Turn Off the Gossip Channel

Have you ever heard the old adage, “Good news travels fast”, although, this may be true it seems to have the same effect in the opposite direction—even “Bad news travels fast.” We do truly live in the information age. Just about anything you may want to know is at your finger tips either by a phone call, dial up or remote control away. On one particular day I went (for some unknown reason) grocery shopping with my beloved wife. As we were standing in the checkout line, which is an unpleasant activity normally associated with shopping, it struck me how paramount it is in the human psyche to want to know it all—to get the latest ‘juicy’ details on this or that person or event. It seems to be a trait that is intrinsically connected with human nature (Romans 8:7). Just look at the money-ridden industry created by mankind’s insatiable appetite for the latest ‘dirty’ scoop, as we see the teaming tabloids lined up at the grocery store check out lines. In these tabloids people can find out, what’s the latest gossip? As Christians, do we symbolically find ourselves picking up these magazines in our family life, work environment or amongst our church brethren? Does this worldwide epidemic reflect God’s character, attitude and way of life? What is gossip and is it ever okay? As Christians, do we find ourselves tuned into the “Gossip channel” and worse yet, passing it along? What exactly is gossip anyway? Throughout the scriptures many synonyms are used to make clear to us what gossip actually entails. Let’s take notice of just a few: In Proverbs 18:8 Solomon states, “The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, and they go down into the inmost body.” “A talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter” (Proverbs 11:13). “He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips” (Proverbs 20:19). Another clue is given in Proverbs 16:28, “A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends.” The Apostle Paul points out that one of the reasons God is “hands off” with the whole of mankind is, “…they are whisperers and backbiters…” (Romans 1:29-30). He also instructs Timothy, “And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not” (1 Timothy 5:13).What we have here is an absolute scriptural Picasso, i.e., a work of art declaring a clear landscape or picture. Gossip is idle talk or rumors about others—for we would never gossip about ourselves! Generally, but not always, gossip is hurtful, secretive and negative information passed on about another. Sometimes details are passed along with the best of intentions, but seemingly end up with the same hurtful results. Notice what God taught the congregation in the wilderness about this vital subject, “You shall not go about as a talebearer among your people; nor shall you take a stand against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:16). God was showing his people who were to be a chosen people and holy nation that gossip is not a principle of love your neighbor as yourself (19:18). Interestingly enough, nowhere in the entirety of the Bible does it make an exception for idle talk or spreading rumors about others. In fact, we as Christians should not even associate with those who are perpetual gossipers—and you know who they are (Proverbs 20:19)! This becomes especially difficult when it’s a friend. Of course, we can always go back to the “old bridge example;” if they jumped off, would you? As Christians we must strive to go beyond elementary school principles because we are now enrolled in a graduate program—a much higher level! A mature loving brother or sister will always aim to cover a matter of a fellow Christian as stated in Proverbs 10:12, “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins.” This doesn’t mean that we play the ostrich trick and bury our heads in the sand, but we don’t gossip and spread the matter out on the red carpet either. This doesn’t mean that we pretend like nothing happened, but we as loving Christians deal with the matter discretely, at the right time, place and with the right people (Matthew 18:15-20) i.e., with our fellow brother or sister and the local church pastor. All too often we forget this vital Biblical principle. This is truly the care of Christianity (1 John 5:16). When is something gossip versus just passing on information? A good method to follow is the age old “golden rule.” A concept that most of us are at least aware of, which is found in Matthew 7:12, “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” A very simple “rule of thumb,” but how often do we really follow it? In reality, it’s quite simple. Next time you find yourself tuned into the “information channel” just ask yourself, “Is what I am hearing, saying or passing on something that I would like to have said about me?” Does this information edify, build and exhort (1 Timothy 2:3)? Is this information true? Can this information be passed on—if not, then does it end with me? I was once asked if the example given in 2 Timothy 2:17-18 was an example of gossip. As we examine the story we can see that Paul was writing about two individuals: “Hymenaeus and Philetus.” They were two individuals who were guilty of overthrowing the faith of other fellow church members and causing division within the congregation, which is something that God clearly hates (Proverbs 6:19)—division because of falsehoods, half truths or no-truths at all. So what’s the difference? What makes this passing on information versus gossiping about two people? Quite simply, Paul was an Apostle writing to the young Evangelist Timothy—both shepherds. As shepherds, it was their responsibility to protect the flock, as it is the same responsibility of God’s ministers today. This is not an example of gossip, but one of protection and exhorting of the sheep. Now let’s notice Proverbs 11:9, "A hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered." Mr. Charles Bryce, in his commentary on Proverbs states: No matter if it is a next-door neighbor, or a family member, or a fellow worker in the broadest sense; our neighbor is anyone else. A hypocrite—a duplicitous person, who lies, who pretends to be one way and is actually another—goes about trying to destroy others. One of the ways to do that is not necessarily with a weapon, but with the mouth. Words are very potent, powerful things. If they start telling lies and leveling false accusations against the other individual [even unknowingly], if they start undercutting or spreading rumors about their neighbor, they can end up actually destroying another person just by the words that come out of their mouth [even unknowingly]. But the antidote, or the defense to something like that, is knowledge—godly knowledge, true knowledge, right knowledge, real knowledge. "Through knowledge shall the [righteous or the] just be delivered.” Knowledge is the key to this issue. Not any knowledge, but true Godly knowledge that comes from the only reliable source—the Bible (Matthew 4:4). There are some clear root causes for gossip as noted in 2 Thessalonians 3:11, “For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all but are busybodies.” It seems that some people have so much time on their hands that there is nothing better to do. This same sentiment is given in the book of Timothy, “And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not” (5:13). The truth of the matter is that true Christians will never want to hurt or injure others (even unknowingly) by meddling interfering, speaking ill of or gossiping. Is the subject of gossip really that big of a deal? Is it really something to get so concerned about—after all, shouldn’t we just be focusing on matters of salvation? Let’s let the Apostle Peter shed some truth on the subject, “But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evil doer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God…” (1 Peter 4:15-17). Did you notice some of the points taken from these verses? Peter ranks a busybody right along with thieves and murderers, which shows the seriousness of the subject. Also note that if one is a Christian, he or she should not suffer because of tale bearing or gossip or being a busybody. The “buck stops here!” The Church of God is being judged right now—and our judgment now determines our tomorrow. It is vital that we all examine ourselves on this issue (2 Corinthians 13:5). The entire chapter of James 3 gives all Christians important guidelines for the use of the tongue. It is one of the smallest members of our body (compared to an arm or a leg), but it can be used powerfully for good or for bad. How are you using your tongue? Of course, James admonishes us to use it for good. Why? “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment” (James 3:1). When James mentions the word teacher he is primarily referring to the ministry—who “receive a stricter judgment.” They receive a stricter judgment because they can either help people or loose people by the wrong use of their position or by the wrong use of their words (1 Timothy 4:16). This is a tremendous responsibility! However, have any of us ever considered the fact that when we take it upon ourselves to “pass along” information we are in a sense taking on the role of a teacher (even unknowingly), which also takes on a stricter judgment? If anyone is a false minister, a professing teacher, deliberate liar or an innocent member trying to “do good” by gossiping (even unknowingly) and leads another person astray then he or she will come under condemnation (Luke 17:1-2). We must be careful, because without even knowing it we could easily be spreading false doctrines and/or false ideals. As a true Christian, do not let yourself become an interested listener to damnable heresies, or evil speaking against someone else, God’s work or God’s ministers. Next time you feel the urge to tune into the “gossip channel” or pick up the latest tabloid, remember the words of Paul, “That you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you” (1 Thessalonians 4:11).