What Does The Bible Say About Gossip | How to Handle Gossip Biblically | Biblical Consequences of Gossip
Talking about other people has become a habit for most of those who dislike talking about their issues. The intention behind talking about others, to me, seems like hiding their own unresolved issues and spreading rumors about others.
The fact is, those who gossip loses their own reputation in the long term and truth doesn’t need to reveal, it reveals itself. Unfortunately, I feel bad accepting that most of the women have a habit of talking ill about others.
In this article I will share some Bible Verses which will give a serious insight for those men and women who like gossiping. Before we jump to the answer to what does the bible says about gossip, let’s understand the deeper meaning of the gossip first.
What is Gossip According to The Bible
According to the holy Bible, Gossip is the simplest and easiest sin one can do on a daily basis. Gossip is considered a sin because it can harm another person’s reputation in the society. Gossip is a way to share someone’s secret to another person which is ethically wrong and sinful.
Gossip includes habits such as backbiting, idle talk, slander and speaking negatively, sharing information that can damage another person’s character. The Bible doesn’t allow Talking negatively or sharing other people’s secret information behind their back.
If you gossip or get involved, knowingly or unknowingly, beware from now on and think it over. As spending time even listening to gossip might contribute to the sin list and harm the goodness you have been doing in the past.
Lets see what does the bible say about gossip and backstabbing.
What does The Bible Say About Gossip
Proverbs 16:28 – “A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.”
Proverbs 20:19 – “A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.”
Proverbs 26:20 – “Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.”
After Studying and understanding the deeper intention behind these verses, I can say that God does not allow anyone to gossip. If someone does and struggles in their own life, consider it the outcome of talking ill about other people.
Gossip is not only a sin but it has many small impacts on the society we are living in. It manipulates people, damages relationships between two and there is no doubt that it breaks trust.
James 1:26 – “Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.”
All of the outcome of a simple act, talking wrong about someone’s back, tells us to develop better habits. Habits such as inspire someone, help others and stay focused on your inner self. Knowing the answer of What does The Bible Say About Gossip isn’t enough.
Also Read about 4 Stages of Forgiveness in The Bible .
Let’s find out what are some of the consequences someone experiences in their life after gossiping.
What are Some Biblical Consequences of Gossip
1- Gossip Breaks Trust
Proverbs 11:13 – “A gossip betrays confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.”
Yes, sharing a simple or small fact about someone who trusted you makes you lose trust of the person. Trust, it’s one of the most expensive things in the world these days. If someone shows their confidence in you, make sure to enhance the trust not break by gossiping.
Let the other person know that your relationship with yourself or other persona is strong and you trust them, even if secretly you don’t. It will save you from engaging in a sinful conversation.
2- Gossip Damages Relationships
Proverbs 16:28 – “A perverse person stirs up conflict, and gossip separates close friends.”
Is painful to see when two friends get into a fight because somebody else said something. Sometimes the false information seems so real and connected that you can’t ignore the one who is sharing it with you.
Such people can break your greatest friendship in one conversation based on false information. If you are reading this article and have doubts about your friendship with someone, kindly don’t trust the other person.
Gossip often leads to division and can make two friends separate for the lifetime by harming their bond and breaking their relationship.
3- Gossip Creates Conflict
Proverbs 26:20 – “Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.”
One of the best ways to create conflicts between two people is to spread rumors about them separately. I believe there is no need to get into a talk where the subject is not available. Gossips can spoil your mood and damage your clean heart.
Even if you say something positive, you never know that the other one spread the same world. In order to protect yourself from such acts, not talking about other people is the best option.
4- Gossips Steals the Peace
James 3:5-6 – “The tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.”
When you talk evil or reveal other people’s secret information, you create an unbreakable habit. You make your tongue test something which is stinky and damaging. Your mind creates more gossip and forces you to spread among other people.
To those who are looking for a simple answer to “what does the bible say about gossip” Here is a simple one. “Gossip can take away yours and other people’s peace instantly”. Those who engage themselves into these damaging activities never find peace in their hearts.
I am sure, after knowing all these damaging consequences you are willing to move on. You might need to know how to protect yourself from such sinful acts. Here are some effective ways that might help you separate yourself from such people.
How to Handle Gossip Biblically
1- Speak directly to the person spreading the gossip
Matthew 18:15-17 “instructs believers to address issues of conflict directly with the person involved, rather than gossiping about them to others. This may involve having a private conversation with the person and sharing your concerns in a gentle and loving manner.”
If you are willing to get into any such conversation, even after hearing something about you, you can do it. Take a deep breath, clear your mind and go to the person directly. Having direct conversation is not only loud and clear but saves you from negative emotions.
Once you know the truth, you will feel better, develop a better bond with the person and live a peaceful life. It’s the only Biblical way to do the right thing and protect yourself from gossip. Direct communication is another step to moving forward from the question “what does the bible say about gossip”. Therefore, protect yourself.
2- Keep confidential information private
If someone shares their secret to you, make sure to bury it inside you. Listening to someone is a quality not everyone has. Most importantly, being someone who can be trusted with your secret is next level human requirement which is hard to find.
If someone is opening their heart with you, know your worth, value their trust and never share it with anyone. Even if someone is spreading wrong information about that person and you know the secret truth, don’t try to prove them wrong.
There is a reason why truth is secret and you must keep it as it is.
3- Refuse to participate in gossip
Proverbs 20:19 “A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.”
While looking for an answer to “what does the bible say about gossip”, you got that it’s considered as sin. Are you willing to do a sin by just listening or participating in others’ acts? I am sure you are wise and God’s child.
Those who gossip don’t even understand that talking ill about another person is not a good act. Therefore, protecting yourself from such people is your responsibility. The best way to do it, don’t participate in such conversations.
Tell them in a clear word that you don’t have time for it or you are not interested in talking about others. It simply wastes your time and energy. Talking, thinking or doing is your personal choice, Right? Choose wisely.
4- Pray for those involved
Trust me, those who are involved in gossip groups are unhappy with their life and need prayers. Take out some time and pray for those they talk about and for those who talk about others. Let God guide them to mind their one business.
Thinking, praying and guiding other people to do the right thing is a better option than being part of gossip. Encourage other people to do the same and spread positivity around the world. One small act makes a huge difference , especially with the positive attitude and faith in God.
Also Read about 7 Keys to Effective Prayer.
Final Words: When I decided to answer the question to “what does the bible say about gossip” I didn’t realize that unknowingly we get into the conversation which is unhealthy. It’s crucial to keep your consciousness so clean every time that it warns you immediately to get out of ill talks.
Not gossiping is easy but stopping someone who is gossiping with you is the real challenge. The best way to do so is, tell them in a clear and loud voice to not do it with you.
If you found this article healthy, informative and worth sharing, spread it around the world making awareness about this sinful act. Also, don’t forget to bookmark this page for more informative articles like “what does the bible say about gossip” for instant access in the future.
Stay Healthy, Stay Blessed