The Impact of Malicious Gossip

Did you know that malicious gossip is referred to several times in the Bible?

Gossip can spread fast between people, like a wildfire on a windy day.

Add a little extra spice to a “story” and the tall tales become “dainty morsels” for all who will listen.

The words of a gossiper are like dainty morsels,
And they go down into the innermost parts of the body. – Proverbs 18:8, (NASB).¹

Malicious gossip and/or embellishing a situation (which becomes a lie) is not godly behavior – no matter where it happens.

For example, I’ve seen the hurt that malicious gossip caused to friends of mine, and even foolish talk about me personally through the years.

I can assure you, if you’ve ever been in the center of it, you’re not alone.

Additionally, many malicious gossipers are also narcissists. They are so insecure about themselves that they need to demean others.

Malicious Gossip – Nobody’s Friend

Here’s one example of malicious gossip from my own life.

When we first moved to Texas, I “temped” at a bank. It was the first job I could get and we needed the extra income.

During my time there, I injured my leg – tore my gastroc muscle – during a bench-stepping exercise after work.

Limping around on crutches was no picnic.

I worked hard to get my strength back.

Every night my husband and I would hit the gym and I would walk around the track over and over, first using a crutch until eventually I could walk it on my own.

I also started a popular low fat diet at the time.

The diet and exercise worked. I started losing a lot of weight.

Eventually, I went from a size 8 down to a size 6 pretty easily.

Exciting!

Unfortunately, malicious gossip started at the bank. A group of women decided to spread the rumor that I was anorexic.

Childish, huh?

Even so, the gossips continued to spread their poison until it reached the bank president.

Afterward, he called me into his office because he was concerned about what he was hearing.

We had a nice talk and he agreed that those women obviously needed a new hobby.

It confounds me how some people and their friends can so easily want to lie and bring others down.

I’ve seen malicious gossip hurt people at their jobs, and also in churches.

Malicious Gossip – Churches Too?

Sadly, yes.

To emphasize with at least one example, a dear friend of mine who lives in a different state told me about the time that she and her new husband were maliciously gossiped about at their church. It became too vicious and too much. No one on the church’s staff would handle the situation, so our friends ended up leaving.

In reality, God is watching . . . all of us.

He is fully aware of our hearts and motives.

Even before there is a word on my tongue,
Behold, Lord, You know it all. – Psalm 139:4, (NASB).²

I ask you, shouldn’t we as Christians be building each other up instead of tearing down a brother or sister in Christ?

In short, if someone you know is spreading gossip, tell them you don’t want to hear it!

Another key point: if they gossip about someone else, they will likewise gossip about you someday.

   Nobody’s Friend

       My name is Gossip.  I have no respect for justice.  I maim without killing.  I break
hearts and ruin lives.  I am cunning and malicious and gather strength with age.
The more I’m quoted, the more I’m believed.  I flourish at every level of society. My victims are helpless.  They cannot protect themselves against me because I have no name and no face.  To track me down is impossible.  The harder you try, the more elusive I become.  I am nobody’s friend.  Once I tarnish a reputation, it is never the same.  I topple governments and wreck marriages.  I ruin careers and cause sleepless nights, heartache and indigestion.  I spawn suspicion and generate grief. I make innocent people cry in their pillows.  Even my name hisses.  I am called “gossip.” Office gossip.  Shop gossip.  Telephone gossip.  Church gossip.  I make headlines and headaches.  Before you repeat a story, ask yourself, “Is it true?”;  “Is it fair?”; “Is it necessary?”  If not, SHUT UP!  – (author unknown.)

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¹ Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

² Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.