(Read James 3)
The untamed tongue is a dangerous vice in the hands of a gossip.
Gossipers live their lives in an unrestrained, tongue-flaming, pen wielding rumor mill. Their entire lives become consumed with gathering reports about others and spreading that information with or without verification. The key is this: A gossip takes pleasure in spreading information about other people – even if it’s unverified, filled with speculation or even true.
Think of it this way: It is a mass media rumor mill as some psychologists have defined it. Because of social media, it has become a “normal part of society” and often goes unrecognized… and has become acceptable behavior.
Eph 4:29 says, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
James 1:26, “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.”
Prov 20:19, “Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.”
Proverbs 17:4, “An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.”
Gossipers have an UNCONTROLLABLE URGE to know other people’s business. Once they think know something about someone, their words become holes in their lips and pockets. They have NO RESTRAINT concerning their tongues and delight in “the telling.”
They hangout with or group up with gossipers and hearers of gossip… and, overtime, become unable to contain themselves.
It is important to note, however, that gossipers cannot contain themselves. They have no restraint and are are, at the core, practices, expert liars…. and murderers of people.
In the Scribal realm, many of them reveal themselves by posting opinions and gossip related material on their pages obsessively – day in and day out whether celebrity news, commentaries on people’s personal lives and worst moments… or they weigh in themselves. In person conversation is way worse than this.
YOU CANNOT HIDE A NOSEY, GOSSIPING MINDSET. THIS TYPE OF BEHAVIOR COMES WITH A LACK OF SELF-CONTROL AND SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS. IT ALWAYS REVEALS ITSELF.
Rom 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….”
Solution: This is another type that God alone must deal with.
However you can block them in your own life by:
1. Refuse to listen.
2. Change the conversation.
3. Never let a gossip whisper in your presence. Be loud with them! I do this all the time. Have them speak up, especially around others. Don’t let them pull you to the side. If it can’t be said aloud maybe it shouldn’t be spoken at all!
4. Challenge the gossip with truth.
5. Let the person know they are gossiping and that this is something you refuse to be a part of or have in your life. Set this boundary firmly.
So much more could be said about this. For scribes, be careful… many broadcasts and publications (even comedic) and in the church, thrive on gossip. They take pleasure in the murder of others
