1. “It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” (James 3:8)
“There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health. The truthful lip shall be established forever, But a lying tongue is but for a moment.” (Proverbs 12:18-19)
The Deadly Tongue

2. GOSSIP 1 Timothy 5:13
“to boil up, to throw up bubbles, like blowing soap bubbles”
“Since bubbles are hallow and useless things, ‘to indulge in empty and foolish talk’”
“uttering or doing silly things, garrulous, babbling, foolish, trifling, vain” (Thayer, 655)

3. GOSSIP Empty, idle words about others
Accusations and insinuations that discredit instead of build up
Idle talk intended to turn one’s opinion against a person or a situation
Gossip can be true or false…still gossip
Encouraged by idleness, 1 Timothy 5:13

4. BUSYBODY 1 Timothy 5:13; 2 Thessalonians 3:11
1 Tim. 5:13: “busy about trifles and neglectful of important matters, esp. busy about other folks’ affairs, a busybody” (Thayer)
2 Thess. 3:11: “used apparently of a person officiously inquisitive about other’s affairs” (Thayer)
Undertake to be involved in the matters of others
Meddler (mischief-maker, RSV), 1 Peter 4:15

5. TALEBEARER Proverbs 11:13; 20:19; 26:20
“Scandal-monger” (as traveling about) –A trafficker in scandalous reports about others, Leviticus 19:16
Untrustworthy, Proverbs 11:13; 20:19
Stirs up strife, Proverbs 26:20; 16:27-28; 17:9
Hurtful (wounds, KJV), Proverbs 18:8; 6:19

6. WHISPERER Romans 1:29; 2 Corinthians 12:20
Speaking evil of one who is absent
Not willing to confront face to face
Cowardly sin (Matthew 18:15)
Motivated by hate, Psalm 41:7
Excites suspicion by secretly dropping hints that a person is evil

7. Whisperer Rom. 1:29; 2 Cor. 12:20
“Whisperers are cowardly sneaks who have not the courage to come out in the open and say damaging things about others, but secretly peddle their slanderous statements and insinuations against the object or objects of their campaign of spite.

8. Whisperer Rom. 1:29; 2 Cor. 12:20
“They usually add: ‘Be sure not to use my name in connection with the matter, for I do not want to get mixed up in the mess.’ Such characters have been aptly termed ‘snakes in the grass.’

9. Whisperer Rom. 1:29; 2 Cor. 12:20
“They would destroy a good name, and then gloat over what they had been able to accomplish. Only the Lord can properly award such characters.”
-R. L. Whiteside Commentary on Romans, 43

10. SLANDERER 2 Timothy 3:3 Accuse, defame, malign with falsehood
“Those who are given to finding fault with the demeanor and conduct of others, and spreading their innuendos and criticisms in the church” (Vine)
Foolish, Proverbs 10:18
Slander is driven by pride and envy, Psalm 101:5

11. BACKBITER Romans 1:30; 2 Corinthians 12:20
“a defamer, evil speaker” (Thayer, 332)
More open and bold than the whisperer, although such a person does not face the accused with his slander
Backbiting causes anger, Proverbs 25:23
Backbiter does not abide with God, Psalm 15:1-3

12. HOW DO WE AVOID THESE SINS?
Refuse the tasty morsel, Proverbs 26:22
Guard your tongue, Proverbs 13:3; 21:23
Ask yourself these questions:
Is it true? (Ephesians 4:25)
Why am I repeating this?
What is the likely outcome: Help or harm? (Eph. 4:29)
Have I talked with the person I’m talking about?

13. HOW CAN WE AVOID THESE SINS?
Results of such sins:
Strife, Proverbs 26:20
Wounds, Proverbs 18:8 (26:22)
Trouble for the soul, Proverbs 21:23
Death, Proverbs 18:21
Divine wrath, Psalm 101:5; Proverbs 6:19

14. The Deadly Tongue Idle words bring condemnation, Matthew 12:36-37
Restrain the mouth, Psalm 39:1
The Deadly Tongue

15. “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.” -Psalm 19:14-
The Restrained Tongue