Gossip - An Evil Travesty

One of the worst things any member of any church can do is to spread gossip.

A small church not far from us is absolutely eat up with this sin and no one seems to step up to the plate and say enough is enough. By this I mean, when the gossip flows everyone just adds their little twist to it and spreads it on. Seems to me that someone in the chain should say, "No, I don't want to hear it". But that doesn't happen.

If any member of any church is willing to spread gossip why is it that no one in leadership has enough back bone to stand in opposition with it?

Little people with little minds not interested at all with the terrible consequences of the end result of their malicious gossip. It's an absolute travesty, cruel, hateful and so destructive.

People need to learn to keep their mouths shut!!! If one is not interested in helping a member that's in trouble then why talk about 'em?

...makes me sick!

 

Suggest you define gossip vs. normal discussions within a group about everyday happenings about other people both people know.

You don't know what constitutes gossip? Perhaps this is the problem.

Phone lines being burned up "with the latest" news about Sister Sadie, or Brother Homer, is maybe considered to be offering a public service. Yeah, that's it. A public service. I don't think so.

The problem is, all that usually gets passed is the bad stuff and with each ear that hears it, a twist is added to make it a bit juicer for the next ear.

Suggest I define gossip. Try the following on for size.




The Hebrew word translated “gossip” in the Old Testament is defined as “one who reveals secrets, one who goes about as a talebearer or scandal-monger.” A gossiper is a person who has privileged information about people and proceeds to reveal that information to those who have no business knowing it. Gossip is distinguished from sharing information in two ways:

1. Intent. Gossipers often have the goal of building themselves up by making others look bad and exalting themselves as some kind of repositories of knowledge.

2. The type of information shared. Gossipers speak of the faults and failings of others, or reveal potentially embarrassing or shameful details regarding the lives of others without their knowledge or approval. Even if they mean no harm, it is still gossip.

The Bible tells us that “a perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends” (Proverbs 16:28). Many a friendship has been ruined over a misunderstanding that started with gossip. Those who engage in this behavior do nothing but stir up trouble and cause anger, bitterness, and pain among friends.

Sadly, some people thrive on this and look for opportunities to destroy others. And when such people are confronted, they deny the allegations and answer with excuses and rationalizations. Rather than admit wrongdoing, they blame someone else or attempt to minimize the seriousness of the sin. “A fool's mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul. The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts” (Proverbs 18:7-8).

 

Do you believe that the daily local news is a form of gossip?

Repeat.

The Hebrew word translated “gossip” in the Old Testament is defined as “one who reveals secrets, one who goes about as a talebearer or scandal-monger.” A gossiper is a person who has privileged information about people and proceeds to reveal that information to those who have no business knowing it. Gossip is distinguished from sharing information in two ways:

1. Intent. Gossipers often have the goal of building themselves up by making others look bad and exalting themselves as some kind of repositories of knowledge.

2. The type of information shared. Gossipers speak of the faults and failings of others, or reveal potentially embarrassing or shameful details regarding the lives of others without their knowledge or approval. Even if they mean no harm, it is still gossip.

The Bible tells us that “a perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends” (Proverbs 16:28). Many a friendship has been ruined over a misunderstanding that started with gossip. Those who engage in this behavior do nothing but stir up trouble and cause anger, bitterness, and pain among friends.

Sadly, some people thrive on this and look for opportunities to destroy others. And when such people are confronted, they deny the allegations and answer with excuses and rationalizations. Rather than admit wrongdoing, they blame someone else or attempt to minimize the seriousness of the sin. “A fool's mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul. The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts” (Proverbs 18:7-8).

 

The pastor I grew up under went to visit in my Mom's uncles home, his brother and sister in law were there. They believed you reach the point where you don't sin anymore and she said I have reached that point in my life where I don't sin anymore. To which my former pastor looked at her and said on does that mean you and your lady friends don't get on the phone and gossip about other folks. She got fuming mad and never liked that baptist preacher after that.

Good for her. She reached a state of perfection and doesn't need to sit under the Gospel..., nor does a church need her.

Gossip is serious business and a direct sin against our Lord.

 

Actually, revmwc, it's not me. A very dear friend of ours provides care for an elderly woman who has finally succumbed to Alzheimer's.

This was confirmed last Wednesday a week ago by her doctor and on Friday, here comes the Department of Social Services to investigate physical and mental abuse to include theft from this woman's bank account. Someone in the neighborhood dropped a dime on the care-giver just to be mean.

Within 15 minutes of the visit from DSS the word had spread like wildfire as there was another family member present when the knock on the door was heard.

The gossip now includes the husband of this care giver had been caught laying on top of this 87 year old woman!!! He's 50, she's 87 and someone is in the home 24 -7.

I'm afraid that your conclusion that someone has definitely hurt me deeply is simply not true.

This lady, our friend, who has cared for this elderly woman for the past four years is just absolutely devastated. She has almost cried herself to death over it all as the gossip and rumors has spread through her Church not slowing down one iota.

Her pastor called last night leaving a message that, "...we are praying for you in your time of need". He don't come around but will call and leave a message.

What he ought to do is this next Sunday Morning stand up before the congregation declaring that NOTHING IS AMISS in this home..., and that gossip is destructive and a sin and people who participate in such are weak..., but he won't. If I was a member of that gossip mill I'd take to floor to tell them so.

DSS found nothing as there is nothing to be found. The cops found nothing amiss as there is nothing to be found. The doctor has found nothing (signs of abuse) as there is nothing to be found.

...and from this, her husband is "laying on top" of this elderly woman. Give me a break! Little minded people.

Sorry, folks but yes this has affected me some and I'm just venting here.