Gossip

[GreenMunchkin]

Why do people do it?

 

[rmw8855]

I think it makes people feel better. I don't think most people do it consciously, but they think it makes them look/feel better by putting other people down.

 

[ReformedChapin]

coz were sinners

 

[£amb]

Look at all the attention you receive when you know something. For some people it makes them feel good and important to know information.

Gossip is horrible. How quick it can destroy a person's life if not your own. I have learned the hard way and make it a point not to listen into conversations, but there's times where I do have to hear vital information in my work place. It's amazing how many friends you can get by knowning something. The one thing I would never do is give out guarded information. People try to pry info out of me, but I tell them I cannot say. Besides, looking dumb helps too...

 

[GreenMunchkin]

I reckon it's appalling

Is it really so hard to be straight with people to their faces? Even in an online capacity.

I hate the lack of integrity and cruelty that comes with gossip. Awful

 

[free2be]

It's sad, eh? Gossip can hurt terribly. I think some do it to get attention, they like to be the one to know the most. I think some do it becuase they genuinly want to hurt someone else. I think some do it because they just get caught up in it.

 

[rmw8855]

I don't know how much it really even has to do with the other person at all. Look how often people spread stories about people they don't even know. It's something that makes the person gossiping feel bigger / better & it makes them the center of attention.

 

[GreenMunchkin]

So people use it as a way to bond... why can't they just bond through kindness?

And I think you're right, Penny Many who do it probably wouldn't care if they knew they were hurting people.

Christians should be better than that.

 

[rmw8855]

So people use it as a way to bond... why can't they just bond through kindness?

And I think you're right, Penny Many who do it probably wouldn't care if they knew they were hurting people.

Christians should be better than that.

Yes we should be better than that and something we should all work to avoid.

 

[Hentenza]

Gossip is about power over information that hurst someone. Is about disinformation. For the most part the gossiper feels important while the person being gossiped about is left to defend themselves.

Proverbs 11:13
A gossip betrays a confidence,
but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.


Proverbs 16:28
A perverse man stirs up dissension,
and a gossip separates close friends.



Romans 1:28-30
28Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. 29They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents;



1 Timothy 1:13
13Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to.

 

[£amb]

Proverbs 11:13
A gossip betrays a confidence,
but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.


Hehe...this is one I should have on my desk...

 

[edie19]

We do it because we can.

That said - I don't think most of us do it consciously - we might say something about a person and not ever consider it gossip, rather we're just talking about a situation. I'm not saying it isn't ever done out of malice - but I do believe in many instances it is done in innocence, without intent to cause harm. Could be totally wrong (after all, I do believe that we're all depraved), but that's my 2 cents.

 

[woobadooba]

Why do people do it?

Perhaps it isn't always what it appears to be.

Sometimes it's necessary to disclose information about others to people that have the power to correct them.

For example, if someone is applying for a leadership position within a Christian capacity, but has an agenda to use such power as a means to cause harm to others, or to promote ideals that are not Christian, then it isn't gossip when one let's those who have the power to do something about this know about these things; rather, it is called responsibility in looking out for what is best for the people that would be subjected to such treatment.

I am currently dealing with something of this sort right now. It is unfortunate that this has to be done, but it is necessary.

This principle can actually be found in the Bible:

"If your brother sins against you, go and rebuke him in private. If he listens to you, you have won your brother.But if he won't listen, take one or two more with you, so that by the testimony of two or three witnesses every fact may be established.If he pays no attention to them, tell the church. But if he doesn't pay attention even to the church, let him be like an unbeliever and a tax collector to you.I assure you: Whatever you bind on earth is already bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth is already loosed in heaven.Again, I assure you: If two of you on earth agree about any matter that you pray for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven.For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there among them." (Mat 18:15-20 HCSB)

 

[GreenMunchkin]

Gossip is about power over information that hurst someone. Is about disinformation. For the most part the gossiper feels important while the person being gossiped about is left to defend themselves.

Proverbs 11:13
A gossip betrays a confidence,
but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.


Proverbs 16:28
A perverse man stirs up dissension,
and a gossip separates close friends.



Romans 1:28-30
28Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. 29They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents;



1 Timothy 1:13
13Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to.

This was really soothing to read, Hen, thank you

Nothing stills the soul like scriptures

 

[rmw8855]

My pastor defines gossip as anytime you are not a part of the problem or a part of the solution. If you don't fit into either of those categories, then you shouldn't be discussing it. To be a part of the answer/solution, you must have spiritual influence over all parties concerned. Gossip is not just speaking the problem, it is also the person who listens.

 

[woobadooba]

My pastor defines gossip as anytime you are not a part of the problem or a part of the solution. If you don't fit into either of those categories, then you shouldn't be discussing it. To be a part of the answer/solution, you must have spiritual influence over all parties concerned. Gossip is not just speaking the problem, it is also the person who listens.

So motives do play a major role in this.

 

[pgp_protector]

First thing I thought of when seeing this title is a song
Gossip by George Harrison
(AKA Devil's Radio)

I heard it in the night
Words that thoughtless speak
Like vultures swooping down below
On the devil's radio
...snip

 

[GreenMunchkin]

So motives do play a major role in this.

They must do. I can't help but think all gossip is, at its root, malicious, or at least ugly, but that gossip is quite a specific thing

But Robin's pastor's thoughts on it make sense, too.

 

[PreachersWife2004]

Speaking of motives...

Anyhoo, I have been guilty of gossip but not the 'mean girls' variety of gossip.

There are so many times that I might be talking to a parent down at school, and I mention something about another child, or about another parent. I don't always realize it, but that's gossip, too. If I'm talking to my mom, and I happen to tell her something that transpired between myself and a member, I am gossiping. Gossip doesn't always have to be false, and it doesn't even always have to be hurtful.

I always try to remember that if someone didn't outright give me permission to tell others what they have told me, I shouldn't be sharing it with anyone.

And trust me, it is HARD when I am so close with my husband and my mom.

 

[PastorDiane]

So motives do play a major role in this.

THE BOTTOM LINE ON gOSSIP IS THAT IT IS A TOOL FOR DIVISION THAT sATAN AND HIS dEMONS USE TO THWART THE PLANS AND BLESSINGS OF GOD, AND THERE IS NOT A BLESSING ATTACHED TO IT!!!! (FORGIVE THE CAPS THEY WERE ALREADY ON AND I DID NOT WANT TO RE-TYPE HEHEHEH)