There are a lot of issues in churches. There is disunity. There is sin. Some say churches are full of hypocrites. Some churches are led by poor leaders. Some churches don’t allow their leaders to lead. Some churches have financial challenges.
However, nearly every church has at least one problem, even if on a small level. That one problem is gossip.
Gossip is sharing information about other people, which is often unconfirmed and usually seeks a reaction.
Former first lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, said, “Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.”
Pastor Rick Warren said, “Gossip is saying behind someone’s back what you would never say to their face.”
Motivational speaker Steve Maraboli said, “Gossip is just a tool to distract people who have nothing better to do from feeling jealous of those who do.”
Gossip should not be a part of churches, yet in many churches, gossip is alive and well.
So, what should we do? We should “Stop that!”
Indeed, that’s our sermon for today, “Stop Gossiping!”
Before we go any further into the sermon, let’s go to God in prayer and ask Him to speak to us.
(prayer)
Ok, as we consider gossip this morning, let’s consider three negative characteristics of gossip.
Here are some of the reasons that you should stop that!
First, . . .
I. Gossip parallels lying.
To be parallel with something means to be beside it, run with it, or be in the same direction or position.
Well, gossip is not exactly the same as lying, but it’s in the same family.
Gossip and lying hang out together on weekends.
Gossip and lying are parallel to one another.
Listen to what Proverbs 11:13 says about gossip:
“A gossip goes around revealing a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.”
You see, lying is saying something that you shouldn’t say, and gossip is saying something you shouldn’t say. The two run parallel with one another.
Lying can do a lot of damage, can’t it? Lying in churches can especially do a lot of damage.
The reality is that gossip can do a lot of damage also.
When we gossip, what we may mean as something to get attention or to make ourselves look interesting can actually cause great damage.
James speaks about the danger of what we say. He says in James 3:5–6:
“So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things. Consider how a small fire sets ablaze a large forest. And the tongue is a fire . . . ”
The tongue is a fire. Lying can burn someone. Gossip can as well; both the one who said it and the one about whom it was said.
Gossip parallels lying.
Second, we learn that . . .
II. Gossip pries apart the church.
Think about some things that are easy to pry apart.
Perhaps a banana peel. How about velcro strips? Maybe boiled peanuts.
What are some things that are difficult to pry apart?
I think of rusty metal parts. I think of frozen steaks. You might think of newlyweds.
Here’s a question: Should the church be easy or difficult to pry apart? It should be difficult, right?
The church should be bound together in unity, love, and strength so that nothing can tear her apart.
Yet, gossip can pry apart a church. That’s how powerful gossip is.
Here’s the reality, too: The more you gossip in a church, the easier it is to pry it apart.
Proverbs 16:28 says:
“A contrary person spreads conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.”
Someone who gossips can separate even close friends. Indeed, they can also separate a church family.
Listen to how the Apostle Paul spoke to the church in Corinth when he was concerned about their health.
He said in 2 Corinthians 12:20:
“For I fear that perhaps when I come I will not find you to be what I want . . . Perhaps there will be quarreling, jealousy, angry outbursts, selfish ambitions, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.”
Paul knew that gossip (among other sins) was not good for the church.
You might think, is it really that big of a deal? Can what I say really hurt the church?
A study by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research found that over 28% of churches report frequent conflicts, which are often fueled by gossip.
The Barna Group reported that 1 in 4 unchurched individuals cite church conflicts and gossip as significant reasons for avoiding religious institutions.
66% of Americans say gossip is harmful. (YouGov). Well, that’s certainly true in the church as well.
Gossip is powerfully destructive.
Proverbs 18:21 says:
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue . . . ”
Gossip can pry apart a church family.
Third, we learn that . . .
III. Gossip pleases the devil.
Here’s the truth: Gossip is sinful; gossip is evil.
Here’s another truth: The devil is pleased when those in the church sin. He’s pleased when they commit evil acts. He’s pleased when they gossip.
In the beginning part of the Book of Romans, Paul lists a series of deplorable sins that are part of what he calls a “corrupt mind.” See if you can catch what is among these deplorable sins:
Romans 1:29–31 says:
“They are filled with all unrighteousness, evil, greed, and wickedness. They are full of envy, murder, quarrels, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, arrogant, proud, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, senseless, untrustworthy, unloving, and unmerciful.”
Gossip is a godless, evil behavior. It pleases the devil, but it does not please God.
Here’s the deal, though: Gossip is attractive for us. For some reason, people enjoy participating in it, don’t they? (Of course, not you but others).
There’s something about having some inside information that makes us feel important.
There’s something about knowing the scoop that makes us feel like we’re special.
God knows this about people. His word tells us in Proverbs 18:8:
“A gossip’s words are like choice food that goes down to one’s innermost being.”
You see, it feels good in the moment, like delicious food, but it’s not good; it’s evil.
It’s like someone who is lactose intolerant eating a big ice cream Sunday. It’s may taste good in the moment, but it’s going to cause some damage later.
So, we need to be careful, brothers and sisters.
Let us not allow the devil to infiltrate our lives, our relationships, and our church.
Don’t let the devil use your words for evil.
Instead, adopt the attitude described by Peter in 1 Peter 5:8:
“Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.”
Don’t let the devil devour you and our church by using you for gossip.
Gossip is evil. It is not for a child of God.
Gossip pleases the devil.
Gossip is parallel to lying. Gossip pries apart the church. Gossip pleases the devil.
Here’s our bottom line for today:
Bottom Line: Stop Gossiping; Start Encouraging!
Gossip tears people down. Rather than tearing people down, we should build them up!
How do we do that? Well, one of the ways we do that is through encouragement.
Paul says in Ephesians 4:29:
“No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear.”
Church, let’s be committed to giving grace to each other and building each other up!
Proverbs 12:25 says:
“Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down, but a good word cheers it up.”
Don’t weigh down someone’s heart by giving them something to be anxious about through your gossiping. Instead, cheer up someone’s heart by giving them a good word.
In John 13:34, Jesus said:
“I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another.”
Church: As Jesus loved, let us love one another.
Don’t be a gossiper; be an encourager!
Challenge yourself this week in this one way:
Weekly Challenge: Make a pledge to encourage rather than gossip.
Can you imagine how wonderful it would be if all the gossip in our church turned into encouragement?
Here’s the thing: If you’re a gossip, you obviously like to talk, and some people may actually like listening to you.
If you use your desire to talk as a means to encourage others, God will use you in a wonderful way. Wouldn’t you rather be used by God than by the devil?
Now, some of you may not know if what you’re saying is gossip.
Here’s a good test. This is a version of something that has been attributed to Socrates. Ask yourself these questions:
Is it true?
Is it necessary?
Is it kind?
Let that be your guide. Here’s another tip: If in doubt, don’t say it.
Be an encourager rather than a gossiper.
(Gospel presentation)
(closing prayer)
COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER: The text contained in this sermon is solely owned by its author. The reproduction or distribution of this message, or any portion of it, should include the author’s name. The author intends to provide free resources in order to inspire believers and to assist preachers and teachers in Kingdom work.
