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2 “Half the world is composed of people who have something to say and can't, and the other half who have nothing to say and keep on saying it” Robert Frost

3 Psalm 39:1 “ I said, "I will guard my ways That I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle While the wicked are in my presence." ” 2 Corinthians 12:20 “ For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there will be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances; ” Proverbs 26:20-22 “ For lack of wood the fire goes out, And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down. Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife. The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body. ”

4 James 3:1-12 “ Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. Now if we put the bits into the horses' mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. … ”

5 James 3:1-12 “ … Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; … ”

6 James 3:1-12 “ …the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; … ”

7 James 3:1-12 “ …from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh. ”

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9 What is Gossip? a person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts about others –r–rumor or report of an intimate nature –a–a chatty talk –t–the subject matter of gossip idle talk or rumor, especially about the personal or private affairs of others

10 What is Gossip? Terms used in the Scriptures –S–Slanderer –T–Talebearer –W–Whisperer –B–Backbiting –B–Busybodies –T–Troublesome meddler

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12 Law of Moses Leviticus 19:16 “ 'You shall not go about as a slanderer among your people, and you are not to act against the life of your neighbor; I am the Lord. ”

13 From the Psalms Psalm 15:1-3 “ O Lord, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill? He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, And speaks truth in his heart. He does not slander with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor takes up a reproach against his friend; ” Psalm 101:5 “ Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, him I will destroy; No one who has a haughty look and an arrogant heart will I endure. ”

14 The Wisdom of Solomon Proverbs 10:18 “ He who conceals hatred has lying lips, And he who spreads slander is a fool. ” Proverbs 11:13 “ He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is trustworthy conceals a matter. ” Proverbs 16:28 “ A perverse man spreads strife, And a slanderer separates intimate friends. ” Proverbs 17:9 “ He who conceals a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends. ” Proverbs 18:8 “ The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body. ” Proverbs 20:19 “ He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, Therefore do not associate with a gossip. ” Proverbs 25:23 “ The north wind brings forth rain, And a backbiting tongue, an angry countenance. ” Proverbs 26:22 “ The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body. ” Proverbs 26:20 “ For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down. ”

15 New Testament Romans 1:28-32 “ And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them. ” 2 Thessalonians 3:11 “ For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies. ” 1 Timothy 5:11-15 “ But refuse to put younger widows on the list, for when they feel sensual desires in disregard of Christ, they want to get married, thus incurring condemnation, because they have set aside their previous pledge. At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention. Therefore, I want younger widows to get married, bear children, keep house, and give the enemy no occasion for reproach; for some have already turned aside to follow Satan. ” 1 Peter 4:15 “ Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; ” 3 John 10 “ For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church. ”

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17 Christians are to build up one another Not tear down Ephesians 4:29 “ Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. ”

18 We must be careful what we say When someone begins to gossip around us, we should politely leave, not taking part. Galatians 5:15 “ But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. ” 2 John 1:11 “ for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds. ”

19 But what if it’s true? If it’s a sin in their lives, we should be going to them and gently rebuking them Galatians 6:1 “ Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. ”

20 Matthew 18:15-17 “ If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. "But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. "If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. ”

21 Matthew 18:32-35 “ "Then summoning him, his lord said* to him, 'You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 'Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?' "And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. "My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart." ”

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23 When does Speech Condemn? Will I help or hurt the person's character by repeating this information? Would it be better left untold, even if true? Will anyone be edified if I repeat this information? What is my motive for telling it? Am I really seeking to build or destroy, to hurt or heal? Will I cause unnecessary suspicion to surround the person by repeating the information? Proverbs 11:13 “ He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is trustworthy conceals a matter. ” Psalm 101:5 “ Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, him I will destroy; No one who has a haughty look and an arrogant heart will I endure. ”

24 When does Speech Condemn? Is the information true? Will anyone be made better by telling it? Is the information about something which has been repented of? Will I help the one who is spreading the rumors by receiving what he is telling? Do I want to be an accessory in the commission of a sin against another by receiving information which I should not be privy to? 1 Timothy 5:22 “ Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin. ”

25 When does Speech Condemn? Will I feel better towards the one being talked about by hearing the things being spread by a gossiper? Am I assisting in strengthening the character of one whom I allow to gossip about others? Can I truly say that I am a friend of one from whom I receive information about the wrong doing of another? When I hear about the wrong doing of another, am I not obligated to go to that person? Galatians 6:1 “ Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. ”

26 When does Speech Condemn? Do not I do much evil by, instead of going to that person, beginning to mention his wrong doing to others? Am I not responsible for the unfaithfulness of others when they have been hardened through my spreading unfounded charges about them, or by listening to others who do it? How many people have left active service to Christ because of unfounded charges and allegations made and received by others?

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