Gossip and slander can quietly infiltrate the life of a church community, causing discord and division. Most of the time I hear these issues dismissed as harmless venting or sharing a concern, but they carry significant spiritual consequences with the speaker and the hearer.
Gossip usually involves sharing information about someone that we don’t know as true and often lacking the consent of the person being discussed. Slander, on the other hand, is making false statements that can damage someone’s reputation with others. I too often see both of these combined together. Gossip is shared and then slander is added to run the person down that is being talked about. Both practices are really damaging in a church setting, where unity and love is supposed to be our focus as Christians.
The Scriptures address these issues head-on. Proverbs 16:28 warns us, “A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.” This verse highlights how gossip can fracture relationships and create division among believers. I have seen this play out all too often, especially in a smaller church with people who are very close and connected.
And in James 4:11-12, we find a stern admonition: “Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it.” Here, James emphasizes that slander is not just harmful to individuals but also a violation of God’s law of love. I also find these verses especially relavent as they follow a whole section in James 4 were he talks about Submitting ourselves to God and what that looks like (give it a read)
The impact of gossip and slander in a church community can be big:
Broken Relationships:
Trust is easily shattered when people engage in gossip. Friendships can crumble under the weight of rumors and false words.
Division:
A church divided by gossip can quickly become ineffective in its mission. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1:10, “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you.”
Harm to the Body of Christ:
The church is described as the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). When gossip spreads, it can lead to a dysfunction in this body, causing pain and suffering to those affected.
To combat gossip and slander, we must foster an environment of respect and love.
Encourage Open Communication:
If a concern arises about someone or with someone, go to that person with a heart to see this issue clarified, or better yet, completely resolved. Matthew 18:15 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.” This verse instructs us to go directly to that brother or sister in Christ when we have an issue.
Be Mindful of Our Words:
Ephesians 4:29 teaches us to “not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs.” This should serve as a guiding principle in our conversations. Do my words glorify God? Are my words matching the teaching I read in the Word?
Pray for One Another:
This is a big one. When tempted to gossip, turn to prayer instead. Pray for the person being discussed and ask God to guide your heart and words.
Gossip and slander have no place in the church. As followers of Christ, we are called to love one another and build each other up. By adhering to the teachings of Scripture and cultivating a culture of respect, we can guard our hearts and our community against the destructive nature of gossip.
And this is much for those who find themselves sharing gossip and slander, but also for those who find themselves listening to these things. We have a responsibility to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to stop them when they go down these paths of unwholesome talk. Point those folk back to the truth of God’s Word. Pray with them and encourage them to only speak what builds one another up.
Let’s strive to be a church that shows unity, love, and grace, reflecting the character of Christ in all our interactions. By the power of God and the leading of His Holy Spirit, we can win in this area.
Pastor Tracy
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