1. 1 It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. (Jas. 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. (Prov. 12:18-19) The Murderous Tongue

2. 2 G OSSIP 1 Timothy 5:13 phluaros - “Old word from phluo ( to boil up, to throw up bubbles, like blowing soap bubbles)” (A. T. Robertson) - 3 Jno. 10 phluaros - “Old word from phluo ( to boil up, to throw up bubbles, like blowing soap bubbles)” (A. T. Robertson) - 3 Jno. 10 “uttering or doing silly things, garrulous, babbling, foolish, trifling, vain” (Thayer, 655)“uttering or doing silly things, garrulous, babbling, foolish, trifling, vain” (Thayer, 655) – “Since bubbles are hallow & useless things, ‘to indulge in empty & foolish talk’” (Ibid.)

3. 3 G OSSIP Empty, idle words about othersEmpty, idle words about others Accusations &/or insinuations which discredit instead of build upAccusations &/or insinuations which discredit instead of build up Idle talk intended to turn one’s opinion against a person or situationIdle talk intended to turn one’s opinion against a person or situation Gossip can be true or falseGossip can be true or false Often encouraged by idleness – 1 Tim. 5:13; 2 Ths. 3:11Often encouraged by idleness – 1 Tim. 5:13; 2 Ths. 3:11

4. 4 B USYBODY 1 Tim. 5:13; 2 Ths. 3:11 periergos ( 1 Tim. 5:13 ) - “ busy about trifles and neglectful of important matters, esp. busy about other folks ’ affairs, a busybody ” (Thayer, 502) periergos ( 1 Tim. 5:13 ) - “ busy about trifles and neglectful of important matters, esp. busy about other folks ’ affairs, a busybody ” (Thayer, 502) periergazomai ( 2 Ths. 3:11 ) – “ used apparently of a person officiously inquisitive about other ’ s affairs ” (Thayer, 502) periergazomai ( 2 Ths. 3:11 ) – “ used apparently of a person officiously inquisitive about other ’ s affairs ” (Thayer, 502) – Undertake to be involved in the matters of others – Meddler ( mischief-maker, RSV ) – 1 Pet. 4:15

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

6. 6 W HISPERER Rom. 1:29; 2 Cor. 12:20 Speaking evil of one who is absentSpeaking evil of one who is absent Not willing to publicly confront (face to face)Not willing to publicly confront (face to face) – Cowardly sin (Matt. 18:15) – Motive of hate – Psa. 41:7 – Excites suspicion by secretly dropping hints that one is evil

7. 7 W HISPERER 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. 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.’ 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)

8. 8 S LANDERER 2 Timothy 3:3 (1 Tim. 3:11) Accuse, defame, malign with falsehoodAccuse, defame, malign with falsehood diabolos - “ Those who are given to finding fault with the demeanor & conduct of others, and spreading their innuendos & criticisms in the church ” (Vine, 580) diabolos - “ Those who are given to finding fault with the demeanor & conduct of others, and spreading their innuendos & criticisms in the church ” (Vine, 580) – Foolish – Prov. 10:18 – Slander is driven by pride & envy – Psa. 101:5 – Overcome slander by overcoming envy & pride – Or, be destroyed! – Psa. 101:5

9. 9 B ACKBITER Rom. 1:30; 2 Cor. 12:20 katalalos – “ a defamer, evil speaker ” (Thayer, 332) katalalos – “ a defamer, evil speaker ” (Thayer, 332) More open & bold than the whisperer, although such a person does not face the accused with his slanderMore open & bold than the whisperer, although such a person does not face the accused with his slander – Backbiting causes anger – Prov. 25:23 – Backbiter does not abide with God – Psa. 15:1, 3

10. 10 H OW C AN W E A VOID T HESE S INS? Refuse the tasty morsel – Prov. 26:22Refuse the tasty morsel – Prov. 26:22 Guard your tongue - Prov. 13:3; 21:23Guard your tongue - Prov. 13:3; 21:23 Ask yourself these questions:Ask yourself these questions: – Is it true? (Eph. 4:25) – Why am I repeating it? – What is the likely outcome: Help or harm? (Eph. 4:29) – Have I talked with the person I ’ m talking about?

11. 11 H OW C AN W E A VOID T HESE S INS? Remember the result of such sins:Remember the result of such sins: – Strife (Prov. 26:20) – Wounds (Prov. 18:8) – Trouble for the soul (Prov. 21:23) – Death (Prov. 18:21) – Divine wrath (Psa. 101:5; Prov. 6:19)

12. 12 Idle words bring condemnation – Matthew 12:36-37 Idle words bring condemnation – Matthew 12:36-37 Restrain the mouth! – Psalm 39:1 Restrain the mouth! – Psalm 39:1 Idle words bring condemnation – Matthew 12:36-37 Idle words bring condemnation – Matthew 12:36-37 Restrain the mouth! – Psalm 39:1 Restrain the mouth! – Psalm 39:1 The Murderous Tongue

13. 13 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 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