Have you ever heard the old adage, "Good news travels fast"? Although this may be true, it seems equally true in the opposite direction; even "bad news" travels fast. Truly, we live in the Information Age. Just about anything you may want to know is at your fingertips— only a remote control, phone call, or Internet connection away!
As my wife and I were grocery shopping one day, a thought came to me while we were standing in the checkout line. Seeing the teeming tabloids lined up in the checkout aisles, it struck me how the human psyche seems to want to know it all— to get the latest "juicy" details on this or that person or event. This trait seems inextricably connected with human nature. Just look at the profitable industries fueled by human beings’ insatiable appetites for the newest "dirty" scoop. In the tabloids, people can find out the latest gossip. As Christians, do we find ourselves symbolically "picking up the tabloids" in our families, or workplaces or among our Church brethren?
Have you asked yourself: does the desire to hear and spread gossip reflect God’s character, attitude and way of life? Is gossip ever okay? As Christians, how should we approach the "gossip channel" in our lives and around us?
Is Gossip Ever Okay?
What exactly is gossip, anyway? Gossip is idle talk or rumors about others—for we would never gossip about ourselves! Sometimes "details" about a person or situation are passed along with seemingly the best of intentions, but even with the best of intentions hurt can result. Often, gossip is simply negative or confidential information that makes the sender and receiver feel important for being "in the know."
Scripture uses many analogies and examples to explain what gossip actually entails. Solomon advised, "The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, and they go down into the inmost body" (Proverbs 18:8). Also: "A talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter" (Proverbs 11:13). And: "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 now taking a "hands off" approach with most people in this age is that "they are whisperers, backbiters" (Romans 1:29–30). Paul 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).
Notice what God taught about gossip to the congregation in the wilderness. "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 does not follow the principle of "love your neighbor as yourself" (v. 18). Interestingly, the Bible makes no exceptions that allow idle talk or spreading rumors about others. In fact, 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 is a friend. But ask yourself the old "bridge question"—if your friend asked you to jump off a bridge, would you? Should you?
Love Covers
A mature and loving brother or sister will not draw attention to a fellow Christian’s sins. "Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins" (Proverbs 10:12). This does not mean that like ostriches we bury our heads in the sand. But neither should we gossip and spread a matter out for all to see. This does not mean that we should pretend that nothing is wrong, but we as loving Christians must deal with matters discreetly—at the right time, the right place and with the right people (Matthew 18:15-20). All too often we forget this vital biblical principle. This is truly a matter of our Christianity.
When is something gossip, and not just passing on information? The "golden rule" is a good tool for discernment. "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets" (Matthew 7:12). This is a very simple rule of thumb, but how often do we really follow it? It is actually quite simple. The next time you find yourself tuned in to the "gossip 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 2:3–4)? Is this information true? Can this information be passed on? If not, then will I resolve that it ends with me?"
Some have wondered whether the example given in 2 Timothy 2:16–18 is an example of gossip. Paul was writing about two individuals: Hymenaeus and Philetus. These two were guilty of damaging the faith of other Church members and causing division within the congregation— through falsehoods, half-truths or no truths at all—which God plainly hates (Proverbs 6:19). So, how was Paul’s letter an example of passing along information, rather than gossiping about two people? Simply put, Paul was an apostle writing to the young evangelist Timothy—a shepherd writing to another shepherd. As shepherds, it was their responsibility to protect the flock, the same responsibility that God’s ministers have today. Paul’s letter was not an example of gossip, but rather of protecting and edifying the sheep.
Another vital point: "The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous will be delivered" (Proverbs 11:9, KJV). Evangelist Charles Bryce, in his online Bible Study on the book of Proverbs (available in the Bible Study area of www.lcg.org), 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).
Root Causes
Some of the root causes of gossip are clear. "For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all but are busybodies" (2 Thessalonians 3:11). Some people seem to have so much time on their hands that they have nothing better to do. Paul describes such people: "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). The truth of the matter is that true Christians will never want to hurt others—even unknowingly—by interfering with, speaking ill of or gossiping about them.
Is the subject of gossip really that big a deal? Is it really something to become so concerned about—a matter of salvation? 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 how seriously Peter takes gossip? Peter ranks a busybody right along with thieves and murderers, which shows the importance of the subject. Christians must take the approach, "The buck stops here" and put an end to gossip when it reaches them instead of passing it along. Remember, God’s Church is being judged right now— and our judgment now determines our future. It is vital that we all examine ourselves on this issue (2 Corinthians 13:5).
The third chapter of James gives Christians important guidelines for the use of the tongue. The tongue is one of the smallest members of our body—far smaller than an arm or a leg—but it can be used powerfully for good or for bad. How are you using your tongue? 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 ministers, who "receive a stricter judgment." They receive a stricter judgment because they can either help people or hurt people—even drive them away from God’s Church—by the wrong use of their position or the wrong use of their words (1 Timothy 4:16). This is a tremendous responsibility!
However, this admonition applies to all teachers, not just ministers. When we take it upon ourselves to pass along information we have received, we are in a sense taking on the role of a teacher, and thus becoming subject to a stricter judgment. Even if we are trying to do good by sharing what we know, we must be very careful. No matter whether one is a false minister, a recognized teacher, or merely a well-meaning person trying to "do good" by gossiping, one who leads another person astray—even accidentally or unknowingly—will come under condemnation (Luke 17:1–2). We must be careful, because without even knowing it we could easily be spreading false doctrines or false ideas, as well as incorrect facts.
As a true Christian, do not let yourself become an interested listener to heresies or evil words spoken against others. The 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).