Rainey Days Pass

The subject of gossip vs. talebearing and “sharing of information” has recently been coming up frequently among my circle. So I decided to take a deep dive and research all of the above with how God views such things kept close in mind. The subject of gossiping in church the main focus but I encourage you as you read this to apply it to your everyday life. I think it will be surprising how the conversations in your life will shift if you remove these certain elements from your speech and evaluate what is actually necessary information to share about others and what is not. I believe you will find it’s a lot quieter when you don’t talk about other people and their business. So quiet you just might hear what God has to say to you instead. So let’s get into it.

The word gossip is not in the bible, but in its place is Talebearing or Talebearer which essentially is very similar. The bible also references tattlers, busy bodies and backbitting.

 In first Timothy 5:13 KJV the bible says this.

   And withal they learn to be idle wandering about from house to house and not only idle but tattlers also and busy bodies speaking things which they aught not.

A talebearer is a person who spreads gossip or rumors

A tattler or tattletale is someone who tells secrets about what someone else has done (an informer)

A busybody is an officious or inquisitive person.

Officious means volunteering ones services where they are neither asked nor needed also referenced as a meddler.

Inquisitive given to examination or investigation, inclined to ask questions.

Backbitting is malicious talk of someone who is not present.

Rumor is defined as talk or opinion widely disseminated with no discernible source.

The bible speaks against meddling in other peoples affairs as seen in first Peter 4:15 KJV

   But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief or as an evil doer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.

How frequently do you insert yourself into others affairs? How often do you ask questions to receive unnecessary information just for your own satisfaction or arsenal of details about another to judge criticize or otherwise chew on and slobber over, to be in the know? Now is a good time to search your heart roll back over conversations regardless of intent at the time and evaluate whether they were truly of value or if they match any of these definitions.

More verses describing talebearing and speaking against it can be found in the following verses.

Leviticus 19:16

Proverbs 11:13 A talebearer revealeth secrets but he that is faithful concealeth the matter.

Proverbs 17:09 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love, but he that repeateth the matter seperateth friends.

Proverbs 18:08 the words of a talebearer are as wounds , and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

Proverbs 20:19

Proverbs 26:20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out so where there is no talebearer the strife ceaseth,

Proverbs 26:22 (Repeats proverbs 18:08)

Psalms 50:19-20  thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit. Thou sittest and speaketh against thy brother thou slanderest thine own mothers son.

Now that we have our verses and our definitions nailed down lets talk about it. It is easy to accidentally fall into the trap of talebearing, busybody and rumor filled conversations because they are often concealed as venting or valuable information to request prayer or pre service small talk. Church is for fellowship to glorify God and praise him. Talking about aunt Susans arrest last Thursday or cousin Johnny’s 4^th wife, or who was at a party last night but not at service this morning does not count as fellowship even if you add lets pray for them at the end.

Conversations that start with “I heard” or “I think” and end with “I guess” or “so I’ve been told” or even “But I’m not sure.” Usually contain something from the definition list we just went over. If you’re not sure don’t say it, and don’t repeat it. Just because you heard it even from someone you trust doesn’t make it true and if your guessing why are you sharing. Its also good to remember to not say anything about anyone you wouldn’t say to their face, now my problem is there isn’t much I wouldn’t say to someone’s face so I have to add a few more guidelines for myself which is 1.) how would I feel if it was me in their place. 2) does this glorify God in any way and 3) is it necessary to say?

The Term talebearing derives form the combination of tale and bearing meaning to carry or bring forth a story or report. Bearing derived from old English beran meaning to carry.

So I ask you what are you carrying? Are you carrying praise? Good report ? Or are you carrying stories, rumors, hearsay etc. Are you asking questions out of care and love and necessity or are you asking to gain information to tell others. Our speech is to mirror Gods truthful word. Love for thy neighbor cannot coexist with whisper campaigns, spreading of private information, negative talk, chewing on peoples decisions like it’s a fresh turkey leg on thanksgiving day. Where gossip, talebearing, backbiting, rumors and idle chatter thrive love, trust, faith, mercy and peace decay.