by Marilynn Chadwick

"A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends." Proverbs 16:8 NIV

The Bible mentions gossip and its related behaviors, such as slander, backbiting, and whispering, over 150 times. The sin of gossip is often mentioned alongside more seemingly serious sins, like theft or murder. "They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy" (Romans 1:29-32 NIV).

Gossip is pretty serious stuff. The book of Proverbs paints a picture of the dire consequences of gossip and gives ample warnings to avoid its sting: "A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret" (Proverbs 11:13 NIV).

At its core, gossip is simply another lust of the flesh. And like any lust, gossip can seem temporarily satisfying. "The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts" (Proverbs 18:8).

The New Testament strongly warns us about the dangers of gossip. It's as if gossip is an appetite all its own. "But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another!" (Galatians 5:15 NKJV). This passage is addressed to Christ followers and warns against destructive conflict, gossip, and strife within the church. The solution is found in Galatians 5:16: "Walk in the Spirit and you will not obey the lusts of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16 NIV).

When we follow Jesus, we have the indwelling Holy Spirit. Living by the Holy Spirit's guidance, or "walking in the Spirit," enables us to overcome sinful, fleshly desires, like the temptation to gossip, rather than giving in to them. This requires continual abiding in Christ and trusting his power within us, rather than simply fighting the temptation through sheer willpower. Remember, the flesh and spirit continually war against one another (Galatians 5:16-17).

When it comes to the sin of gossip, it pays to be alert. To realize temptation can come disguised as a "prayer request" or "verbal processing" with a friend. Walk in the Spirit daily. Keep up your guard. Be alert to the devil's methods. Don't use your freedom to "indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love" (Galatians 5:14).

Sometimes the best defense is a good offense. Replace gossip with something stronger. Pray. Try fasting from gossip. Take it to the cross. Find accountability with a fellow believer. And remember, love covers a multitude of sins.