Christian Gossip

Dear Victorious,

Does the Bible have anything to say about gossip? I know most religions consider it a sin, but I wonder what the Biblical basis is for it. I have to admit that I like gossip because it's interesting to hear about other people's lives. I also think that gossip could have a benefit in that it could help make us aware of other people's needs, prayer for them, etc. I've got a friend who says that no good can come of gossip. Who's right here?

Cinda R. - Dallas, TX

Dear Cinda,

Your friend is right. The Bible has a great deal to say about gossip - and none of it is positive. Look at Proverbs 11:13, 16:28, 18:8, 20:19, and 26:20 & 22. Then look at Romans 1:29 and 2 Corinthians 12:20. The Apostle Paul puts it, in Romans 1:29, right up there with murder, envy, slander, deceit, jealousy, selfish ambition, etc.

I think the heart of the matter here is the intent. If you really cared about someone's needs and wanted to assist them or pray for them, there are better ways to get and convey the information. Word of mouth is not how something should be communicated. So examine the heart of the person telling the gossip and the heart of the person seeking the gossip.

We may find the tidbits of other people's lives to be interesting and entertaining. But if we are discussing someone else to feed our own selfish desires, what good could come of that? We need to stay as far from gossip as possible. And when gossip is passed to us, we need to stop the passing. It goes no further than me. The dictionary defines gossip as "idle talk." Philippians 4:8 tells us to focus on things that are excellent and worth of praise. Idle talk not included.