It’s really okay for you and me to enjoy life.

But it’s never wise to act blind or laugh at what God has rejected.

There seem to be some secret sins among Christians that are rarely addressed. These dysfunctional practices are temptations that can be overcome, but some have become sinful habits.

The Holy Spirit lovingly warns us so we’ll confess sin and agree with His Word. God’s will is that we “not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world” (1 John 2:1-2).

Click this link and read God’s Word with me: Psalm 19:14, Proverbs 11:9, Matthew 12:33-37, & James 1:26.

Gossip is the sin of ugliness. It’s like an internal malignant growth with unpredictable side effects.

The Psalmist actually prayed about his words and meditations. Proverbs describes the gossiper as a hypocrite. Jesus teaches us that mouth issues are the result of heart problems. Brother James said an unbridled tongue amounts to useless religion.

Let’s define gossip and decide IF we’re guilty.

The origin of words is helpful. Our modern English word, gossip, comes from older words that described people in a position to know private facts about others. Gossip now means knowing and spreading those personal facts without permission. It’s overstepping a known social boundary.

Some social scientists who were not Bible students came to this error in the late 1990s: In most cases… gossip is beneficial. It’s a unifying force communicating a group’s moral code. It’s the glue that holds us together. If you’re the recent subject of someone’s gossip and slander, you know that’s hogwash.

As you should expect, it’s not what the world says but what the Bible says that matters most to Christians. How does the Bible define this ugly sin?

The Old Testament Hebrew word for gossip describes someone who reveals secrets, acts as a scandal-monger, or is a talebearer. A gossiper spreads privileged details, telling others what they have no business knowing.

Gossip differs from routine information sharing because of intent: Gossipers often aim to make themselves look better by making others look bad. They act as a source of insider knowledge. It’s also about what’s shared: Gossipers spread the failures, faults, and potentially embarrassing details of others’ lives without their approval.

Have you ever been guilty of gossip?

If you’re a big talker, you’re more likely to gossip than others (see Proverbs 10:19).

Even when no harm is intended, gossip is still a sin!

Some think only women are susceptible to this spiritual immaturity, but men, teens, and your favorite senior citizens can also be guilty of gossip. Some personality types are more likely than others. Those who haven’t healed from past hurts are prone to it. I’ve observed that some gossipers tend to have the most to hide. But self-righteousness and insecurities keep them talking about you while they avoid addressing their own need for counseling, growth, and healing.

A drunk man walked out of a bar. As he staggered down the street, he bumped into a deacon from his church. He said, “I never meant for you to see me this way.” The deacon asked, “Why does it matter? God always sees you.” The drunk man said, “But God isn’t a blabbermouth like you are!” Both men went home under conviction that night.

What’s the big deal? Is it really that dangerous?

YES! Gossip is wrong because it can quickly morph into slander. Slander is a false statement that damages someone’s character. You can be legally charged and prosecuted for defamation of character.

One Sunday, a young teen told his pastor, “I’ve slandered my neighbor. What can I do?” His pastor insisted, “Put a feather on every doorstep in the neighborhood.” The boy slowly put out about 200 feathers. He returned to ask, “Now what?” His pastor said, “Now go pick them up.” But he found the winds had blown most of them away. His pastor explained, “It’s nearly impossible to stop the spread of gossip.”

Gossip is wrong no matter who the subject is. But gossiping about pastors and staff members makes them less effective in serving us. It undermines the work God is doing in His Church! It plants seeds of mistrust and rebellion that can bear more poisonous fruit than anyone can predict. Pastors, staff members, and their families are not perfect. But most are open to honest conversations and discussions, and that’s how we build unity.

Gossip destroys and divides people. However, we can shut down the rumor mill of gossip and prove ourselves trustworthy when we approach our issues with compassion and mercy.

Gossip is further condemned in the New Testament. Romans 1 (28-32) identifies gossipers as “whisperers” and groups these unrepentant sinners with those God gave “over to a debased mind.”

Wise servants of God preemptively protect God’s House from this sin of ugliness.

But we deal with woodpeckers and termites alike. The noisy woodpecker demands attention; you see these colorful pests at work. But tiny termites can go mostly unnoticed until the house begins to crumble. The loud woodpeckers without are easily seen, but the gossipy termites within seek to secretly destroy the house, one backbite at a time.

Let’s talk about some antidotes.

Church gossip addicts who are always getting and giving the tea are trampling God’s Word! You busybodies should fill your mind with Scripture. God’s Truth, with a capital T, must sanctify your heart (see John 17:17)!

Friend, you’ve got to stop believing all you hear from one or two insecure, narcissistic, and offended souls. Remember the Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12) and refuse to take sides when only God knows all the facts.

Gossip is not a godly attribute! Some people have shown us by their consistent patterns that they refuse to change. Romans 16:17 in the KJV says, “Mark them which cause offenses… and avoid them.” If you know unrepentant gossipers, you must limit your time with them.

Hear the wisdom of Romans 16:17-18 (JB Phillips Bible). “Keep a watchful eye on those who cause trouble and make difficulties among you, in plain opposition to the teaching you have been given, and steer clear of them. Such men do not really serve our Lord Jesus Christ at all but are utterly self-centered. Yet with their plausible and attractive arguments, they deceive those who are too simple-hearted to see through them.”

If you’re friends with a gossip, humbly challenge them with questions or statements like these: “Do you have permission to share that?” “They’re not here. Let’s go and talk with them.” “Let me call them and see when we can all get together to sort this out and pray.”

What’s the good news?

Jesus saves, forgives, and heals. He will forgive you for being a gossiper. He can heal your past, and you can stop being a hurt person who keeps hurting people. If you’re a victim of gossip and slander, do not return evil for evil (see Romans 12:17-18). The Lord sees it all. You bless them, pray for them, and trust God to take care of you and them (see Matthew 5:44-45).

Hear the Spirit say, “No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord” (Isaiah 54:17). That’s good news!

Even if a house is in disrepair because of the destruction caused by gossipy termites, Jesus is building His Church! He says, “I will build My Church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail” (Matthew 16:18). He specializes in resurrections. Besides, “Unless the Lord builds the house,” we’re laboring in vain (Psalm 127:1). We can cooperate with His building plans. That’s good news!

I encourage you to fill these next few minutes with prayer.

Whatever the secret sin is or how acceptable it seems— it’s time to repent.

Before you close this window, take some time to get in the humble posture of surrender.

Don’t focus on what you think others have done, and act blind to your own sinful habits. Ask and receive God’s forgiveness, and let His healing grace begin. Forsake any habit that doesn’t reflect Jesus Christ or glorify Him. Lean hard into the Holy Spirit like your life depends on Him.