AM I A TALEBEARER? (Part II)

 

The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly (Proverbs 18: 8).

We are warned not to be “a busybody in other men’s matters” (I Pet. 4: 15). The Old Testament sounds a similar solemn warning: “Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD” (Lev. 19: 16).

Talebearers are meddlers who go about retailing scandal, and delight in slandering, accusing, ridiculing, or depreciating others. Such a one whispers juicy tales from ear to ear, saying, “Do you know?” “Have you heard?” “Do you know why?” Gossips have discovered that many people (due to their depraved fallen nature) are always interested in their stories and critical assessment of others. So they often find ears that are ready to hear some new thing or the faults of others, and pass the stories around.

“The gossiper is not the sole offender. Every gossip inflicts guilt on a number of listeners. They receive the sin, and relish and enjoy it, making it their own. Their hearts are hardened toward the victim, and they so often become ‘tellers’ in their turn. To tell gossip is as treacherous as recruiting another person to lie or steal of cheat. It is against the victims, the hearers, and ultimately the whole church” – Dr Peter Master (Sword & Trowel 1995 No. 2).

How do people become habitual gossips? What are some of the causes? How do we deal with this sinful tendency?

 

Backsliding

 

To answer the questions, it is fitting to start today’s study with a relevant comment by Dr Peter Masters (which we quoted in our article last week) : “Gossips are undoubtedly backsliders, however consistent they may be in attending meetings, and however vocal in claiming spiritual blessing.”

The backslider is an unhappy and discontented person. He is spiritually unwell because he has shifted his focus from pleasing God and directed it to pleasing Self: “The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself” (Prov. 14: 14). Barnes in his commentary explains this verse well: “Repeat the verb from the first clause, He who falls away from God in his heart, shall be filled with his own ways; and the good man (shall be filled) with that which belongs to him.” When “Self” is not exalted, such a one becomes unhappy and dissatisfied; he develops a bitter, complaining spirit. Very often, this spirit of discontent is manifested in judging, criticising and slandering others.

To curb this evil habit, we need to do a regular spiritual check. Daily self-examination not only convinces us about the wickedness of this sin but also creates awareness of all our other sins. This, in turn, helps us to maintain a humble and gracious spirit in our dealing with others.

 

Revenge

 

Gossip may be motivated by resentment and vindictiveness. When we are hurt or offended, we tend to hit back with malicious words. Gossip is vicious because it is a ‘knife shaped for the back.’

Has any one wronged us? Let us leave the matter with the Lord Who knows how to “repay.” Remember the words of the Apostle Paul: “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord” (Rom. 12: 19). Let us guard against a retaliatory spirit.

 

Intemperance

 

Talebearers never seem to be challenged by the Lord’s command to love one another. Making no attempt to restrain their tongue, they continue with their vicious, cowardly and cruelly injurious habit. They fail to see that this is an area of conduct which is not brought under the control of the Holy Spirit. God never gave us the right to declare a “no-go” area. Let us submit every sinful habit to His moulding. May the Lord help us to restrain this evil urge to gossip.

(… to be continued next week)

- Pastor