Online Sermons
Lesson #4 - Gossip
Series: Taming The TongueLesson #4 – Gossip
1. The etymology of this word comes from “god-sib” - - implying a close personal relationship.
The word has pejorated and has now come to represent the abuse of a close-knit relationship.
Someone has termed it ACID INDISCRETION.
In his book, Speaking From The Heart, Ken Durham makes this observation.
Careers, ministries, marriages, even entire congregations of the church have been crippled by LOOSE AND UNSUBSTANIATED TALK allowed to go unchecked because no one had the integrity or courage to break the gossip chain.
Make a list of related words: grapevine…dirty laundry… idle talk…innuendo…
rumor…scuttlebutt…hearsay…slander…libel…whisperer…tattler…talebearing…busybody…backbiting…
2. Wise words about foolish gossip.
Eccl.10:20 (NCV) / Don’t make fun of the king, and don’t make fun of rich people, even in your bedroom.
A little bird might carry your words; a bird might fly and tell what you said.
Prov.11:13 / he who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy conceals a matter.
Prov.16:28 (NCV) / A useless person causes trouble, and a gossip ruins friendships.
Prov.17:9 / He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends.
Prov.18:8 (NCV) / the words of a gossip are like tasty bits of food. People like to gobble them up.
Prov.10:19 / He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, therefore do not associate with a gossip.
Prov.26:20 (NCV) / Without wood, a fire will go out, and without gossip, quarreling will stop.
cf. Rom.1:29-30/gossips and slanderers … 2Thess.3:11/busybodies … 1Tim.3:11 & Titus 2:3/malicious gossips …
1Tim.5:13/gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention
In Scripture, what is another name for the devil?
The word “diabolos” is used 34 times as a title of Satan. It can be rendered The Accuser or The Slanderer.
3. Have you ever been hurt and harmed by gossip?
cf. Js.3:5b - Behold, how great a forest fire is set aflame by such a small fire.
Is there a likelihood that “whoever gossips to you will gossip about you”?
Have you ever been guilty of spreading a rumor?
Is it not a double-shame that gossip sometimes flourishes in the church?
Discuss the difference between slander and gossip.
William Barclay writes: “In many ways whispering is worse that slandering because a man can at least defend himself
against an open slanderer, but he is helpless against the secret whisperer who delights in destroying reputations.”
4. How can we engage in filtering what we hear?
How about using Phlip.4:8 or Js.3:17-18
What is your reason for telling me? … Where did you get your information? … Have you gone directly to those involved? …
Have you personally checked out all the facts? … Can I quote you if I check this out?
