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Gossip Devastates the Church of Christ Pastor Mark Fontecchio Reflect on the following question; "What is it that destroys a church the quickest?" My belief has always been that it is the dangers found in the theology of men. I am speaking of man centered theology, such as psychology and the seeker sensitive movement. I still contend and believe, as any earnest Christian should, that these lies from Satan ruin a number of good churches in our day. What about other issues? One that is burning a hole in my heart and mind is the issue of gossip. Maybe it is because, as a Pastor, I have seen the ravaging effects it can have on the body of Christ. Maybe it is because I have heard so many reports of other churches being ripped apart by backbiting and the whispers of men. To put it simply, I may have been naïve in thinking that most Christians know what the Word of God says about the issue. I may have even been naïve when I thought that most people, who claim the name of Christ for salvation, would strive with all of their heart to follow the Word of God. Without going into the details, let me just say that I have personally witnessed the truth that gossip can run through a church faster than any good report. When it does, it can spread its cancer and effect the faith of many newer believers in Christ. So I ask of you, take a few minutes and examine this subject with me from the Word of God. What Gossip is Not To understand this issue, we must first come to a proper definition of what is gossip, and what is not. Only then can we take the proper steps to avoid the destruction of this plague. A Good Report Is it always wrong to speak to others about another person? Is it wrong to pass on something that is worthy of praise? Let us turn to the Word of God for the answer. We must understand that a good report is worthy of our attention. Reflect on Philippians 4:8 which teaches us, "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things." The Apostle Paul provides us with many examples of passing on a good report from the Word of God. Consider what he wrote in Chapter 4 of Colossians. Verse 7 teaches us, "Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me." Not only did Paul teach us that it was worthy to publicly praise a brother in the faith, but that he expected Tychicus to actually pass on the news about Paul's ministry. Take into account what Paul wrote next: "I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here. Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis." (Colossians 4:8-13) We can only conclude from the Bible that it is right to pass on that which is praiseworthy about a brother or sister in the faith. This is not gossip and is not sin, but this is actually what we should be doing! A Word of Encouragement Continuing in the same passage in the book of Colossians, we learn something interesting in verse 17 of Chapter 4. Notice with me what we read, "And say to Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it." Apparently Paul felt that Archippus needed some encouragement to complete the ministry that Christ had for him, and he had no problem passing this message on publicly. Clearly the motive was love, and unmistakably Paul wanted only what was best for Archippus and for the church of Jesus Christ. The letters to Timothy and Titus give us great examples that, as followers of Jesus Christ, we should strive to embolden our brothers and sisters in the faith to complete the service to Christ to which they have been called. Protecting the Church Should Elders in the church ever speak about the people entrusted to their care, other than a word of encouragement or in praise? The answer from the Word of God is yes. Consider 2 Timothy 4:14-15, "Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words." Paul was having trouble with Alexander. It is clear that he was not listening and was damaging the ministry of Christ. Did Paul have the love of Christ for this man? I must think that he did. Nevertheless, Paul's greater mandate was to protect the ministry of Jesus Christ. The church is too precious to be allowed to be destroyed by one (or a few) rotten apples. Paul did not seek revenge, but rather sought for the Lord to repay this man. Notice though, that Paul did name the troublemaker, and told Timothy to steer clear of such a dangerous man. In case you might think that 2 Timothy is an isolated instance, think of Paul's words in 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15, "And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother." In this situation we see unmistakably that those who were in disobedience were to be clearly warned that the path they were on was in rebellion to the Lord. The church was told to pay attention to those who were in disobedience to the Word of God, and to not keep company with those people. Not only was Paul concerned about the brother and sister who had strayed into disobedience, but he was concerned about their impact upon the entire church. Another passage that we should turn to is found in Acts Chapter 20. Verse 17 teaches us that Paul was gathered together with the Elders of the church of Ephesus at the city of Miletus. Take note of what he said in verses 28-31, "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears." Paul was warning this group of men that wolves come in and attack the church, not sparing the people of God. At the same time, he warned them that men would rise up within the church looking to draw away the Lord's sheep. What must this group of men do? They were told to watch, to be on guard for men or women who will attack the Church of Christ. Since the Bible is abundantly clear that the church is to be led by a plurality of Elders, the only logical conclusion we can make is that these men must talk in private amongst themselves about these situations. It should never be to slander, and always in a spirit of love. It should never be to gossip, but to watch for the attacks of Satan upon the Church of Christ. What is Gossip Despite what you may think, gossip is pretty easy to define. Chances are, you have probably been guilty of gossip in the past. James 3:8 says, "But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison." Let us begin our understanding of what gossip is, by looking to Matthew Chapter 18. Suppose someone in the church has wronged you; what should you do? Verse 15 has the answer. It tells us, "Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother." Pay close attention to this verse, because it teaches us more than you might think. First notice if your brother sins against you then go to that person and that person only. If the person has sinned against your friend in the church, but your friend has not bothered going to that person, then you have no business hearing about it. Truth be told, if your friend has not gone to the person, then you should not even listen. If you sit down and listen to the person that has a complaint against another believer, then you are actually the one guilty of gossip! In fact, you both are guilty of gossip at this point. Notice the goal of the entire situation is to gain our brother; this is love. Love should always be the motive. The wording of this verse suggests to us that our brother in the faith may not even know that he did something wrong. Paul taught this same thing in Galatians 6:1 where he wrote, "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted." Only if our brother or sister does not listen to us should we go to another believer in the faith about the situation. This is what Jesus teaches us in verses 16-17, "But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.' And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector." When our hearts are truly looking out for the best interests of our brother or sister in the faith, we should be carefully examining our own hearts, making sure that in all things our motive is love. Slander seeks to destroy, love seeks to restore. We should make sure that we are keeping the number of people involved down to the smallest possible circle, and only include those who are involved in being a part of the solution. To do otherwise, would be gossip. The Warning Imagine you are called to a court case to be a witness of an accident. As you take the stand a lawyer begins to ask you what you saw. Since you did not actually see the accident happen for yourself, you begin to describe what your friend has told you happened. Before you get very far the lawyer for the other side yells out, "Objection, hearsay." In other words, you didn't witness the event, and you can only provide hearsay of what happened. The court is not looking for this type of evidence, because it knows that it is actually just gossip. The courts will only convict men based on evidence and by witness testimony, not hearsay. The church must pay attention to this important lesson. We must not try to condemn our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ based only on what our friends have told us. This is gossip, and is actually bearing a false witness against our fellow believer in Jesus Christ. The warning from the Word of God is clear. Proverbs 6:19 tells us that the Lord hates, "A false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren." ________________________________________________________________________ Wisdom to Apply From God's Word "A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends." (Proverbs 16:28) "A talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter." (Proverbs 11:13) "The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, and they go down into the inmost body." (Proverbs 18:8) "He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips." (Proverbs 20:19) "Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases." (Proverbs 26:20) ________________________________________________________________________ Copyright © 2008, Pastor Mark Fontecchio - All Rights Reserved (All scripture is taken from the New King James Version)
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