Gossip: Satan's Subtle, but Lethal Weapon

How could gossip possibly benefit society? Robb Willer - an associate professor of sociology - while exploring the nature of gossip and ostracism in experimental groups in conjunction with Matthew Feinberg, a Stanford University postdoctoral researcher and Michael Schultz from the University of California (Berkeley), claims that groups who encourage their members to gossip maintain cooperation and discourage selfishness compared to those that do not (Stanford Report, January 27, 2014).

The academics above believe gossip can help social groups to reform bullies, and that it does encourage cooperation while simultaneously protecting decent people from being exploited. It is interesting to know too from their research that groups perform better when they indulge in gossip, which may as well lead to the ostracism of 'untrustworthy members'.

By the way, the researchers experimented with 216 participants whom they divided into groups. At the end, the researchers found that when people learn about the behaviour of others through gossip, they utilize the knowledge to adjust their relations with those that are thought to be co-operative. For Doctor Robb Willer, excluding non-conformists gives cooperative members the opportunity to "freely invest in the public good without fear of exploitation.”

Apparently, the most significant benefit of gossip, according to the study, is that selfish people can be excluded from group activities and prevented from further exploiting more cooperative people for their own benefits. Similarly, biologists, having analyzed sample human conversations, found that about 60% of time was spent gossiping about relationships and personal experiences (Amy Toffelmire and C. Health). ICT has further empowered gossip! Word is now received in seconds via Facebook, Twitter, blogs, email, SMS, etc. What does your Facebook page look like? When you receive a phone call from a non-Christian friend, what do you guys talk about, etc.?

According to Frank T. McAndrew - a professor of psychology - gossip is comprised of talking, listening, sharing secrets and stories, etc. and it bonds us together as well as helps us to form friendships (Scientific American). McAndrew further submits that we all are quite eager to hear and spread any unpleasant news about people we dislike or any good news about people we favour. When McAndrew states that men are more likely to share gossip only with their romantic partners, I immediately picture me and my wife; and ironically, this is often after we have just finished praying together in the morning and I would have heard Chuck Swindoll's Insight for Living! And in the background is my tablet, enabled by Virgin's Wi-Fi, playing gospel songs - what hypocrisy!

Can you relate? I have been approached several times in places of worship by believers who are so critical of their fellow human beings. Some even speak of those who are 'weak' and 'struggling' spiritually, etc. How would such information benefit me? And there I am, enjoying it and sometimes, contributing to the ungodly discussion.

What does the Bible say about gossip? My favourite scripture is Proverbs 20:19, which says: "A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much." In other words, when words are many, sin is very much present (Prov. 10:19). How could gossip foster cooperation? Proverbs 16:28 says, "A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends." Let us consider the following definitions:

Perversion: "something that improperly changes something good; the process of improperly changing something that is good" (Merriam-Webster dictionary); Stir: " To provoke deliberately" (Free dictionary). May I add that if we deliberately continue to do this, especially as followers of Christ, God may exhaust his grace on us! Shocking? Then see Hebrews 10:26; Conflict: " To come into collision or disagreement; be contradictory, at variance, or in opposition; clash" (Free Dictionary).

So, who is a gossip? He/she is a perverse person that is not happy when there is peace in a group; he/she therefore employs one of Satan's highly potent tools (gossip), which is not extremely obvious, to create disunity.

When translated in the Old Testament, the Hebrew word defines a gossip as “one who reveals secrets, one who goes about as a talebearer or scandal-monger” (gotquestions.org). When you are tempted to talk about others, ask yourself if it is the business of your listeners to hear your revelation. Why do you gossip about others - to build yourself up by making others look bad? Do you exalt yourself as all-knowing by making others look deficient by your gossiping?

If you find yourself speaking of the faults and failings of others, or revealing potentially embarrassing or shameful details about others without their knowledge or approval, even if your intention is not to harm, you are GOSSPING! And God save you, if you are supposedly a Bible- carrying, gospel music- listening and mobile phone/tablet evangelistic video- viewing Pharisee!

If we think grace is limitless, then the following Bible verses should serve as a rude awakening: Romans 6:1, 12; Matthew 7:21-23; Matthew 23:13-15; Mark 10:17-27. A lot of false teachings we watch and listen to can make us feel that 'once saved, we are always saved'.

And we can go into the forgiveness mode of 7 x 77 (Matthew 18:21-23) and the thief on the cross (Luke 23:32-43), etc. in order to justify our sinful act of gossiping. Would you like to know what God says about this attitude? Psalm 36: 1-4: " An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes. For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin. The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful; he has ceased to be wise and to do good. Even on his bed he plots evil; he commits himself to a sinful course and does not reject what is wrong."

Why must we use gossip to ostracize the wayward when 1 Corinthians 5:2 is very clear about what to do with such people - Christians? Please do not be quick to teach non- believers the Bible when you take liberty in gossiping about and, slandering other people. If you do, note that God will judge you more harshly (James 3:1).

I have a personal conviction that gossip is vile (Revelation 21:8) and therefore has no place in the kingdom of God. I thank Almighty God for sustaining me so I could repent of this sin. Satan uses gossip as a very potent weapon of attack against the children of God so we do not make it to heaven. We must be determined about resisting the devil (James 4:7) and ridding ourselves of this maleficent habit (Matthew 5:29 - 30).

How may we overcome gossip? Philippians 4:8-9; James 3: 5 -11. Rather than use gossip to ostracize non-conformists, people who gossip should be ostracized! Is there anything that stops us from confronting, challenging and correcting bad behaviour (2 Timothy 3:16 - 17)? Why use evil (gossip) to correct evil (bad behaviour)? "Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." 1Peter 3:9.

Conclusion How exactly has the outcome of the scholars' research helped society, when answers to all questions are found in the Bible? 1 Corinthians 1:27.

Originally written and posted by author to an earlier URL on 4th November 2014.