Have Your Heard … about Gossip? [How to Train Your Tongue Series]

[Opening: Andy Griffith clip]

Ancient Proverb: Gossip is a rumor that goes in one ear and out many mouths.

The only time when people dislike gossip is when you gossip about them.
- Will Rogers 

Gossip Defined: 

Biblical Definition: Gossip: The betrayal of confidence. (Proverbs 11:13, 20:19)

Proverbs 18:8 - A gossip's words are like choice food that goes down to one's innermost being. 

The Lure of Gossip

1. Gossip just ___ do ___ ! (Proverbs 18:8)
2. Gossip appeals to our most fundamental, depraved human nature. 
   • Our curiosity … we are inquisitive and often-time nosy people. 
   • Our overabundance of time and technology
   • Our egos. 
   

How Does Gossiping Harm You? 

1. It allows evil to get a foothold. (image: this is what a "foothold" looks like) (Ephesians 4:27)
2. It gets you branded as being untrustworthy. (Proverbs 20:19)
3. It makes you a relationship destroyer. (Proverbs 17:19)
4. It ruins your fellowship with God. (James 1:26)

How to Shut Down Gossip 

We have to make the conscious choice to power it down. 

1. Re__ it!
2. Re__ it!
3. Redirect it (Look at the gossiper and say, "…")