Bearing Tales

Gossiping. Some would argue it is some Christians' favorite past time - always having a story to tell about someone else, whether that story is real or contrived. Webster defines a gossiper as "a person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts about others". Maybe there is some perverse pleasure that is derived from such a behavior, but regardless of the perceived benefits, we can rest assured that such a behavior should not be found among God's people.

God Himself weighed in on the matter. In handing down the Levitical laws that would govern the conduct of His people, He instructed, "Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people" (Leviticus 19:16a), or as 'The Message' emphatically puts it, "Don't spread gossip and rumors". Obviously, if God forbids it, there cannot be anything virtuous about it. Solomon, the wisest of them all, also found the practice deplorable. In the Proverbs we read, "The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly" (18:8, KJV). In other words, they hurt deeply; so much so he repeats it again (26:22). In 20:19 it is said, "He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips", and in 26:20, "Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth."

It can be difficult at times to hold one's tongue in the face of provocation, especially if we are the ones being unfairly slandered. There's always the temptation to respond in kind with not so nice things we know about those who seek to do harm, yet in the midst of those strong emotions, God says "Stop it!" Our minds respond , "But, Lord...", but ever so emphatically He speaks, "Don't do it!" In the words of Solomon, "A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter" (Proverbs 11:13). Paul admonished, "See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men" (1 Thess. 5:15), and yes, that includes the gossipers.

Following that which is good is not always easy, but thank God, the Holy Spirit is more than able to help us to do it . "A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who pours out lies will [perish] not go free" (Proverbs 19:5). He that is of a faithful spirit does not gossip, but keeps/hides what he knows about others. Is your spirit faithful?