Gossip is defined as "a person who chatters or repeats idle talk and rumors, especially about the private affairs of others". You might be asking, who would do such a thing? Well, if you think about the last time someone told you about something someone said about somebody doing something to someone else, it was then that you were a participant of gossip. The questions now are how does God feel about this subject? Will gossiping keep someone from entering into eternal life with the Lord? 

How does God feel about gossiping? (Leviticus 19:16) "Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour; I am the Lord." To those whom gossip, what part of thou shalt not, do you not understand? God does not approve of this type of behavior. God says that we ought to conceal those things opposed to revealing those things. (Proverbs 11:13) "A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter." God says that this can separate friendships. (Proverbs 16:28) "A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends." God says that those who gossip others should not meddle (take part/concern ourselves with) with. (Proverbs 20:19) "He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips." This behavior will put our souls in trouble. (Proverbs 21:23) "Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles."

Restraint is part of the Christian life. For instance we are to abstain from the appearance of evil (I Thessalonians 5:22). We are also told that we are fakes if we cannot control our tongues. (James 1:26) "If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain." Serving God is not just saying that you are his servant it is being his servant. Part of which includes living a Christian life. A Christian should be an example of righteous living. A Christian should be a light to the world. (Matthew 5:14-16) "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." What kind of light are we giving to the world when we are not coming close to living an accurate Christian life? Do you remember the fad that has faded amongst the young where they were wearing WWJD apparel? WWJD stands for "What Would Jesus Do". Can you see our Lord and Savior gossiping? If you could then you ought to be able to give a book, chapter, and verse to support that statement.

Here is a passage that so to speak puts the icing on the cake. (James 3:5-6) "Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell."

Will gossip keep someone from Heaven? I believe that the answer is obvious and this is why. Gossiping is obviously against God’s law. Sin is transgression of the Law. (I John 3:4) "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law." What is the price that sinners will pay? (Romans 6:23) "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

With the obvious punishment, you must know that there is a way out of that condemnation. (Acts 26:20) "…repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance." (Luke 13:3) "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." Is the price of eternity worth telling a few stories?
 
 
 
 
 

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