Something about gossip is very appealing to our fleshly nature. “The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels” (Proverbs 18:8). To know another’s sensitive secret is to possess power. To whisper that secret is to use that power, to seem informed and important, to hurt reputations, and to divide people. “He who repeats a matter separates close friends” (Proverbs 17:9). “But,” says the whisperer, “my information is true.” Really? Gossip is usually one sided, spread in ways that bypass inspection or balancing facts. Even if true, is it helpful? “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up” (Ephesians 4:29). Stop initiating gossip. “Put away … all slander” (1 Peter 2:1 cf. Titus 3:2; James 4:11). Refuse to participate. Instead, ask the whisperer to take his “facts” directly to the victim of his gossip. Often, the effect is amazing: “For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases” (Proverbs 26:20).
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