1. Gossip
Deadly Poison

2. As Americans we are at war against Muslim extremists.
As Christians we are at war
against the spiritual evils.

3. II Timothy 2: 3
Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
II Timothy 2: 4
No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.

4. Ephesians 6: 10-12
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

5. I Peter 5: 8 – Be of sober spirit, be on the alert
I Peter 5: 8 – Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
James 3: 6, 8 – And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; 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. 7… 8 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.

6. II 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;

7. One of his most effective uses of man’s tongue is
Man’s tongue often tends to be Satan’s most successful weapon against Christians and against God’s church.
One of his most effective
uses of man’s tongue is
gossip so let’s study it.

8. I. What is Gossip ?
. Noun
. Verb
. Adjective
Poison

9. Practical , Biblical : Someone who betrays confidences and/or distributes private information regarding other people.
Proverbs 11: 13
He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is trustworthy conceals a matter.

10. “Four Way Test?”
1. Is it the truth?
2. Is it fair to all concerned?
3. Will it build goodwill and
better friendships?
4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

11. II. Gossip is a very dangerous sin.
Poison

12. God views all gossip as sin.
It is condemned more than 50 times.
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. Gossip is a depravity to which God gives over the wicked.
Romans 1: – 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, 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters
… Romans 1 … continued

14. Romans 1: – … continued
gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; 32 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.

15. Companion in the list with murderers, haters of God, unloving, unmerciful …
Proverbs 20: 19
He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets,
Therefore do not associate with a gossip.
Notice :
A gossip is synonymous with a slanderer.

16. III. Knowing it is evil why do so many people Gossip ?
Poison

17. Some people just generally talk too much.
Proverbs 10: 19
When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise.

18. Others like to stir things up.
Proverbs 26: 20-21
For lack of wood the fire goes out, And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down. 21 Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
Titus 3: 10-11
Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, 11 knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.

19. Some gossip out of jealousy.
Acts 13: 45
But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began contradicting the things spoken by Paul, and were slandering him.

20. They have too much idle time.
II Thessalonians 3: 11 – For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies.
I Timothy 5: 13 – 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.

21. Some gossip out of a desire to be accepted.
Proverbs 29: 25
The fear of man brings a snare, but he
who trusts in the Lord will be exalted.

22. negative consequences.
IV. Gossip brings about
negative consequences.
Poison

23. Proverbs 18: 7 – A fool's mouth is his ruin, And his lips are the snare of his soul.
Psalms 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.
Psalms 15: 3 – He does not slander with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor takes up a reproach against his friend;

24. Gossip creates deep wounds that may never heal.
Matthew 18: 6 – but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
Proverbs 18:8 – The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body. ( wounds one’s heart )

25. Gossip destroys relationships and the fellowship of a church.
Proverbs 16: 28
A perverse man spreads strife,
And a slanderer separates intimate friends.

26. Gossip destroys the reputations of both victims and perpetrators.
Proverbs 11: 13
He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets,
But he who is trustworthy conceals a matter.

27. Gossip destroys the Christian’s ability to influence others to accept Christ !!

28. Gossip causes strife in the church.
Proverbs 20: 19 – He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, Therefore do not associate with a gossip.
Proverbs 16: 28
A perverse man spreads strife, And a slanderer separates intimate friends.

29. This is why the elders are required is to put a contentious person out of the fellowship of the church.
Titus 3: – Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, 11 knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.
Romans 16: 17 – Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.

30. V. What are some solutions or remedies to prevent gossip ?
Poison

31. One can repent of gossip, but he never repair the damage.

32. Memorize some of the relevant verses, especially the proverbs.
Psalm. 119: 11
Your word have I treasured in my heart,
that I may not sin against You.
Learn to think before speaking.

33. Strive for and pray for a transformed heart.
Matthew 12: 34b
For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.

35. Gossip is deadly poison
Keep out of the reach
of Christians