By Mark D. Stucky
II. Heart of the Dragon
Why do we so love the dragon of gossip? Why are publishers of supermarket scandal sheets rich? Why do we love to hear sordid stories about our neighbors?
The answer lies in the heart of gossip. Gossip is the unnecessary passing on of facts, rumors, or inside information of personal, sensational, or intimate nature.
Talking about other people is not always gossip, because sometimes we legitimately need information to find a good used-car dealer or to help someone in need. Lying is not usually a part of gossip because rumors are believed to be true even though they may actually be false or distorted.
The key separating gossip from legitimate information sharing seems to be motive. Gossip's motive is helping oneself at the expense of others. Grocery-store gossip magazines lie and expose dirty linen to make money. Ordinary lay-gossips pull down other people's characters to make themselves feel or look better. We look clean and white when others are spattered with mud. In order to seem taller we verbally stab people in the back and stand on their corpses.
Advertisement
The motive can be subtle. We can talk about fellow brothers and sisters in Christ under the pretense of "being concerned" or "sharing the burden" while deep inside we feel smug about their scandal. If we were more like Christ, more filled with true love and compassion, hearing gossip would always bring sadness and tears, not a feeling of glee.
Gossip is sin. In black characters on white onionskin paper, gossip is starkly labeled and judged (e.g.,
Proverbs 11:13;
16:28;
20:19;
26:20;
Romans 1:29;
2 Corinthians 12:20;
James 3:6-8. King James reads "whisperers" and "talebearers"). Christians should know this, yet churches are among the most gossip-soaked arenas anywhere.
In one church the pastor preached a hard-hitting sermon describing the evils of gossip. That sermon was effective -- for about half an hour. During the fellowship meal after the service, one woman paused, asked another, "Do you think this is gossip?' and then plunged headlong into it anyway.
III. Slaying the Dragon
How then can we slay the dragon? We may be unable to slay other people's dragons, but we are responsible for slaying our own.
Let us consider the consequences. Is the story true and helpful and necessary? How would you feel if that person discovered you told the story? Is it going to damage a reputation or relationship? What would Jesus tell me about my careless words?
