Gossip! A cancer to the Church

I say

 

 When someone says something closer to our ears, it’s obvious that the matter lacks some degree of  creditability and truth. We know that the person who is passing on the information was not confident enough on the accuracy of the matter. Yet we can’t help tilting our heads and pay attention. And before we even know it, we find ourselves whispering the more distorted version   of the information to someone else’s ear.

Many people argue that gossip is a harmless sharing of information. After all “information is power”. Isn’t it that what they say? And everybody loves power. However, in my opinion gossip does more harm than empower. Especially in the church. 

I like the following definition of Gossip as it precisely reveals the true nature of gossip in the Christian context.

“The Hebrew word translated “gossip” in the Old Testament is defined as “one who reveals secrets, one who goes about as a talebearer or scandal-monger.” A gossiper is a person who has privileged information about people and proceeds to reveal that information to those who have no business knowing it.”

In my opinion, alike any other communication processes, gossip is a communication process that involve three components. The Source, the message and the receiver. However, what makes the process a “gossip” is the lack of confidence in the relayed message and the motive behind passing it on. Yet, in spite of the uncertain message it contains and the intent behind, gossip seems to create a contagious excitement and a temptation to pass it on.

It is normal and encouraged to share personal information among fellow Christians for the sake of “sharing burdens in prayer”. However, we often betray our fellow Christians by ignore and abuse this golden Christian value. Everyday, gossip crushes someone’s marriage, friendship or emotion. Gossip has caused and still causing a great deal of spiritual and emotional bankruptcy in the church. That’s why I say it is a “fatal cancer”, as it consumes the unity, integrity, trust and fellowship within the church.

 The Bible says

“a perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends” Proverb 16:28

 “a gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man [or woman] who talks too much” Proverbs 20:19

“…the words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts” Proverb18:7-8.

What do you say?