05/25/2026
The sin of gossip...
Gossip destroys more relationships, churches, and ministries than almost anything else. It is one of the most tolerated sins in the church, but Proverbs 18:8 warns sharply: “The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, and they go down into the inmost body.” What feels sweet in conversation can still poison the heart.
Gossip feels sweet when we hear it. It satisfies curiosity, entertains us, and can make us feel important. But Solomon warns that those words go deep. They do not just pass through our ears; they settle into our inner life.
But what exactly is gossip? Gossip is sharing negative information about someone who is not present, not to help or heal, but just to spread it. Gossip exposes things that should have been kept private.
Gossip does more than reveal secrets. It drives people apart. Proverbs 16:28 says, “A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends.” Proverbs 17:9 adds, “He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates friends.”
You might be gossiping if you talk about someone instead of talking to them, if you share information that is not yours to share, if your words harm someone’s reputation, or if you would not say the same thing if they were standing next to you.
There is a difference between gossip and asking for help though. Asking for help sounds like, “I’m struggling. Can you pray with me? Can you give me wisdom?” Gossip spreads unnecessary details, but healthy counsel protects dignity and aims for reconciliation.
A gossiping culture is easy to spot:
- Private conversations always focus on other people
- Confidential information moves quickly
- People criticize others behind their backs instead of addressing issues directly
- Conversations change when certain people enter the room
If you realize you have been gossiping, repent before God. Ask for forgiveness for misusing your words, stop repeating the story right away, fix what you can, and say, “I am sorry. I should not have shared that.”
If you have a problem with somebody, go and talk to them. Face difficult conversations so your words protect friendships instead of destroying them.
