Did you hear what he did? Has anyone told you what she said? Do you know what he believes? I’d be careful with that guy…. Rumors and gossip can be spread countless ways and it’s almost the default for most people. One could argue that all social media could be boiled down to essentially a digital gossip marketplace. Countless relationships have been ruined and broken because of gossip that one person spread about another. It’s okay if you disagree with someone, but it’s destructive to then talk about that person to others without that person’s knowledge. The Bible condemns gossip and warns against it. As Christ followers, we should have nothing to do with talking about people behind their backs or spreading information in a hurtful way.

“A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.” (Proverbs 16:28)

“A gossip goes around telling secrets, so don’t hang around with chatterers.” (Proverbs 20:19)

“A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.” (Proverbs 11:13)

If you are known to constantly talk about other people to people, then you will be known as untrustworthy. How then can you be trusted to spread the Good News of the Gospel if you hurt your credibility by being a gossip? Christians are tasked with representing Christ, with bringing the Good News to others, and we hurt our testimony if people can’t trust what we say.

“I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.” (1 Corinthians 1:10)

“Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” (Ephesians 4:29)

So many divisions in the churches have come from gossip, from people talking about other people instead of talking to other people. As Christ-followers, everything we say should be good and helpful, not deceitful! We should be encouraging to others, not tearing down those with whom we disagree. Jesus gave us guidelines for handling disputes and disagreements.

“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector” (Matthew‬ ‭18‬:‭15‬-‭17‬)

How different would the church be, how different would Christians look, if we followed these guidelines when someone offended or hurt us? The old saying, “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all” has its roots in Scripture.

“Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.” (Proverbs 10:19)

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.