Gossip
Romans 1
Romans 1
29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are GOSSIPS, 30 SLANDERERS, haters of God, …..32 Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things DESERVE TO DIE, they not only do them but give approval to those WHO PRACTICE THEM.
Gossip
psithyrismós –
a whisper;
a slander (backbite) - the utterance of false charges or misrepresentations which defame and damage another's reputation
Detractor -One who detracts, or takes away or injures the good name of another; one who attempts to disparage or belittle the worth or honor of another.
Gossip
“Derogatory information about someone that you have that is shared with others in a tone of confidentiality, that is not motivated by doing good to them, and that you are enjoying in a way that shows your heart is not humble.” John Piper
2 Corinthians 12:20 (NASB)
20 For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there will be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, SLANDERS, GOSSIP, arrogance, disturbances;
“… not what I wish “
Wishes for a change in people.
If we become aware that we are going the wrong way – we should change our mind and go a different direction (repent)
Keep doing the right things we are doing. (faithful)
The words we say - Proverbs 18:21
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.
Gossip is often used to �put down someone or to turn �others against that person.
Whether the details spoken are true or are a lie (slander)
Proverbs 26
22 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body. (also Proverbs 18:8)
Gossip from your Pride - which likes knowing something �others don’t know.
It makes you feel special, smart, observant, in the know.
1 Timothy 5:13 (ESV)
13 Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not.
Busybodies (periergos)
busy about trifles and neglectful of important matters, especially busy about other folks' affairs, a busybody. meddlesome
Gossip as a pastime because of the downtime and �idleness of our culture.
We talk about others lives because we don’t have anything entertaining to say about ours.
Is it possible to talk about someone else without gossiping?
If I am building them up �or getting them help.
Romans 15: 1We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For Christ did not please himself
It is a matter of your heart.�
“..what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart” Matt 15:18
What are my intentions?
“Would I be telling this story if the person were here?
Am I hiding this conversation from anyone?
Am I ashamed of it?”
“Would I want someone else to talk this way about me if I were not in this room?”
“Are these words loving toward the person I’m talking to?”
“Are these words loving toward the person we’re talking about?”
We can help one another.�Proverbs 20:5
5 The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.
If I find myself in a situation where gossip, slander, or busybody like behavior is occurring…..
I can simply say “I think we might be crossing the line into Gossip here”
Change direction, change your mind, practice doing differently.
If the group your with doesn’t agree and
they want to continue to practice gossip…..
Change groups.
If I’m not spending my time�in other people’s business, �what do I do instead?
Share your life with others.
How can you share �your life with others?