a
II
i3
iI
.
I GOSSlp
II
See also Communication
I
1. Gossip can cause deep hurt to others and ourselves.
II Proverbs 26:20-22 Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip
a quarrel dies down. As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so
is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. The words of a gossip are
3 like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts.
Proverbs 13:3 He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who
speaks rashly will come to ruin.
:I Proverbs 20: 19 A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who
talks too much.
3 Obadiah 1:12 You should not look down on your brother in the
day of his misfortune, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the
day of their destruction, nor boast so much in the day of their trouble.
rI 2. Gossip is a choice we can avoid.
Proverbs 17:28 Even a fool is thought wiseifhe keepssilent, and
~ discerning if he holds his tongue.
95
3
GOSSIP
1 Peter 3:10 For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must
keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech."
James 1:26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not
keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion
is worthless.
Proverbs 18:21 The tongue has the power oflife and death, and
those who love it will eat its fruit.
Psalm 141:3 Set a guard over my mouth, 0 LORD;keep watch
over the door of my lips.
James 3:11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the
same spring?
3. Gossip and unwholesome speech produce negative qualities.
Proverbs 10:18 He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and
whoever spreads slander is a fool.
Galatians 5:15 If you keep on biting and devouring each other,
watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
ad
2 Timothy 2: 16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge
in it will become more and more ungodly.
Proverbs 21:23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps Ie
himself from calamity.
4. Believersmust replace gossip with love and the building up of one &:
another.
Proverbs 17:9 He who coversover an offensepromotes love,but
whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. I:
Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of
your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according J::
to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Proverbs 16:24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul
and healing to the bones.
I:
Colossians 4:6 Let your conversation be always full of grace,
seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. c:
96
&:
:s GOSSIP
5. Principle: Be very careful what you say
::2 -because it is the right thing to do.
-because you never know how it will come back to affect you.
~ Ecclesiastes 10:20 Do not revile the king even in your thoughts,
or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird of the air may
carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say.
~
:=
:=
==
:;
:1
::I
:=
:;
:II
97
;j
