Gossiping is a harmful behaviour that involves sharing information about others, often in a way that is hurtful, damaging, or untruthful ( 1 Timothy 5:13 )
TYPES OF GOSSIPING
- Spreading rumors: Sharing unverified or false information about someone ( Isaiah 37:7 )
- Revealing secrets: Disclosing confidential or personal information about someone without their consent. ( Proverbs 11:13 )
- Criticism or slander: Making negative or false comments about someone, often with the intention of harming their reputation ( Proverbs 10:18 )
THINGS TO CONSIDER ABOUT GOSSIPING AS A CHRISTIAN
- Christians are not to be tagged with the vices of gossiping ( 1 Timothy 3:11 )
- Gossipers will be held accountable for their carnal deeds ( Matthew 12:36 )
- Christians are to preach the Gospel and not to spread gossips ( 1 Cor 9:16 )
- Gossipers can never be trusted in words and actions ( Proverbs 26:25 )
- Gossiping is a corrupt attitude of a carnal person ( Romans 1:29 )
- Gossiping is executing death power on your tongue ( Proverbs 18:21 )
- Gossips can be truthful or full of lies ( Psalm 69:26 )
- Gossip is a nature of man but must be controlled positively ( 1 Timothy 3:11 )
- Information from Gossip are allegations which can be true or false ( 1 Timothy 5:13 )
- Gossiping is the nature of mankind but can be corrupt by desires of the flesh ( Galatians 5:19-21 )
POSITIVE IMPACT OF GOSSIP
- Avenue of awareness to information ( Ruth 2:11 )
- Sense of security if the gossip is true ( 1 Samuel 19:1-2 )
- Help to generate new relationships ( 1 Samuel 19:2 )
- Reinforce social norms and standards on this earth
- Can serve as a form of entertainment among people
- Gossip can make you receive rewards if true ( Esther 6:1-14 )
- Gossips can save and preserve ones life ( Esther 2:21-23 )
HOW TO RECOGNIZE GOSSIPERS
- Gossipers are mostly liars and wicked people ( Proverbs 17:4 )
- Some Gossipers are worthless and evil people in life ( Ephesians 4:29 )
- Gossipers mouth are full of deceptions and corruption ( 2 Peter 2:13 )
- Gossipers are carnal minded and troublemakers ( 2 Tim 3:3 )
- Gossipers sows discord information and accounts ( Proverbs 6:14 )
- Gossipers are confused people and breed conflicts ( James 4:1 )
- Gossipers mostly talk about people affairs rather than their personal interests ( Mark 1:45 )
- Gossipers often speak negatively about others, criticising and mocking them ( Matthew 7:2 )
- Gossipers are concern to every conversation and extract information from others ( 2 Timothy 3:7 )
- Gossipers can’t keep silence, talkative and always glancing around ( Proverbs 20:19 )
- Gossipers reveal secrets and betray confidence ( Prov 11:13 )
- Gossipers are curious and exaggerate when sharing information ( Acts 19:19 )
CONSEQUENCES FOR GOSSIPING
- Gossiping make your Christian stand worthless and useless ( James 1:21 )
- Gossips hinder truth and uncover secrets in life ( Proverb 11:13 )
- Gossip cause Conflicts and create disunity ( Proverbs 16:28 )
- Gossiping is a darkness deeds against the word of God ( 2 Corinthians 12:20 )
- Gossip breed quarrying and deny trust of confidence ( Psalm 41:6 )
- Gossip bring disloyalty and hatred among us ( Leviticus 19:16 )
- Gossip destroy friendship, relationship and fellowship ( Proverbs 17:9 )
- Gossip cause emotional pains, embarrassment and distress ( Psalm 69:26 )
- Gossip can lead to anxiety, stress and feelings of vulnerability ( Psalm 41:6 )
- Gossip lead to social isolation and exclusion on this earth
- Gossiping can make you feel guilt and remorse ( Prov 17:19 )
- Gossiping can damage one’s reputation and credibility on earth
- Gossiping is hidden in our heart and can make you miss someone opportunities ( Matthew 15:19 )
- Gossip can decrease productivity, collapse institutions and bring curses to us ( Acts 6:11 )
- Gossiping create toxic work environment and leads to premature death ( Prov 26:22 )
- Gossiping can separate you from God and damage your spiritual growth ( Psalm 101:5 )
- Gossiping can make you lack empathy and compassion for others ( 1 Corinthians 4:13 )
- Gossiping will deny you the presence and blessings of God ( 1 Corinthians 6:10 )
- Gossiping create a negative and corrupt conduct in life ( 2 Tim 3:3 )
- Gossiping is one way to exert power and control over others
- Gossiping makes you lack discretion and share information without considering its effects
- Gossiping make you submit to the devil and lead to Hell ( 1 Tim 3:7 )
Source: Sir Augustine
