Gossip – audio

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Introduction

1. I maim without killing.

2. I break hearts and ruin lives.

3. I am cruel and malicious and gather strength with age.

4. The more I am quoted, the more I am believed.

5. I flourish at every level of society.

6. My victims are helpless.

a. They cannot protect themselves against me because I have no name and no face.

b. To track me down is impossible.

c. The harder you try, the more elusive I become.

7. I’m nobody’s friend.

8. I topple governments and ruin marriages.

9. I destroy careers, cause heartache and many sleepless nights.

10. I spawn suspicion and generate grief.

11. I make innocent people cry into their pillows at night.

12. I am gossip.

Body

I. WHAT IS GOSSIP?

A. A Definition.

1. Casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details that are not confirmed as being true.

2. Chiefly derogatory, a person who likes talking about other people’s lives.

B. Four Words. These four words give us some insight into the nature of what gossip really entails.

1. Talebearer / Whisperer.

a) Proverbs 11:13.

b) A talebearer is one who likes to reveal secrets.

c) He does this in whispers.

2. Backbiter.

a) 2 Corinthians 12:20.

b) Literally: one who speaks against or speaks back.

c) Brings with it the idea of speaking secretly about someone behind their back.

d) As a result, the one being spoken of has no opportunity to defend himself.

3. Busybody.

a) 2 Thessalonians 3:11.

(1) From a compound verb meaning to work around.

(2) In other words, to be busy in other people’s affairs.

b) 1 Peter 4:15.

(1) From two words: That which belongs to another, and overseer.

(2) So busybodies are people who think they are overseers over other people’s business.

(3) Also, notice that being a busybody is listed right along with being a murderer, thief, and evildoer.

c) Busybodies are “peeping Toms.” Always peeping into other people’s lives.

4. Slanderer.

a) 2 Timothy 3:1-3.

b) Slander – to accuse.

c) The Greek word for slanderer is “diabolos” or devil.

d) Psalm 101:5.

e) Psalm 140:11.

C. What is gossip?

1. Being busy in other people’s affairs.

2. Telling tales about others.

3. Telling these tales behind their backs.

4. Accusing others of things without giving them the chance to defend themselves.

D. An important note.

1. If you become aware of a brother or sister not behaving properly…

2. Matthew 18:15-17.

3. First go to that brother or sister and…

a) Confirm the truthfulness or untruthfulness of the facts.

b) If that brother or sister is guilty of sin, encourage them to repent.

4. If they won’t repent, take one or two witnesses with you that every word may be established.

5. If there is still no repentance, reveal it to the church.

6. This is not gossip. Gossip is speaking of others with no intention of helping them.

II. WHY IS GOSSIP SUCH A PROBLEM?

A. People enjoy it. Proverbs 18:8.

1. Gossip is like an all-you-can-eat buffet with a dessert bar.

2. Gossip is like a hot fudge peanut butter sundae made with chocolate peanut butter ice cream.

B. Why is gossip so tasty?

1. I am convinced that there is a part of us that likes to hear about the misdeeds / weaknesses of others because it makes us feel better about ourselves.

2. We have a bit of the Pharisee in us. Luke 18:9-12.

III. GOSSIP CAUSES GREAT HARM.

A. James 3:5-8.

1. Gossip is a wildfire gone out of control.

2. We may try to put it out but it has a life of it’s own.

3. It is full of deadly poison (v.8).

B. Gossip can destroy friendships. Proverbs 16:28.

C. Gossip causes division and strife. Proverbs 26:20.

D. Gossip causes fierce anger. Proverbs 25:23.

E. Often, gossip spreads falsehood. Ephesians 4:25.

F. Being a Gossip / Busybody / Talebearer / Whisperer / Backbiter will cause you to be lost. Romans 1:29-32.

IV. THE REMEDY FOR GOSSIP.

A. Repent! Don’t listen to gossip.

1. Proverbs 20:19.

2. If the gossip has no one to talk to, he will cease.

3. Put a stop it by saying:

a) Brother, this sounds a lot like gossip and I can’t take part in that. Or…

b) Brother, this is serious business. Let’s go and talk to brother ____ and see if this is true.

B. Watch your tongue carefully.

1. Ephesians 4:29.

2. If our words tear people down rather than build them up, we must keep quiet.

C. Realize that you will have to give an account of all your words. Matthew 12:36-37.

D. Pray as David did: Psalm 141:3-4.

Delivered on: November 13, 2011. Streetsboro.