What is the definition of gossip according to the Bible?

November 16th 2015 | 43369 views 

 

Proverbs 20:19 & Proverbs 11:13(NIV), “A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much…a trustworthy person keeps a secret.” Both scriptures define gossip as a betrayal of a confidence. When people spread secrets (whether true or false), they are engaging in gossip and are to be avoided. Whereas, a trustworthy person will keep the matter to himself. She will not tell others.

Romans 1:29-32 (NIV) includes gossipers with the degenerate: “They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, under, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent…Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they …continue…but also approve of those who practice them.” This passage teaches how much God hates gossip. The practice of gossip is considered wicked, worthy of death.

So if gossiping is forbidden, how should we behave? Jesus gives us the Golden Rule in Matthew 7:12 (NIV), “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” We should always seek peace and love with our fellow man for this is pleasing to our Heavenly Father.

Exception: There are times when past "secrets" (serious crimes) should be revealed. Perhaps a perpetrator harmed a child or a mentally diminished person, or even killed a person. Then the victim would be unable to report the crime himself and to warn others. (Sometimes a victim feels guilt or shame, himself. He may be too overwhelmed to report a crime.) Therefore, in order to stop ongoing harm or to prevent future harm, others should be informed or warned. 

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