Talebearing
and Gossip
Gossip- idle talk or rumor, especially about the personal or private affairs of others: A
person who habitually spreads intimate or private rumors or facts.
If it not
your business or not under your authority or you are not obligated to be
involved, then stay out of discussions about it, and try to discourage others
not involved from discussing it.
Do not forget "the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison."
(James 3:1-18) Yes, this means you!
Lev. 19:16 Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people:
Lev. 19:16 Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people:
1 Pt.4:15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.
Prv.11:13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he
that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
Prv. 18:8
The words of a talebearer are as
wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
Prv.20:19 He
that goeth about as a talebearer
revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
Prv. 26:20
Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. (v22)
The words of a talebearer are as
wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
2 Th.3:11
For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at
all, but are busybodies.
1 Tim.5:13
And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not
only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies,
speaking things which they ought not.
If it is
your business or under your authority decide how you should approach the
matter, gathering information, diligently inquiring and then weighing the cost
of addressing it or overlooking it.
Prv.17:9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
Ex.20:16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. (Dt.5:20)
(Notice in John 7:40-42, 50-53 when the Jewish leaders are slandering Christ, Nicodemus in his integrity tried to call them to righteousness saying "Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?" The leaders argued that Jesus was from Galilee and not Bethlehem where the Christ was to arise. They did not diligently inquire where he was born, rather they made hasty and slothful judgment out of their envy which may well have cost them their souls.)
Prv.17:9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
Prv.10:12
Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth
all sins.
Prv.12:16 A
fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame. (v23) A prudent
man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
Prv.28:13 He
that covereth his sins shall not
prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
1 Pt.4:8 And
above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
Prv. 13:16
Every prudent man dealeth with
knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.
Prv.14:8 The
wisdom of the prudent is to
understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit. (v15) The simple
believeth every word: but the prudent
man looketh well to his going.
Prv. 15:5 A
fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
Prv. 18:15
The heart of the prudent getteth
knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
Prv. 22:3 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and
hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. (and 27:12)
Am. 5:13
Therefore the prudent shall keep
silence in that time; for it is an evil time.
Mt.7:1-2 Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge,
ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you
again.
Ps.18:25 With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright
man thou wilt shew thyself upright;
Know the
facts of what you are repeating if you are obligated to involve yourself.
Inquire diligently to discover the truth and do not repeat a slander.
Ex.20:16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. (Dt.5:20)
Ex.23:1 Thou
shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an
unrighteous witness.
Prv.12:17 He
that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.
Prv. 14:5 A
faithful witness will not lie:
but a false witness will utter
lies. (v25) A true witness
delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness
speaketh lies.
Prv. 19:5 A
false witness shall not be
unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape. (v9) A false witness shall not be unpunished, and
he that speaketh lies shall perish. (v28) An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth
iniquity.
Prv.21:28 A
false witness shall perish: but
the man that heareth speaketh constantly.
Prv.24:28 Be
not a witness against thy
neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips.
Prv.25:18 A
man that beareth false witness
against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
Prv.10:18 He
that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.
Psa.101:5
Whoso privily slandereth his
neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart
will not I suffer.
Psa.50:19-20
Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.
Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own
mother's son.
Num.35:30 Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the
mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to
cause him to die. (Witnesses can include ‘lines of evidence’ for example- Gen.21:30,31:48,52, Ex.22:13, Num.5:13,21-2, Dt.31:26, Jos.22:26-7, Jn.5:36)
Dt.17:6 At
the mouth of two witnesses, or
three witnesses, shall he that
is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.
Dt.19:15-18
One witness shall not rise up
against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at
the mouth of two witnesses, or
at the mouth of three witnesses,
shall the matter be established. If a false witness rise up
against any man to testify against him that which is wrong; Then both the men,
between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the Lord, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days;
And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be
a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother;
Mt.18:15-17 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go
and tell him his fault
between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy
brother.
Notice there
is no question of his guilt, the passage assumes his trespass. This would
likewise assume evidence of the trespass for when he takes 1 or 2 more they are
likewise telling him of his fault, and they are witness against him. Notice
again:
But if
he will not hear thee,
then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three
witnesses every word
may be established. And if he shall neglect
to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be
unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Also, the brother that was
trespassed against initially is a witness again. This is as Paul indicated in 2 Cor.13:1
"This is the third time
I am coming to you. In the
mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established." The man
that heareth speaketh constantly- Prv.21:28
Now if
the brother claims he has not trespassed against him and there arises a
controversy, this should be handled by certain wise brethren in the church as
discussed in 1 Corinthians 6:1-7.
Mt.26:60 But
found none: yea, though many false witnesses
came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,
Rom.9:1 I
say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
