Lets face it gossip is a reality in the church.  It has been since the church started 2000 years ago.  That is why James writes about it.  It is destructive and we must be aware of it.  One may be inclined to think that something is going on around me that caused me to write about the subject. I am not attmepting to squelch something with my blog.  I would have a face to face meeting to accomplish that.  But it might surprise you to know that I have been in ministry for 14 years and this is a constant.  There are always people talking about things that are destructive.  There is no value in the conversation whatsoever.  That is why I shared the email I received on Tuesday.  I want people to know that words matter.  You may think you are not hurting anyone but in fact you are giving the enemy a sphere to operate in.  What is gossip?

gossip |ˈgäsəp|
noun
casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details that are not confirmed as being true : he became the subject of much local gossip.

It is unrestrained conversation.  Unrestrained is the key.  I have helped a lot o people deal with conflict over the past two decades and it is usually the result of a lack of restraint.  My hope is that these posts have caused you to think about your own mouth.  You have a choice to make with every conversation you have.  You must decide if this is healthy talk or unrestrained conversation that is destructive.  If it is the latter and you don’t stop it you are actively engaging in SIN.  Why not roll up a joint and really indulge yourself while you are at it.  We would never do that but why do we think in God’s eyes it is any different.  SIN is SIN and GOSSIP is SIN.

Proverbs 16:28  A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends.

Proverbs 20:19 A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much.

Proverbs 26:20 Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.

2 Corinthians 12:20-21 For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder. ²¹I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged.