On the one hand, Scripture speaks strongly against gossip. Romans 1:29; 2 Corinthians 12:20 – Both differentiate gossip from slander and condemn it as the result of a depraved mind, unfitting for Christians. 1 Timothy 5:13; 2 Thessalonians 3:11 – Both condemn “busybodies” who “speak about things not proper to mention.”
Ephesians 4:31: “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice (malicious gossip).” 1 Peter 2:1: “So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.”
Malicious talk or gossip is mentioned elsewhere in the Bible, listed along with sins like murder and envy (Romans 1:29), things that should not be practiced or approved (verse 32). Proverbs 25:23, the verse that specifically uses the word backbiting, paints a vivid picture of how people respond to a gossip.
Gossip, and its cousins: slander, divisive speech, and deceitful speech are roundly rebuked in the Scriptures (Psalm 101:5; Proverbs 6:16–19, 11:13, 20:19; Titus 3:2). Instead of cutting people down with verbal assassinations, we are to give words of life and grace (Ephesians 4:29).
Leviticus 19:16 New Living Translation (NLT)
“Do not spread slanderous gossip among your people. “Do not stand idly by when your neighbor's life is threatened. I am the LORD.
Thus far, research has, for example, shown that people were motivated to engage in gossip to bond with their group members, to entertain themselves, to exchange information, to vent emotions, and to maintain social order. These motives can be argued to be quite harmless, and even based on constructive tendencies.
Gossip is often considered socially taboo and dismissed for its negative tone, but a Dartmouth study illustrates some of its merits. Gossip enables social connection and enables learning about the world indirectly through other people's experiences, the researchers found.
Instead of tearing each other down and spreading gossip, God calls us to build each other up and encourage each other. (1 Thessalonians 5:11). While gossip may be accepted as normal at school or work, the Bible says we are to renew our mind with the will of God, not the will of the world (Romans 12:2).
Answer: Unless the matter under discussion is a common news item, when someone's gossip negatively alters the opinion another has regarding a third person, one has committed a grave action.
Ignore the gossip (or change the subject)
If someone is gossiping about others to you, refuse to engage with them. As soon as they start to speak negatively about someone else, shut down the conversation in its tracks by saying, “I have absolutely no opinion, and this is none of my business.”
Things You Should Know
Talk to the person who spread the rumor, and let them know you don't appreciate what they're saying about you. Ignore the gossip as best you can, and continue on with your usual routine. Remember that gossip says more about the other person than it does about you.
Scripture tells us that silence can help us avoid sinning (Proverbs 10:19), gain respect (Proverbs 11:12), and is deemed wise and intelligent (Proverbs 17:28). In other words, you may be blessed by holding your tongue. Ultimately, refraining from speaking in certain situations means we are practicing self-control.
The scripture reads in verse 15, “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone.” First, go to the other person one-on-one and in private. If someone sins against you, you need to address them first—not another person, your spouse, or your small group.
Jesus said, "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." (Luke 6:27-28 NIV) In the following verses Jesus gives several specific examples of how to treat those who have hurt you, and He concludes with, "Be merciful, just as ...
By definition (at least the definition social scientists who study gossip use), gossip is any talk about someone who isn't present, it's usually about something we can make a moral judgment about (meaning you tend to approve of the information or disapprove), and it's entertaining (meaning it doesn't feel like work to ...
Generally, gossip involves another person or issue that has nothing to do with you and doesn't directly affect you. It focuses on “spilling the tea” about another person. Gossip generally comes from the desire to be nosy, and not from genuine concern. It could sound something like, “Crystal's parents got a divorce.
Venting is sometimes necessary to productively express frustration about a person or a problem—but gossiping isn't. Gossip is spread maliciously while venting relieves pent-up frustration. Gossiping is ill-intentioned and mean-spirited and can cause destruction of a person's humanity or reputation.
"Thou shalt not steal", under the Phenolic division used by Hellenistic Jews, Greek Orthodox, and Protestants except Lutherans, or the Talmudic division of the third-century Jewish Talmud. "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor", under the Augustinian division used by Roman Catholics and Lutheran.
On the one hand, Scripture speaks strongly against gossip. Romans 1:29; 2 Corinthians 12:20 – Both differentiate gossip from slander and condemn it as the result of a depraved mind, unfitting for Christians. 1 Timothy 5:13; 2 Thessalonians 3:11 – Both condemn “busybodies” who “speak about things not proper to mention.”
The researchers categorized gossip into three groups: social information, physical appearance, and achievement.
It can hurt to be the subject of gossip, no matter what the reason, and it can be especially painful if the perpetrator is your friend. Confronting someone who has gossiped about you can help to clear the air and allow you to set the record straight and move on.
Some experts view gossip as evidence of cultural learning, where we learn what's socially acceptable and what's not. For example, if someone lies frequently and people start talking bout that person negatively, the collective criticism is intended to warn others of the consequences of lying.
1 It also can lead to depression, suicidal thoughts, eating disorders, anxiety, and a host of other issues. Gossip and rumors can alienate friends, ruin reputations, and even lead to ostracizing behavior and other forms of relational aggression.
gossiper Add to list Share. Other forms: gossipers. A gossiper is someone who talks eagerly and casually about other people. If you like to spread rumors and hear the latest news about your friends, you might be a gossiper. When you gossip, you talk enthusiastically about other people's news or business.