TEXT:  James 3:2-10

 INTRODUCTION:

 1.  All of us know what usually follows the statement "Wait till you hear what I heard..."

 2.  Other things you might hear,  "Don't tell her I told you but,"  "Do you know what she       said about you..."  I am not sure about this but..."

 3.  Gossip is a sin of otherwise good Christians- 2 Cor. 12:20.

 4.  Certain excitement and fun in gossiping- Prov. 18:8 "The words of a talebearer are       like tasty trifles and they go down into the inmost body."

WHY IS GOSSIP WRONG?

I.  Gossip Destroys Reputations-

A.       Ecc. 7:1 "A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth."

B.       1 Sam. 18:30b "David behaved more wisely than all the servants of Saul, so that his name became highly esteemed."

C.       Notice the emphasis placed on a good name in the New Testament.

                        1.  Acts 6:3 "men of good reputation".

                        2.  Acts 10:22 Cornelius.

3.      Acts 22:12 Ananias who came to Saul.

4.      A good name takes years to build and a few seconds to destroy.

II.  The Spirit of Gossip is Wrong Even if the Information is True.

 3 levels – 1) Rumors; 2) Hurtful, spite, hateful; 3) Secret, private, intimate details

Good / Bad – It seems to me that there is good gossip and there is bad gossip and which KIND it is largely determined by the intent of the gossiper. If the intent is to malign and demean then it is bad gossip. If the intent is to inform and we believe the information will lead to understanding, then it is good gossip.

1. Prov. 11:13 "A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter."
2. Ecc. 3:7b "A time to keep silence and a time to speak."
3. Prov. 10:19a "In the multitude of words sin is not lacking."
4. Prov. 20:19 "He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips."
5. If they talk about others to you they will talk to others about you.
6. Prov. 25:9-10 "Debate your case with your neighbor himself and do not disclose the secret to another.  Lest he who hears it expose your shame and your reputation be ruined."

III.  Gossip Unfairly Pre-judges.

A.     Matt. 7:1

B.     Gossip only gets one side of the story, not allowed in courts!

 IV.  Gossip Protects the Source More Than the Victim. 

A.     "A reliable source said. . ."

B.      "I can't tell you who told me."  Usually a good sign you should not listen to this person.

V.  Gossip Violates the Rule of Love. 

            A.  "We need to put the best possible interpretation on what is said or done."

            B.  That's the way I want others to do for me- Matt. 7:12.

            C.  What is the rule of love- 1 Cor. 13:1-3.

VI..  Gossip Ignores Context.

A.       Anyone con be taken out of context and made to say something they did not mean.

B.       Most gossip starts this way.

VII.  Gossip is Self-motivated. 

            A.  "If I can make you look worse than me, then I won't look so bad."

            B.  2 Corinthians 10:12.  We are to compare ourselves to the Bible not each other.

VIII.  Gossip Disobeys God.

            A.  Leviticus 19:16; "You shall not go about as a talebearer among your people."

 B.       Psalm 15:1-3; "Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle?  Who may dwell in Your holy hill?  He who walks uprightly and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart; He who does not backbite with his tongue, nor does he take up a reproach against his friend.

            C..  Ephesians 4:31- Evil speaking.

            D.  Titus 3:1-2 Speak evil of no one.

            E.  James 4:11 Do not speak evil of a brother.

Conclusion:

 Do not get started in this vicious habit of gossiping.

1. It starts in the heart- Matt. 15:19.
2. Prov. 26:20 "Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.
3. If you have been involved in this sin you need to repent.