- May 17, 2011
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Ok so something of a trend around here is when someone mentions another person by name and if that said person has nothing nice said about them, then it is immediately referred to as gossip. This thread may offend or upset someone, but the purpose is to generate godly discussion about a topic that is all too prevelant in congregations today.
What is gossip?
In a recent thread about a well known Christian TV "Evangelist" and Station owner/host, accusations of gossip flew left and right, but is warning others about the misdeeds of another or even false teaching really gossip? Observe:
Matthew 16:5-12
When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn’t bring any bread.”
Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
If telling/warning other people about a certain person and their teaching or behavior is gossip then Jesus Himself gossiped. Proof as above. Actually this story is told in all three Synoptic Gospels and so I would point out it must be of some importance then to warn others about certain people if their lives, teachings, ministries do not line up with the Word of God. Jesus did it, so should we.
What is gossip?
In a recent thread about a well known Christian TV "Evangelist" and Station owner/host, accusations of gossip flew left and right, but is warning others about the misdeeds of another or even false teaching really gossip? Observe:
Matthew 16:5-12
When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn’t bring any bread.”
Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
If telling/warning other people about a certain person and their teaching or behavior is gossip then Jesus Himself gossiped. Proof as above. Actually this story is told in all three Synoptic Gospels and so I would point out it must be of some importance then to warn others about certain people if their lives, teachings, ministries do not line up with the Word of God. Jesus did it, so should we.