Gossip
Pastor J. R. Wilhite, author
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Before we start let us understand what gossip is. It is second hand information about what another person said repeated by anyone to anyone.
My prayer for you is: 3 John 1 2.
Strong's Ref. # 7400
Romanized rakiyl
Pronounced raw-keel'
from HSN7402 a scandal-monger (as travelling about):
KJV--slander, carry tales, talebearer.
Strong's Ref. # 5587
Romanized psithurismos
Pronounced psith-oo-ris-mos'
from a derivative of psithos (a whisper; by implication, a slander;
probably akin to GSN5574); whispering, i.e. secret detraction:
KJV--whispering.
Romans 1
28. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which
are not convenient;
29. Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit,
malignity; whisperers (gossips),
30. Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31. Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32. Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which comit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
To gossip is to tell someone else something you heard from someone else. In most cases the tale is changed (or as in some cases twisted) so it is no longer the full truth. It is now part truth and part lie. For instance you tell a friend about another friend's problems; even if it's done in all honesty and to help, it is still gossip. Unless the first person is also present to correct anything that may not be exactly as they stated it. I know this means so much more is then considered gossip than you might've considered. By this definition, even I have been a gossip. In the Word the truth is the truth, no matter how we want it to be. God stated this knowing how we can take a coment from one person and by the time it goes through 2-3 people it has changed enough to be totally different in its meaning. This is to protect us from being talked about in ways that would offend us, hurt us or cause strife in our life.
2 Corinthians 12
20. For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.
1 Timothy 5
13. Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to.
Literal Bible
1 Timothy 5
13.
|0260| withal
|1161| And
|2532| also
|0692| idle
|3129| they learn
|9999| {to be},
|4022| going around
|3588| the
|3614| houses,
|3756| not
|3440| only
|1161| and
|0692| idle,
|0235| but
|2532| also
|5397| gossips
|2532| and
|4021| busy bodies,
|2980| speaking
|3588| the things
|3361| not
|1163| proper.
Strong's Ref. # 5397
Romanized phluaros
Pronounced floo'-ar-os
from phluo (to bubble); a garrulous person, i.e. prater:
KJV--tMattler.
It is best to avoid repeating anything even if you are totally sure you have it right word for word including any underlying meaning that may
have been attached as well. That is wherein the problem lies. Since we, so many times, do not get the full meaning of a statement, it is best
to listen, hear, and try to understand, and if there are questions ask them of the person stating them not someone else who may or may not have gotten the full meaning.
Here is an example:
"I believe that the race for president of the USA is becoming more and more a choice of the lesser of two evils" (Not my opinion, just an example). Some would think I was saying both were evil and the only choice we have is trying to figure out who is the less evil of the two. They may be right in thinking that, but at the same time I may not have meant the people running as much as their ideas, or promises. Again I may have meant that, based on what I see, neither are what I want, so I need to choose the one closer to my wants. You see there are 3 ways to see the statement. Actually there are more, but I think you get the point. At this point I would ask the person making this statement to clarify it for me and I would not leave them alone until I understood 100% or I would forget what they said all together.
y wife and I in the early years of our marriage (at least 14 years ago) got into all kinds of arguments over coments I would make. Because of the way I stated them she took them totally wrong. It took us a few years to get used to how we each say things and what they actually mean based on how we say them. If it took this long to be sure while living together, then how can we be sure of what people whom we only occasionally visit are meaning. That is why it is so important to ask, and that is also the point of comunication. That is where most people miss it with God. They will accept what others, who are supposed to be scholars, say the Bible says, instead of asking the author of the book (God).
Those of you who have never heard from God are well over due listening and finally hearing from Him. Stop listening to those who could have a separate agenda than love. They are just spreading idle gossip about the Creator of the Universe.
Remember to show faith when you pray, then praise and give thanks.
God Bless You as you hear His words and follow His leading.
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