3 Reasons Why God Hates Gossip.

Sticks and stones can break bones - but words have the power to destroy lives.

Let's spill the tea. Gossip has become a part of our daily conversations. You and and I have gossiped; we have also been victims of gossip.

What is gossip? Gossip is unrestrained conversations, usually involving rumors, about other people. If you're wondering whether that conversation you had qualifies as gossip, chances are: it does.

Gossip is so powerful that it has the ability to control people's lives. In fact, many of us make important decisions based on our internal response to one simple question we often ask ourselves: what will people say?

But what does God have to say when it comes to Gossip?

"There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers." Proverbs 6:16-19

Gossip made the short list. Right there, along with pride and murder, is gossip.

Why does God hate gossip so much? Here are 3 reasons.

Gossip made God's short list - a list of things he absolutely detests. Right there, along with pride and murder, is gossip.

Don't mess with a bear's cubs.

Growing up as a pastor's kid, you're subject to quite a bit of gossip. That's just the reality of being the child of the lead pastor. When someone would gossip about me - it would hurt. I'd get upset, I'd get discouraged - a couple of times, I even cried.

Gossip hurt me. But do you know who it hurt even more? My parents. The paternal and maternal instincts of all parents are designed by God for the good of their children. You might be able to get away with poking a bear (don't try it); but you would never get away with poking a bear cub in front of their mama or papa bear. Those paternal and maternal instincts were placed there by God. Why? Because we were created in the image of God - and God is a Father.

When you gossip about another person, you are slandering one of God's children. Watch it - God has very strong paternal instincts.

Taking a sledgehammer to the walls of the temple.

The Bible is comprised of two testaments, or covenants: the Old and the New. In the Old Testament, the Spirit of God dwelled in the innermost part of man-made temples and tabernacles: the Holy of Holies. Even more specifically, the presence of God rested on the ark of the covenant (Exodus 25:22.)

The Ark of the Covenant was so holy that when a random citizen touched it to prevent it from toppling over while being transported, he died instantly. Given that information, imagine, for a moment, witnessing someone beating on the walls of the temple with a sledgehammer - attacking the very dwelling place of God. Not the brightest idea, right?

In the New Testament the new dwelling place of God is the Believer. Every individual Christian is home to the presence of God. The tongue is a greater weapon than any sledgehammer.

When you gossip about a Christian, you are literally attacking the temple of God with your words.

Not the brightest idea.

When you gossip about a Christian, you are literally attacking the temple of God with your words.

When you gossip, you are doing Satan's job for him.

In Revelation 12:10, Satan is described as "the accuser of the brethren;" or, the accuser of believers. The Bible says that he slanders believers "day and night." Gossip is literally Satan's job. When you gossip, you are doing the devil's job for him.

Get Inspired

Shortly after my wife and I got married, we took a road trip to Los Angeles. On our way down from Sacramento, on a very hot day, we noticed a brush fire off in the distance while driving on the highway. We called 9-11 and reported it. The 9-11 operator thanked us for the report, and told us that she was dispatching firefighters right away because that small brushfire had the power to be a terrible, destructive force. They had seen it far too many times before.

When you are in a social setting where the sin of gossip is present: put it out. What seems like a small bit of spilt tea has the power to become a terrible, destructive force.

"The tongue is a fire..." - James 3:6

#gossip