Crack Down on Gossip

When the newly elected Pope Francis declared that the Vatican had become a
hotbed of intrigue and power struggles, he instructed his policemen at the
Vatican to “crack down on gossip” within the walls of the holy city. He
defined gossip as “the devil’s work, a forbidden language, and a war waged
with the tongue.” He told the gendarmes gathered for mass that day to tell
gossipers they catch in the act, “Here there can be none of that!”

“Good for him!” I thought to myself as I read this news report. It made me
consider how deadly gossip can be for any church or ministry. The Bible
references a gossiper as a backbiter, busybody, slanderer, talebearer, and
whisperer. Gossip spreads rumors or secrets, speaking about someone
maliciously behind their back or repeating something about someone else
that you have no right to repeat. A gossiper is a person who has
privileged information about people and proceeds to reveal that
information to those who have no business knowing it.

Lest we think the Vatican is the only place where gossip exists, don’t be
fooled. Gossip is in your church, ministry, city, neighborhood, in your
home, and of far greater significance, in your own heart and sometimes
even on your lips. Are you willing to declare such an admission? Does it
bother you enough to do something about it?

Pope Francis sees the problem and wants it eradicated from his church. His
leadership reminds me of St. Benedict, who in the year 500 AD sought to do
likewise among his followers, reminding them that at times “a little
strictness” of discipline among the brethren will be enforced in order to
“safeguard love” in the community. What the pope is doing today is
exercising “a little strictness” by asking his Vatican police to hold the
faithful to a higher standard of love and cease any form of gossip.

The Bible is replete with detailed reminders about the damaging affects of
gossip. “A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close
friends” (Prov. 16:28). “Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets,
but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered” (Prov. 11:13)
therefore, do not associate with a simple babbler (Prov. 20:19). “As
charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for
kindling strife” (Prov. 26:20). Other places to consider: Psalms 41:7;
Prov. 25:23; Rom. 1: 28-32; 2 Cor. 12:20; 1 Tim. 3:9-11, 5: 13-14; 2 Tim.
3:1-5…just to name a few more.

Any words that come out of an untamed tongue are likened to a feather
pillow, opened and released from a window on a windy day…free to roam as
far as the wind will carry them, and nearly impossible to recollect back
into the pillow case. The damage of gossip is beyond control, outrageous
in the net negative effect upon all who are connected directly or
indirectly.

“A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends”
(Prov. 16:28). Many a friendship has been ruined by a misunderstanding
that began with gossip. Sadly, some people thrive on this and look for
opportunities to hurt or destroy the reputation of another, causing anger,
bitterness, and pain in relationships. To bring it to an end is a
challenge in many settings today. But certainly not impossible.

Some practical suggestions for avoiding gossip: don’t associate with those
you know to be a lover of gossip; when someone starts to gossip, quickly
change the subject to something more positive; stay as far away from
gossip as possible; if you’ve fallen into gossip, ask God to help
change your heart and redirect your mind and words; when you are a
victim of gossip, seek every way possible to lovingly confront the parties
spreading the rumor and cease it as swiftly as possible.

Bottom line…gossip is a matter of the heart. “A fool’s mouth is his
undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul” (Prov. 18:7). In fact
gossip is a blatant sin against God and one’s neighbor. Will you take up
the mantle of bold leadership among your community and seek to eradicate
it? Or, will you let it continue untamed in your midst? My simple
suggestion: it’s time to humbly, prayerfully, and firmly crack down on
gossip! I trust you agree.

SHARE THIS POST

Can't find what you're looking for?

Steve Macchia

Founder & President

The Rev. Dr. Stephen A. Macchia is founder and president of Leadership Transformations, Inc. (LTI), a ministry serving the spiritual formation, discernment, and renewal of leaders and learners since 2003. For more than 20 years he has been the Director of the Pierce Center for Disciple-Building at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where he also serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Doctor of Ministry Program. From 1989-2003 he was the president of Vision New England, the largest regional church renewal association in the country. Earlier in his ministry life, Steve was a member of the pastoral staff of Grace Chapel in Lexington, Massachusetts for 11 years. He is the author or co-author of 17 books, including The Discerning Life (Zondervan Reflective), and Crafting a Rule of Life, Becoming A Healthy Church (LTI), and Broken and Whole (IVP).  He and his wife Ruth live in the Boston (MA) area and are the proud parents of two married children and grandparents to three adorable grandchildren. Steve’s personal website is www.SteveMacchia.com.

My soul comes alive singing the great hymns of the church and enjoying the beauty of God’s creation. I’m in awe of God for fulfilling the dream for LTI that he birthed in my heart, for the team he has assembled, and the transformational impact experienced in the leaders and teams we serve.

Detailed Biography
Articles by Stephen Macchia
Author Website
Schedule a one-on-one with Steve

Fill out my online form.

Mitzi Mak

Selah-West Faculty & Emmaus Faculty

Mitzi started her professional life as a high school social studies teacher. She and her husband Jerry then served cross-culturally for ten+ years, living abroad first in India and then Kurdistan, N. Iraq. In addition to being a Spiritual Director, she now serves as a Formation and Care pastor in her local church in Houston, TX. She has graduated from LTI’s Selah Spiritual Direction training as well as LTI’s Emmaus Formational Leadership Program.

Mitzi enjoys engaging conversation, reading fiction, doing jigsaw/crossword puzzles, ocean gazing and exploring the world with Jerry through food and travel.

God has two main callings in Mitzi’s life: to care for those who care for others and to be a guide in helping others have a healthy relationship with the Trinity – recognizing God’s loving presence and activity in their lives and how to faithfully respond.

Selah was a transformative experience for me – allowing the contemplative within to emerge and to beautifully co-exist with my extraverted personality.