"Why Tell a Lie When the Truth Will Do Just as Much Damage?" HUH?

Proverbs 26:20-23
20 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.
22 The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the body.
23 Like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross are burning lips and a wicked heart.

Gossip has been defined as “telling facts, rumors, or behind-the-scenes information about other persons, especially of an intimate or personal nature.” In other words, it’s information that may very well be true but that can damage a person’s reputation.

Jim Cymbala talks about in his book Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire that “it’s not crack cocaine, government oppression, or even lack of funds” that destroys churches. “It’s gossip and slander that grieves the Holy Spirit.”

And by the way, listening to gossip is as bad as telling it. Proverbs 17:4—“An evildoer listens to wicked lips; a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.” In fact, Proverbs 20:19 goes as far as to say, “He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, therefore do not associate with a gossip.” Wow!

Let me share with you two words that will serve as helpful acronyms when it comes to gossip. First is the word “DEAF.” Think about it this way:

“Before I Listen to Gossip,” I must...
Define my boundaries
Examine my own heart
Ask uncomfortable questions
Forget what I’ve heard

Make up your mind now to be “DEAF” to gossip.

Next is the word “THINK.” Decide now, “Before I Gossip” I will ask if it is…
True?
Helpful?
Inspiring?
Necessary?
Kind?

If what I “need” to tell doesn’t pass this litmus test, then I need to keep quiet.

Finally, the late Leonard Ravenhill said it well and his words are fitting for our 40-day emphasis on fasting and prayer for spiritual breakthrough: “We never pray for folk we gossip about, and we never gossip about the folk for whom we pray!”