What Does The Bible Say About Gossip And Slander
Almost all of us have probably talked about someone behind their backs. Some of it might be true but most of the time, theyre just malicious information with no factual basis. In short, theyre worthless pieces of gossip.
But what we usually dont realize is that those seemingly harmless pieces of gossip can lead to slander. Before we know it, lives have been ruined and someones reputation is in tatters.
This is how dangerous a slanderous comment can be. It can destroy friendships and tear families apart. And as history proves time and time again, a mere piece of gossip can bring about generations of feud and chaos. Thats on top of a costly lawsuit.
Even in the bible, gossip and slander are viewed as something that goes against Gods will. In fact, the ninth commandment says Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbor. The worst thing about this is, even if we know that gossiping is a sin, we still do it. The act of talking about others behind their backs has become so commonplace that it has essentially become a part of human nature. This is why the apostle James said that humans can tame almost all kinds of animals in the world but not our own tongues because taming the tongue requires Gods help.
If you want to know more about what the bible says about gossip and slander, here are some bible verses to check out:
Bible Verses About Gossip And How To Deal Biblically
Bible verses about gossip remind us how serious the sin of gossip is and that we should know how to guard our words when we speak about others!
Gossip is an interesting word. Its meaning is so different today than it did so many years ago. It is quite like the word it describes. Gossip starts as one thing and then by the end of the day, after so many retellings, it becomes something else.
Gossip is hard to stop. It easily entices people and yet it has to be stopped. It does no one any good. Most of the time, it brings a world of harm to those touched by it. Gossip has been around even in the Old Testament days. Let us look and listen to what the Bible says about this.
A Prayer To Turn A Deaf Ear To Gossip
Lord,
Help me to guard my ears and my mouth. Let me operate in love and self-control so that I dont participate in the tearing down of other people. As David prayed in Psalm 19:14, Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen.
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Whats The Difference Between Sharing And Gossiping
The difference between sharing and gossip is subtle but depends on the purpose of sharing the information. To determine if you are sharing instead of gossiping, answer these questions:
Am I lying or telling the truth?
Am I building the person up or tearing them down?
Did I talk to the other person about the problem?
Have I checked myself for a plank in my eye?
Why do I feel the need to share this information?
Will sharing this information improve the situation?
Gossiping is essentially sharing information with someone who does not need it about another person for the purpose of drawing ill attention. People like to do when others make a poor decision because it gives us the power to feel superior and in control of ourselves. However, gossip does the opposite it steals someone elses sense of trust and turns the gossiper into a vicious person willing to harm others for their own purposes and connects us to Satan, not God.
When sharing, our motives are pure. Sometimes negative things need to be shared but for the purpose of improving the situation, not to make it worse. Test your motives by asking yourself do you want the other person to know what you said about them. If the answer is no, its gossip. Also, if the information you plan to share is a heavy burden for you that you wish to unload with altruistic purpose, then it may not be gossip and might then be venting.
What The Bible Says About Turning Your Back On Someone
The Bible favors forgiveness and reconciliation, but it also upholds the principle of repentance. If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over . In other words, if someone repents after sinning against us, we are to forgive them.
However, if someone refuses to repent after hurting us, we are free to walk away from that relationship. The Bible says, Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? . So we are not obligated to remain in relationships with those who refuse to repent and turn from their wicked ways.
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Difference Between Gossip And Slander
These two terms are interchangeable. Gossip is often given a pass as a harmless repetition of something heard. Slander is viewed as repeating lies or rumors about another to intentionally do harm or damage to them.
How does one know what is true or what is rumor? Without asking for clarification we will not know.
Its best to refrain from repeating a matter any matter to another person. The only exception is if the other person can truly help in the matter.
If they cannot help then do not share it.
Does The Bible Talk About Homosexuality
This is one of the most controversial and personal topics people are exploring right now.
And we know many people have used the Bible to demonize and exclude others. To those whove felt excluded, we invite you to watch this apology.
Of the more than 31,000 verses in the Bible, fewer than 10 specifically reference homosexuality. We invite you to check them out in the links below. But instead of just reading individual verses and forming your ideas in isolation, we also suggest getting a bigger picture.
As you do this, youre likely to find a wider sexual ethic running through the Bible: that God is a fan of sex and all that it brings. Because of this, we find protections and prescriptions for sexual expression in the Bible. In fact, the New Testament offers several lists of barred behaviors that can hurt our relationship with both God and othersand two of these lists include references to certain homosexual activities. But even these descriptions are accompanied by a deep awareness of the gracious invitation of God.
You can find the prohibitions against specific homosexual acts in Leviticus 18 and Leviticus 20, among the many laws given to the ancient Jewish people. And in the New Testament, Romans 1 paints a big picture of broken relationships running amok, with certain acts again singled out. Yet Romans 2 offers a larger picturewith a clear caution to people who judge others negatively.
To learn even more about Gods compassion, grace, and love, Look Inside.
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What Does God Say About Caregivers
For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do. Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true.
So What Do I Do About Gossip
First, if you catch yourself falling into gossip stop. If you dont pass on the gossip there is nowhere for it to go. This includes gossip magazines and television. While it may not seem as sinful to read those magazines, you are contributing to gossip.
Also, when you are faced with a statement that may or may not be gossip, check out the facts. For instance, if you hear someone has an eating disorder, go to the person. If you dont feel comfortable talking to the person yourself, and the rumor is something serious, you may want to go to a parent, pastor, or youth leader. Getting someone to help in a serious situation is not gossip as long as the information stays with you and the person you go to for help.
If you want to avoid gossip, focus on creating helpful and encouraging statements. Let the gossip and end with you and remember the Golden Rule if you dont want people to gossip about you, then dont participate in gossip.
- Proverbs 26:20 Without wood, a fire goes out without gossip, a quarrel dies down.
- Deuteronomy 13:14 Then you must inquire, probe and investigate it thoroughly.
- Matthew 7:12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
- Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
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Why Are There So Many Bad Feelings About The Bible
Good question. And while some have issues with what the Bible actually says, others have problems with the people who quote it.
Before we begin, please watch the video for a long-overdue apology.
Okay. So there are a lot of people out there who believe the Bible is judgmental, inconsistent, ignorant, and old-fashioned. Their issue is with the Bible itself. Some of those people have read the Bible. Some havent. And some dont even want to, since some obnoxious Bible-beater has turned them off. Their issue is with Bible people.
Lets deal with the Bible issue first.
Can the Bible judge us at times? Yes. And thats not always fun. Sort of like a personal trainer pushing you to be your best self. But along with the judgment, theres a stronger message of love. The two actually go together. Is it old-fashioned? Well, its certainly old. But despite the fact that it was written by 40 or more people thousands of years ago, we still find great wisdom and fresh ideas in the Bible. But dont take our word for it. Look inside the Bible and see for yourself.
Now, to the Bible people issue.
We think theres a big difference between wielding the Bible as a sledgehammer and letting it lead us into an authentic interaction with God. Were aiming for the latter.
Whether your feelings about the Bible have been negative, positive, or apathetic, we invite you to get the whole picture by Looking Inside.
How Should Christians Respond To Gossip
As Christians, we should respond to gossip in the same way we are called to respond to everything else in life with Jesus in our hearts. We should always be mindful of what comes out of our own mouths at all times. But we should also always be alert to the tactics of the enemy which can easily encourage us to participate in gossip without realizing it.
We must always, just like in every single area of our lives, be alert to the tactics of the enemy. We must always check ourselves because, unfortunately, we are at the most risk of falling victim to his tactics. Those who seek to build the Kingdom are the ones the enemy will always try to recruit.
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Scripture Has A Lot To Say About Spreading Gossip
The Bible speaks often warning people to avoid gossip as it can cause a myriad of problems. According to the word, gossip can separate friends , cause quarreling , keeps people in trouble , can lead to ungodliness , and can lead to bitterness and anger . Many other verses expound on gossip, focusing on avoiding spreading rumors, lying, and slander. Scripture makes it clear that gossip should not be part of a Christian repertoire.
Although many believe gossip to be harmless, the point of gossip shows the true nature of the act. Gossip cause harm because of the underlying purpose of tearing someone down. True Godly love does not dishonor others but helps to build them up and encourage them . When people take part in rumors, they choose to dishonor someone and cause strife which is inherently against the nature and will of God.
1. Proverbs 16:28 A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.
2. Proverbs 26:20 Without wood, a fire goes out without gossip, a conflict ceases.
3. Proverbs 11:13 A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.
4. Proverbs 26:22 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels they go down to the inmost parts.
5. Leviticus 19:16 Never gossip. Never endanger your neighbors life. I am the Lord.
6. Luke 6:31 And as you would that men should do to you, do you also to them likewise.
What Does The Bible Tell Us About Gossip
A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret. Proverbs 11:13
A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends. Proverbs 16:28
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels they go down to the inmost parts. Proverbs 18:8
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A gossip betrays a confidence so avoid anyone who talks too much. Proverbs 20:19
Without wood, a fire goes out without a gossip, a quarrel dies down. Proverbs 26:20
For I am afraid that when I come, I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder. 2 Corinthians 12:20
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What Does The Bible Say About Gossip And Backbiting
The Bible doesnt say much about gossip and backbiting specifically, but it does have a lot to say about the sin of bearing false witness. In general, the Bible teaches that we should not speak falsely against others, nor should we listen to those who do.
Proverbs 12:19 says, The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. And in Ephesians 4:15, Paul writes, speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ. So while the Bible doesnt condone gossip and backbiting specifically, it does teach that speaking truthfully and lovingly is important.
Bible Verses About Gossip And Rumors
We see rumors everywhere. They are in the media, on Facebook, and in our churches. Unfortunately, they are often in our own family. There isnt much we can do to change other peoples actions, but we can control ourselves.
A gossip betrays a confidence so avoid anyone who talks too much.
Proverbs 20:19
Begin with avoiding anyone who is spreading the rumors and drama. This can be a hurtful step, but separating ourselves from those who are creating the drama will dramatically reduce the stress in our lives.
But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices.
Colossians 3:8-9
Rid yourself of the rumors and filthy language. Be sure you do no add to it or engage in any way.
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Say Something Good About The Person
This is one of the most effective ways to avoid being caught up in a gossip web. The moment they start sharing tidbits of private information or baseless rumors, you can just say, Oh speaking of them, did you know they brought me casserole when I was sick? That was so nice and thoughtful of them. The person would most likely stop gossiping about them. Who knows? Maybe saying something good about the person can change their minds and perspectives.
Gossip In The Bible: What Does God Say About It
What does the Bible say about gossip? This is a question that many people ask, and there is no easy answer. Gossip can be defined in many ways, but at its core, it is simply talking about someone behind their back. In the Bible, gossip is condemned as one of the worst sins that a person can commit. There are several verses in the Bible that talk about gossip, and they all emphasize how serious God considers this sin to be.
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