Warnings about the Tongue James 3:1-12 James 3:1-12 James 1:26, “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.” James 1:26, “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.” Psalm 39:1, “I said, ‘I will guard my ways, lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle while the wicked are before me.’” Psalm 39:1, “I said, ‘I will guard my ways, lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle while the wicked are before me.’”

“a person that habitually reveals personal or sensational facts; rumor or report of an intimate nature; idle, often malicious talk, especially about others.” It is the unnecessary spreading of information which is either false, unsubstantiated, or injurious to others. Not always false spreading of lies sometimes slander unnecessary AGAINST THE WILL OF GOD

Why does Gossip Occur? Tendency to focus on others instead of themselves. Tendency to focus on others instead of themselves. Nosiness. Nosiness. Spread of their own translation of what they hear. Spread of their own translation of what they hear. A delight in gossip and being “in the know.” A delight in gossip and being “in the know.” Desire to spread information that brings others down. Desire to spread information that brings others down. Misunderstanding of what gossip is. Misunderstanding of what gossip is.

Why does Gossip Occur? Easier than going to the person in question. Easier than going to the person in question. Not enough to do. Not enough to do. Desire to make themselves look good even at the expense of others. Desire to make themselves look good even at the expense of others. Tendency to “stretch” the truth. Tendency to “stretch” the truth. Habit of believing most everything they hear. Habit of believing most everything they hear. For the sake of conversation. For the sake of conversation.

What does the Bible say about Gossip? Proverbs 6:19, “one who sows discord among brethren.” One of the seven things the Lord hates. Proverbs 6:19, “one who sows discord among brethren.” One of the seven things the Lord hates. Proverbs 10:18, “whoever hides hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.” Proverbs 10:18, “whoever hides hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.” Proverbs 11:13, “A talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.” Proverbs 11:13, “A talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.”

What does the Bible say about Gossip? Proverbs 16:27-28, “An ungodly man digs up evil, and it is on his lips like a burning fire. A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends.” Proverbs 16:27-28, “An ungodly man digs up evil, and it is on his lips like a burning fire. A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends.” Proverbs 20:19, “He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.” Proverbs 20:19, “He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.” Proverbs 25:9-10, “Debate your case with your neighbor, and do not disclose the secret to another; lest he who hears it expose your shame, and your reputation be ruined.” Proverbs 25:9-10, “Debate your case with your neighbor, and do not disclose the secret to another; lest he who hears it expose your shame, and your reputation be ruined.”

What does the Bible say about Gossip? - Proverbs 26:20-28, “Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases. 21 As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife. 22 The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, and they go down into the inmost body. 23 Fervent lips with a wicked heart are like earthenware covered with silver dross. 24 He who hates, disguises it with his lips, and lays up deceit within himself;

What does the Bible say about Gossip? - 25 When he speaks kindly, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart. 26 Though his hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness will be revealed before the assembly. 27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him. 28 A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it, and a flattering mouth works ruin.”

What does the Bible say about Gossip? 2 Corinthians 12:20, “For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults.” 2 Corinthians 12:20, “For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults.” Romans 1:28-32 Romans 1:28-32 Vs. 29 mentions whisperers. Vs. 29 mentions whisperers. Vs. 32, “who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.” Vs. 32, “who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.”

Justifications for Gossip “Everyone does it.” “Everyone does it.” “That’s just the way a small town is.” “That’s just the way a small town is.” “I’m not telling anything I wouldn’t say to their face.” “I’m not telling anything I wouldn’t say to their face.” “Make sure you don’t tell this to anyone.” “Make sure you don’t tell this to anyone.” “Keep this between you and me.” “Keep this between you and me.” “I don’t think they’d mind me telling this to you.” “I don’t think they’d mind me telling this to you.” Some people make no justification. Some people make no justification. Others laugh it off. Others laugh it off.

What can we do to prevent Gossip? Tendency to focus on others instead of themselves. Tendency to focus on others instead of themselves. Adopt an inward focus. Adopt an inward focus. 2 John 1:8, “Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.” 2 John 1:8, “Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.” Nosiness. Nosiness. Mind our own business. Mind our own business. 1 Thessalonians 4:11, “aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.” 1 Thessalonians 4:11, “aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.”

What can we do to prevent Gossip? Spread of their own translation of what they hear. Spread of their own translation of what they hear. Listen to what people actually say. Listen to what people actually say. James 1:19, “so then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” James 1:19, “so then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” A delight in gossip and being “in the know.” A delight in gossip and being “in the know.” Delight in true knowledge. Delight in true knowledge. Proverbs 18:2, “A fool has no delight in understanding, but in expressing his own heart.” Proverbs 18:2, “A fool has no delight in understanding, but in expressing his own heart.”

What can we do to prevent Gossip? Desire to spread information that brings others down. Desire to spread information that brings others down. Focus on building people up rather than tearing people down. Focus on building people up rather than tearing people down. Ephesians 4:29, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” Ephesians 4:29, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” Misunderstanding of what gossip is. Misunderstanding of what gossip is. Learn what gossip is. Learn what gossip is.

What can we do to prevent Gossip? Easier than going to the person in question. Easier than going to the person in question. If you need information, get it first-hand. If you need information, get it first-hand. The Bible principle is to go talk to the person in question. Matthew 18 and Matthew 5. The Bible principle is to go talk to the person in question. Matthew 18 and Matthew 5. Not enough to do. Not enough to do. Work, work, work. Work, work, work. 1 Timothy 5:13, “And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.” 1 Timothy 5:13, “And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.”

What can we do to prevent Gossip? Desire to make themselves look good even at the expense of others. Desire to make themselves look good even at the expense of others. Put the interests of others before our own. Put the interests of others before our own. Philippians 2:4, “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4, “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” Tendency to “stretch” the truth. Tendency to “stretch” the truth. Stick to the facts. Stick to the facts. Job 34:35, “Job speaks without knowledge, his words are without wisdom.” Job 34:35, “Job speaks without knowledge, his words are without wisdom.” John 3:11, “We speak what we know” John 3:11, “We speak what we know”

What can we do to prevent Gossip? Habit of believing most everything they hear. Habit of believing most everything they hear. Make sure you have the truth, and correct those who are spreading lies. Make sure you have the truth, and correct those who are spreading lies. For the sake of conversation. For the sake of conversation. Talk less. If you hear gossip, stop it right there. Talk less. If you hear gossip, stop it right there. Ecclesiastes 5:2, “Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; therefore let your words be few.” Ecclesiastes 5:2, “Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; therefore let your words be few.”

Proverbs 13:3, “He who guards his mouth preserves his life; but he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.”