. We have heard the old saying, “There are two sides
to every story.”
E. If things are not true, they are false.
F. False information is in the same realm as lying.
G. Since gossip is often associated w/false information
it is not always accurate.
H. The Bible says that Satan is the father of lies
(untruths, Jn.
19. When looking at gossip we find that it is often
associated with slander.
20. During a gossip session people are often accused or
charged with certain acts or behavior.
21. The Bible says that Satan is the “accuser of
brethren” (Rev. 12:10).
22. John added that Satan accuses God’s people “day and
night.”
23. Some view gossip has a harmless pastime.
24. As long as it is not aimed at them, some really
enjoy getting the dirt on other people.
25. Since gossip is normally involved with accusing
other people, it is part of Satan’s realm.
26. We may link gossip with Satan in a third way.
27. Gossip tears people down; the Lord wants His people
to be built up.
28. Gossip presents discouraging information about
others; Christians are to be encouragers.
29. BEING LIKE THE FOURTH PREACHER I MENTIONED IS NOT THE WAY GOD WANTS HIS PEOPLE TO BE.
30. This is made clear in a variety of ways.
31. We are warned about things like gossip and slander
in the Old Testament.
32. Aside from the reference in Leviticus there are
other warnings.
33. One passage that is a bit humorous
but very true is found in Prov. 26.
34. In verses 20 and 22 of this proverb we are told
about gossip.
35. I am only going to read verse 22; the ASV makes this
passage especially intriguing – READ.
36. Getting the dirt on other people is likened to a
“tasty morsel.”
37. There are some things in life that are so good that
we say, “Yes, I will take one more.”
38. Some may edge closer to the platter which has a
tasty food item.
39. It might be a piece of candy, another slice of pie,
or a piece of cake.
40. Gossip works in the same way.
41. The tabloids know that people like juicy details.
42. Throughout the world people feed on gossip.
43. Some gulp down the pieces of information that are
served up by Satan and find the details to be tasty.
44. Paul said that we are to learn from the Old
Testament writings (
45. There are warnings about gossip in the Old
Testament.
46. We need to heed these warnings.
47. In the New Testament there are some additional
instructions about gossip and slander.
48. Some of these instructions are found in the words
that the writers used.
49. One of the words that has
bearing on this subject is found in James and 1 Pet.
50. If you want the references here they are Jas. 4:11;
1 Pet.
51. James used a word related to gossip three different
times in verse 11.
52. Before reading from Jas. 4 I want to look at the
references in First Peter.
53. A good definition for 1 Pet.
54. Here is what Peter said – 1 Pet. 2:12 – READ.
55. The word we are looking at is translated “speak
against.”
56. Gossip is “speaking against someone.” It is “malicious and slanderous talk.”
57. Now to 1 Pet.
58. In both of these passages Peter applied the word to
non-Christians.
59. That is, those who were unsaved gossiped about the
people of God.
60. Today we find that nothing has changed.
61. People in the world gossip about
church members.
62. People may gossip about an entire congregation, the
preacher, church leaders, or some members.
63. Gossip from people from the world should be
expected.
64. The word that we are looking at is used in another
way.
65. Let’s take a look at how the same term (slanderous
or malicious speech) is used in Jas. 4:11.
66. This passage brings things a little closer to home.
67. Jas.
68. James wrote to some Christians who gossiped about
others.
69. Christians told stories about other Christians.
70. Saints were slandering saints.
71. God’s people said malicious things about fellow
members of the church.
72. This was so bad that James compared it to speaking
against (slandering) the law.
73. This problem existed in more than one congregation
in New Testament times.
74. This same type of problem existed at
75. Paul used a different word in 2 Cor. 12:20, but he
described the same kind of sin.
76. This sin has been found in congregations of the
church, is still found in congregations, and it is wrong.
77. Someone has tried to distinguish between gossip and
slander by using guns.
78. Slander has been compared to a machine gun.
79. When someone is slandered people cut loose on
them.
80. Just as a flood of bullets is unleashed, so such
occurs when someone is slandered.
81. Gossip
is more like a rifle shot (a single bullet).
82. People take careful aim and tell one or two juicy
details about someone.
83. Several years ago there was a column by Ann Landers.
84. This particular piece was the “gem of the day.”
85. This article said there are three kinds of people.
86. Some have good intellect; these people share ideas.
87. Those with an average amount of intelligence talk
about things.
88. People with no intelligence talk
about other people.
89. This is not exactly right but it is a thoughtful
point.
90. WHEN WE LOOK AT THE BIBLE WE FIND THAT GOD IS NOT PLEASED BY SLANDER AND GOSSIP.
91. Since God is displeased with gossip, how should we
deal with it?
92. If someone presents gossip to us, what should we do?
93. At a recent preacher’s meeting someone from the area
shared an idea.
94. This preacher said that he struggled with this
matter for a long time.
95. People would come to him and say, “Let me tell you
about _____.”
96. It took some time but this brother came up with a
good solution.
97. He allows the people who came to him have their
say. He allows his eyes to widen.
98. People can see that he seems very interested so they
usually lay it on.
99. When they finish they usually say something like,
“What do you think of that?”
100.
This preacher
says to people, “This is shocking.”
101.
“I had no
idea. Are you sure?” “Oh yes, it is even worse. I forgot to tell you about….”
102.
Since the
person has hooked himself or herself the preacher then says this:
103.
“What can we
do to help that person go to heaven?”
104.
This fellow has
stopped people in their tracks.
105.
The
people who like to gossip have stopped telling this fellow tale bearing
stories.
106.
They don’t want
to hear his question.
107.
Their interest
is in telling the story, not saving a soul that may be in trouble.
108.
This technique
is one that we can use.
109.
There are also
some other strategies that work.
110.
We might say,
“This conversation is making me uncomfortable.”
111.
“Have you go to
the person and spoken with them?”
112.
We can also
remember that gossip is most prone to occur in certain circumstances.
113.
It is easy to
gossip when we are with close friends.
114.
The family
dinner table is a prime time and place for gossip.
115.
Small, and perhaps unstructured Bible studies can turn
into places of gossip.
116.
Church members
who go out to eat together after a service are also prime candidates for
gossip.
117.
The right
approach to gossip is found in Prov. 11:13 – READ.
118.
A gossip digs
up the dirt and then spreads it far and wide.
119.
A godly person
tries to keep the dirt where it is.
A. There is a fine line between gossip and sharing
information.
B. There are times when a third party needs to be made
aware of some things.
C. Sometimes this line is muddied or not clear.
D. One of the ways to determine what information to
share is the why test.
E. If we are telling someone something, why are
we telling them?
F. Is someone in danger?
G. Do we need a witness?
H. Is there some type of risk?
I. Do we tell someone something because we need advice?
J. If there is not a valid reason for sharing
information it is probably gossip.
K. The matter described in Lev. 19 did not involve any
kind of risk or advice.
L. People simply wanted to share some juicy tidbits.
120.
At times we are
all going to stumble in this area.
121.
This is an area
that we need to pay attention to.
122.
We will if we
have become a Christian.
123.
The most
important things in any life are becoming a Christian and staying faithful.
124.
Are we a
Christian? Are we trying to live as God
wants?