Gossipers,
Slanderers, Talebearers and Whisperers!
Philippians 4:1-4:8
Let's see what Scripture has to say about gossipers, slanderers,
talebearers and whisperers. Gossip has neither legs nor wings. It is
composed entirely of tales, and most of them stings. If people did not
carry gossip, it would not go so far. Let us look at what should we be
"gossiping" about?
Philippians 4: 4. Rejoice in the Lord
alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 5 Let your moderation be known
unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be careful for nothing; but
in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your
requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which
passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever
things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of
good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think
on these things.
I. Gossipers can not be trusted:
- Proverbs 11:13 A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a
faithful spirit conceals a matter.
Gossip: Something that goes in one
ear and out the mouth.
The difference between gossip and news is
whether you hear it or tell it.
Many people are wise until they open their mouth.
II. Gossipers destroy friendships:
- Proverbs 16:28 A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates
the best of friends.
A wound caused by words is more
painful than a wound caused by an arrow.
- Arabian Proverb
Gossip can estrange the closest
friends.
- Jewish Proverb
III. Gossipers can not keep a secret:
- Proverbs 20:19 He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets;
Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.
A rumor is about as hard to unspread as butter.
A secret between two is a secret of God; a secret among three is
everybody's secret.
IV. Gossipers cause strife everywhere they go:
- Proverbs 26:20 Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where
there is no talebearer, strife ceases.
V. God will judge Gossipers harshly:
- Psalm 101:4-5 A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will not know
wickedness. Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, Him I will destroy;
The one who has a haughty look and a proud heart, Him I will not endure.
VI. Gossipers are unrighteous and debased:
- Romans 1:28- And even as they did not like to retain God in their
knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things
which are not convenient;
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness,
covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit,
malignity; whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of
evil things, disobedient to parents
A gossip usually makes a mountain out of a molehill by adding some dirt.
VII. Gossipers have too much time on their hands:
- 1 Timothy 5:13 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.
VIII. Gossipers are disorderly and lazy:
- 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.
Busy people have no time to be
busybodies. Be busy, but not a busybody!
- Spanish Proverb
IX. Do not gossip. Don't spread
stories. Don't rationalize having to disseminate "information" so
that people can "pray properly"
How many times our mouths get us in trouble. How many things can you
think of that you wish you could take back? How desensitized we have
become to this scourge of "informing" each other. As one dog can start
all the dogs to barking, so one person can start a whole group to
gossiping.
X. What should we be "gossiping" about?
- Philippians 4: . 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever
things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of
good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think
on these things
Sometimes I think the whole Christian
world is made up of just two groups: those who speak their faith and
accomplish significant things for God, and those who criticize and
malign the first group.
- Don Basham,
Meditate on these things. Think about
these things. Talk concerning these things. Tell stories of these
things. "Gossip" about these things. To successfully combat gossip,
ignore it.
Go and tell the Good News, shout it from
the rooftops, tell it over the fence, tell it in the streets. Mark 16:15
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel
to every creature.
We should tell of Jesus and what He means to us? Why? Acts 1:8 But ye
shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye
shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in
Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
PRAYER:
Our Father, convict us if we are
guilty of gossip, tale bearing and news spreading while
rationalizing it as something "good" so "we can pray about it".
May our mouths be bound by Phil 4:8. We ask for Your strength to
harness our tongue that it may only be a source of blessing and
holiness.
In Jesus name, Amen.
Do you gossip? Are you sure? Do we have
God's standard about gossip, or the worlds?
Be sure to honestly evaluate which standard you are measuring yourself
by.
He who gossips to you will gossip
about you.
- Arabian Proverb
