The Undercurrent of Verbal Poison ra ̂ ki ̂ yl – רכיל Talebearer-- ra ̂ ki ̂ yl – רכיל ) slander, slanderer, tale bearer, informer – (Part of speech: noun masculine) Brown Driver Briggs –“You shall not go about as a talebearer among your people; nor shall you take a stand against the life of your neighbor: I am the LORD.” {Leviticus 19:16} Bible Words for Gossip

H5372 – נרגּן BDB definition: 1) to murmur, whisper - 1a) murmurers 1b) backbite, slander, talebearer, backbiter (Part of speech: noun masculine) Brown Driver BriggsTalebearer--nirgan, - H5372 – נרגּן BDB definition: 1) to murmur, whisper - 1a) murmurers 1b) backbite, slander, talebearer, backbiter (Part of speech: noun masculine) Brown Driver Briggs –“The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, and they go down into the inmost body.” {Proverbs 18:8} The Undercurrent of Verbal Poison Bible Words for Gossip

Hebrew 1540, gaw-law'; a primitive root; to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); advertise, disclose, discover, open, publish, reveal, tell, uncover. (Part of speech: verb) Strong’sReveals--galah, - Hebrew 1540, gaw-law'; a primitive root; to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); advertise, disclose, discover, open, publish, reveal, tell, uncover. (Part of speech: verb) Strong’s –“A talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter..” {Proverbs 11:13} The Undercurrent of Verbal Poison Bible Words for Gossip

periergazomai periergazomai – Definition : 1) to bustle about uselessly, to busy one’s self about trifling, needless, useless matters 1a) used apparently of a person officiously inquisitive about another’s affairs - Part of speech: verb(Thayer)Busybody--periergazomai periergazomai – Definition : 1) to bustle about uselessly, to busy one’s self about trifling, needless, useless matters 1a) used apparently of a person officiously inquisitive about another’s affairs - Part of speech: verb (Thayer) – – “For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies.” {2 Thessalonians 3:11} The Undercurrent of Verbal Poison Bible Words for Gossip

Periergos periergov - 1) busy about trifles and neglectful of important matters 1a) esp. busy about other folks’ affairs, a busybody. 1b) of things: impertinent and superfluous - Part of speech: adjective(Thayer)Busybody--Periergos periergov - 1) busy about trifles and neglectful of important matters 1a) esp. busy about other folks’ affairs, a busybody. 1b) of things: impertinent and superfluous - Part of speech: adjective (Thayer) – – “And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.”{1 Timothy 5:13} The Undercurrent of Verbal Poison Bible Words for Gossip

allotriepiskopos allotriepiskopovBusybody-- allotriepiskopos allotriepiskopov 1) one who takes the supervision of affairs pertaining to others and in no wise to himself, a meddler in other men’s affairs - Part of speech: noun masculine (Thayer) –“But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters.” {1 Peter 4:15} The Undercurrent of Verbal Poison Bible Words for Gossip

(Gossips NKJV) fluarov floo’-ar-osTattler– (Gossips NKJV) phluaros—5397 fluarov floo’-ar-os 1) Of persons uttering or doing silly things, garrulous, babbling. 2) of things, foolish, trifling, vain—Part of speech: adjective-(Thayer) – – “And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.” {1 Timothy 5:13} The Undercurrent of Verbal Poison Bible Words for Gossip

(WordNet 2.0)Gossip (WordNet 2.0) 1.Light informal conversation for social occasions... 2.A report (often malicious) about the behavior of other people; 3.A person given to gossiping and divulging personal information about others –v 1: wag one's tongue; speak about others and reveal secrets or intimacies; The Undercurrent of Verbal Poison How to Identify Gossip

10 Some Questions to Ask: Is it true and complete?Is it true and complete? Is it harmful or helpful?Is it harmful or helpful? Does it ignite evil suspicion or inspire solutions?Does it ignite evil suspicion or inspire solutions? Is it necessary?Is it necessary? Is it kind, or at least appropriate and needed?Is it kind, or at least appropriate and needed? The Undercurrent of Verbal Poison How to Identify Gossip

11 It Is Not a Sin to: Repeat good things. (Matthew 11:4) Talk about how we can help a particular person. (Colossians 4:10) Tell others about a person’s sin, if you first go to the sinner, and he does not receive you. (Matthew 18:15-17) The Undercurrent of Verbal Poison How to Identify Gossip

12 It is Not a Sin to: Warn others about a person’s evil character. (Ephesians 5:11) Expose false teachers and warn others of their error. (Romans 16:17) The Undercurrent of Verbal Poison How to Identify Gossip

13 Idleness—1 Timothy 5:13 Thoughtlessness—Philippians 2:4 Cowardice—Matthew 18:15 Jealousy and envy—1 Corinthians 3:3 Gossiping is an acquired trait! (gossips learn by doing…1 Timothy 5:13) The Undercurrent of Verbal Poison The Making of Gossip

14 Hatred—Psalm 109:3 Unjust anger—Proverbs 15:18 Discontent—1 Corinthians 10:10 Personal problems—Matthew 5:23,24 Gossiping is an acquired trait! (gossips learn by doing…1 Timothy 5:13) The Undercurrent of Verbal Poison The Making of Gossip

15 Can destroy a person’s good name— Proverbs 22:1 Can sever close friendships— Proverbs 16:28 Can destroy a happy home— Proverbs 18:8 Can destroy peaceful, loving, working churches—Galatians 5:15 The Undercurrent of Verbal Poison The Making of Gossip

16 The words of a talebearer are seeds of discord. They cause division. They break down rather than build up. The Undercurrent of Verbal Poison A Sower of Discord

17 The talebearer’s words bring reproach to the name of Christ. They go down deep into a person’s soul. Strife and bitterness are their fruit. The Undercurrent of Verbal Poison A Sower of Discord

Talented—Absalom 2 Samuel 15 Selfish and self- willed—2 Timothy 3:2 Loves preeminence— 3 John 9-11 Insatiable need to be noticed— Matthew 6:1-6 Easily angered— James 1:19,20 Has ulterior motives— Acts 24:26 Uses others as dupes— 2 Samuel 15:11 Sets men at odds— Proverbs 16:28 All Attributes Not Present in Every Divisive Person

A Sower of Discord Must be petted, pampered and praised— Judges 8:1-3 Notes personal slights and enlarges them— 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Resents criticism— James 3:16 Is dissatisfied, tormented (but keeps it hidden)— 1 Timothy 6:6 Troubled home and family— Ephesians 6:4 Is a flatterer— Jude 16 All Attributes Not Present in Every Divisive Person

“These six things the LORD hates; yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.” Proverbs 6:16-19 The Undercurrent of Verbal Poison

Talebearers, busybodies, and tattlers (gossips) are sinners! How do we stop gossip? –Don’t be a gossiper; ”bridle your tongue”— James 1:26 –Don’t listen to gossip; quench the demand by not taking up a reproach against your neighbor—Proverbs 17:4 The Undercurrent of Verbal Poison

Talebearers, busybodies, and tattlers (gossips) are sinners! How do we stop gossip? –Don’t keep company with gossipers— 2 Thessalonians 3:11-14 –Correct gossipers— 2 Timothy 2:25 The Undercurrent of Verbal Poison