Gossip: Spreading negative information with no redemptive purpose

Proverbs 16:27–28 NIV

A scoundrel plots evil, and on their lips it is like a scorching fire. A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.

What is gossip?

It could be deceptive, it could be a lie.

But it could also be the truth. How do you know if speaking the truth with one person or another is gossip?

Gossip: spreading negative information with no redemptive purpose.

Ask yourself this question: Do you have a redemptive purpose for the negative information your speaking?

Proverbs 26:18–22 (NIV)

Like a maniac shooting

flaming arrows of death

is one who deceives their neighbor

and says, “I was only joking!”

Without wood a fire goes out;

without a gossip a quarrel dies down.

As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire,

so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.

The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;

they go down to the inmost parts.

Example:

Last week I felt really great about the sermon. So after 11 am Sam and I were counting the offering and it was much higher than normal. Sam commented on it and I said, “Yeah, that’s because I’m a better preacher than Hogan.” In a slightly raised voice, like haha nudge nudge.

We don’t do that, there’s no competition, and of course I don’t think I’m a better preacher than someone who’s been doing it for 25 years. And I know he doesn’t care, it doesn’t bother him that I joked about that. But do you know who it did bother? God.

He didn’t let me stop thinking about that moment for days, and finally I said, “But God I was joking”. And that’s when the scripture popped into my head.

Some of us grew up in families where poking fun at each other was, “how we show love” But that’s not how God tells us to show love and that’s not how we grow in unity. This isn’t a don’t be a meany cause we need our safe spaces. My skin can be as thick as anyone else, but that’s the problem.

The scripture isn’t about this specifically, it’s about being deceitful - however it convicted me. Saying, oh I’m just playing around is not ok.

1 Thessalonians 5:10–28 (NIV)

He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

Brothers and sisters, pray for us. Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss. I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

How do I not gossip? Isn’t the right question. The scripture doesn’t just say “not gossip” it says speak life, speak healing, speak redemption. Pray - goes as far to say kiss!

Christianity is not walking through a minefield, trying not to do this and not to do that. Following Christ is to have a good and perfect aim that you’re shooting for and everything but hitting that aim is unhelpful to you and doesn’t glorify God.

Is this how Jesus would speak of Pastor Hogan? Is this how Jesus would speak of … If not than it doesn’t matter if it’s gossip, slander, letting of steam, whatever you want to call it, it’s not what God is calling US to.

Are you telling it to someone who can help you redeem, fix, make right the negative thing? Are you telling it to someone who is responsible for redeeming what’s wrong? If not then you don’t need to say it.

Outro

Edify or encourage - That is our goal. Not just in the church building like some hypocrites, but always - in every place, every word - If it’s not edifying or encouraging it doesn’t need to be said.

This message isn’t complicated but it’s difficult. Take not every time this week that you’re negative, speaking negativity about another person or even yourself, with no redemptive purpose. I need to do better here. Please pray for me and I will be praying for all of you.