Sermon Series: Behind the Curtain
Message: Gossip (Week 4)
Gossip-Talking about others to edify myself.
Gossip is always poisonous and divisive.
It always damages relationships.
Gossip goes against the Word of God.
Ephesians 4:29-30
29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
What kind of words are coming out of your mouth?
If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.
Our words reveal what is in our heart.
A Person Who Gossips:
Should be avoided.
1 Corinthians 15:33
Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”
Cannot be trusted.
Proverbs 20:19
Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.
If someone gossips to you about others, they will gossip to others about you.
Reveals their own insecurity.
Proverbs 18:8
The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
How to Handle Gossip:
Ask for forgiveness.
Matthew 5:22-23
23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
Jesus is calling us to deal with this.
Guard your words.
James 1:19
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;
James 1:26
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.
Go to the source.
Matthew 18:15-17
15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
This is not a license to be the sin police.
Galatians 6:1
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;
The purpose of confrontation should always be restoration.
John 17:22-23
22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,
23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.
Am I an answer to this prayer of Jesus Christ?