Why do people feel it necessary to gossip? According to psychologists, there are many reasons why people gossip:
- To feel superior
- out of boredom
- out of envy
- To feel like they are part of something
- to get attention
- out of anger
- out of unhappiness
I am sure there are many other reasons why people gossip, but these are probably somewhere in the top. However, there is a problem with gossiping and that is the Lord hates it.
Proverbs 6:16-19 New International Version (NIV)
16 There are six things the Lord hates,
seven that are detestable to him:
17 haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush into evil,
19 a false witness who pours out lies
and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.
But why does God hate gossip so much? Gossip damages people and God made and loves each of us, so when you try to damage a person, you are trying to damage God. Gossip can lead a person or even a nation against God.
While God will try to stop you from gossiping and doing other things that He thinks is evil, eventually He will stop. In other words even the Lord has a point in time when He decides enough is enough.
Romans 1:28-32 New International Version (NIV)
28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.
Is gossiping worth it? I would say the answer is no. Sure you might get that instantaneous satisfaction, but ultimately it will hurt you. To continue to do something against God’s will is sin and sin leads to death.
James 1:15 New International Version (NIV)
15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
There are many questions you have to ask yourself and one of them is do you want death or eternal life with God? If the later, then maybe it is time to start acting as God expects and stop gossiping.
You may say great, but what exactly is gossip?
- Tell a secret (Proverbs 11:13)
- Talk too much about others (Proverbs 16:28)
- Use our words to add fuel to a fight (Proverbs 26:20)
- Discuss topics we shouldn’t (1 Timothy 5:13)
- We are also gossiping any time our words cause division (Proverbs 16:28)
If you can start a sentence with I should not be telling you this, then stop right there and say nothing. Lets face it, if you should not be telling then don’t
I pray that if you have a loose tongue, that God will make you aware of it. Notice I did not say change it. It is up to you to decide to change the behavior or not, but you must first be aware that you are gossiping. I pray that once the Lord makes you aware, that you will alter your behavior or at least recognize that you need help. In Jesus name I ask for this, amen!