Only YOU can prevent Gossip Fires

All over the world families, churches, and other relationships are being destroyed by a raging fire, the fire of gossip and slander.  Someone says something negative about another and the news spreads like a wild fire.  There are several immediate victims of this tragedy.  Of course, the person how was viciously attacked without provocation or proof often can have his or her reputation damaged beyond repair.  What can be done to put out this hideous fire?  What can be done to prevent Church splits and broken homes?  What can be done to prevent the destruction?  The answer is simple, you must identify and remove the cause and the fuel for the fire, the talebearer.

The Bible gives us some dire warnings about the power of the tongue.  It tells us that this little body part can set great fires that will destroy lives.


James 3:5–6 (AV)

⁵ Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! ⁶ And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

What makes our tongue so vile?  Our tongue is simply a valve that allows the putrid stench of our corrupted minds to spew out into the open.  People have a great deal controlling the tongue, because they do not control what they think.  The tongue simply betrays the secrets of the mind.

 
Matthew 12:34 (AV)

³⁴ O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

Jeremiah 17:9 (AV)

⁹ The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

 
So we see that Satan has a lot to work with already in that we have the potential for great wickedness just by allowing our tongue to betray our thoughts.  Now add to this the tactic that Satan uses above all others, the tactic of accusation.


Revelation 12:9–10 (AV)

⁹ And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. ¹⁰ And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

We understand that as human beings, we all have the capability of using our tongues to kindle great fires of gossip, but not everyone does.  We must learn to identify the talebearer.  The following are characteristics that are common in those folks that Satan uses to wreak great havoc on good reputations.

• The talebearer is an unfaithful friend revealing secrets to those who have nothing to do with fixing the problem.                                                                                             Proverbs 11:13 (AV) ¹³ A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

• The talebearer travels to and fro to proclaim the message to all who will hear.                                                                    Leviticus 19:16 (AV)  ¹⁶ Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD.

• The talebearer uses flattery to gain the audience of strangers.    Proverbs 20:19 (AV) ¹⁹ He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.

Once a talebearer is identified, there is only one way to deal with him.  He must be removed from the situation.  A talebearer is not to be countered or argued with, he is to be ignored, shunned, and removed from the group he has chosen to vex.  Look at the simple truth.  If you want the fire to go out, you must remove the fuel the fire is using to exist. 

Proverbs 26:20–21 (AV)

²⁰ Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. ²¹ As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

The Apostle Paul gives us very clear direction regarding this matter. 

Romans 16:17 (AV)

¹⁷ Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

Once you have discovered who the talebearer is, you expose him to all and direct everyone to leave him alone.  The Bible tells us that we should not even eat with someone like this.  Let's be honest.  Fires rage in our churches, homes, marriages, and relationships because we are tintilated by the juicy gossip that this accuser has to offer.  He says "don't tell anyone but..."  An we lap it up like sweet necter.

Friends, the only way we can prevent the destruction that comes from the vicious fire of gossip is to remove the talebearer from our lives.  Yes that can be painful.  Once you realize that your once trusted friend is now a perpatrator of malignant rumor, you must cut off contact in order to stop the fire.  If we would follow this principle, church splits would be avoided, marriages would be saved, and our lives would be free from some unnecessary strife.  Remember, only YOU can prevent gossip fires.