Wait till you hear what I heard

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Wait till you hear what I heard - - -

• What is Gossip?
• Why is gossip wrong?
• January 2 - PM

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Gossip
Famous drawing by Norman Rockwell
We joke about it
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You know what is coming

• Wait till you hear what I heard
• Dont tell her I told you
• I am not sure about this but I think
• Do you know what she said about you?
• Gossip is a sin
• What is Gossip?
• Why is it a sin?

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Gossip is a Sin

• Several biblical terms used talebearer is the
  most commonly found
• Proverbs 188 - The words of a talebearer are
  like tasty trifles, And they go down into the
  inmost body.
•  3 levels
• Rumors
• Hurtful, spite, hateful
• Secret, private, intimate details

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Gossip Good / Bad

• It seems to me that there is good gossip and
  there is bad gossip and which KIND it is largely
  determined by the intent of the gossiper. If the
  intent is to malign and demean then it is bad
  gossip. If the intent is to inform and we believe
  the information will lead to understanding, then
  it is good gossip. From a sermon by Peter House

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Gossip is Wrong Because It destroys reputations

• Ecclesiastes 71 - A good name is better than
  precious ointment, And the day of death than the
  day of ones birth
• 1 Samuel 1830b - David behaved more wisely than
  all the servants of Saul, so that his name became
  highly esteemed.

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Gossip is Wrong Because It destroys reputations

• The NT also places emphasis on a good name
• Acts 63 men of good reputation
• Acts 1022 Cornelius
• Acts 2212 Ananias
• A good name takes years to build and a few
  seconds to destroy

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Gossip is Wrong Even of the information is true

• Some think the defense of gossip is It is the
  truth.
• Proverbs 1113 - A talebearer reveals secrets,
  But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a
  matter.
• Ecclesiastes 37b - A time to keep silence, And a
  time to speak

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Gossip is Wrong Even of the information is true

• Proverbs 1019a - In the multitude of words sin
  is not lacking,
• Proverbs 2010 - He who goes about as a
  talebearer reveals secrets Therefore do not
  associate with one who flatters with his lips.
• If they talk about others to you, they will talk
  about you to others.

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Gossip is Wrong Even of the information is true

• Proverbs 259-10 9 Debate your case with your
  neighbor, And do not disclose the secret to
  another 10 Lest he who hears it expose your
  shame, And your reputation be ruined.

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Gossip is Wrong Even of the information is true

• She has 3 children not gossip
• She has 3 children. One is away at college.
  not gossip
• She has 3 children. One is in jail on drug
  charges. - Gossip

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Gossip is Wrong BecauseIt unfairly pre-judges

• Matthew 71 - Judge not, that you be not judged.
• Gossip only gets one side of the story

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Gossip is Wrong BecauseProtects Sources More
than the Victim

• A reliable source said
• I cant tell you who told me
• These are usually a good sign that you should not
  listen to this person.

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Gossip is Wrong BecauseViolates the Rule of Love

• We should put the best possible interpretation
  on what is said or done.
• Follow the Golden Rule Matthew 712
• The rule of love 1 Corinthians 13

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Gossip is Wrong BecauseIgnores Context

• Almost any statement can be taken out of its
  context and made to say something not intended by
  the speaker
• Most gossip starts this way

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Gossip is Wrong BecauseIt is Self-Motivated

• The gossiper often seeks to make others look
  worse so they wont look so bad.
• 2 Corinthians 1012 - For we dare not class
  ourselves or compare ourselves with those who
  commend themselves. But they, measuring
  themselves by themselves, and comparing
  themselves among themselves, are not wise.

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Gossip is Wrong BecauseDisobeys God

• Leviticus 1916 - You shall not go about as a
  talebearer among your people nor shall you take
  a stand against the life of your neighbor I am
  the LORD.
• Psalm 151-3 1 LORD, who may abide in Your
  tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? 2 He
  who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And
  speaks the truth in his heart 3 He who does not
  backbite with his tongue, Nor does evil to his
  neighbor, Nor does he take up a reproach against
  his friend

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Gossip is Wrong BecauseDisobeys God

• Ephesians 431 Evil speaking
• Titus 31-2 Speak evil of no one
• James 411 Do not speak evil of a brother

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Some Observations

• Before you speak ask three questions
• Is it true?
• Is it necessary?
• Will it help?
• Real compassion acts,gossip just sits on the
  tongue.

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Some Observations

• I am either part of the problem OR part of the
  solution.
• Do not listen to the gossip of others
• Say to them, I am afraid that would get into
  gossip.
• Call it what it is and they will stop
• Gossipers can only gossip if others will listen

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Conclusion

• Do not get started in this vicious habit of
  gossiping
• It starts in the heart Matthew 1519
• Proverbs 2620 - Where there is no wood, the fire
  goes out And where there is no talebearer,
  strife ceases.