And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them. Romans 1:28-32
Each day brings new blessings from the Lord. Each day provides new opportunities to demonstrate your faith. Each day will likely also provide challenges that will attempt to undermine both His blessings and our faith.
The Bible speaks repeatedly about the consequences of a slanderous and gossiping spirit. Psalm 101:5 for example informs us that:
Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, him I will destroy; No one who has a haughty look and an arrogant heartwill I endure.
In that passage, God says the slander is proud (haughty) and arrogant. God stands opposed to the proud and arrogant. Indeed, God says He will destroy the one who allows slanderous words to escape his lips.
Here is another passage that speaks clearly about the seriousness with which we must consider the words we say about other people.
May a slanderer not be established in the earth; May evil hunt the violent man speedily. Psalm 140:11
The person who traffics in gossip and slander will not be able to have a firmly established life and by extension faith in God because he practices the wickedness of gossip and slander. Psalm 140 was written by King David. The larger context of this Psalm is even more revealing. Here are verses 1-10.
Rescue me, O Lord, from evil men;
Preserve me from violent men
Who devise evil things in their hearts;
They continually stir up wars.
They sharpen their tongues as a serpent;
Poison of a viper is under their lips. Selah.
Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked;
Preserve me from violent men
Who have purposed to trip up my feet.
The proud have hidden a trap for me, and cords;
They have spread a net by the wayside;
They have set snares for me. Selah.
I said to the Lord, “You are my God;
Give ear, O Lord, to the voice of my supplications.
“O God the Lord, the strength of my salvation,
You have covered my head in the day of battle.
“Do not grant, O Lord, the desires of the wicked;
Do not promote his evil device, that they not be exalted. Selah.
As for the head of those who surround me,
May the mischief of their lips cover them.
“May burning coals fall upon them;
May they be cast into the fire,
Into deep pits from which they cannot rise.
David says that those who gossip about and slander others are evil, violent, devise evil, which means that the intention of their gossip and slander is to harm the subject of their speech; they stir up wars, which means strife, they have tongues as sharp as serpents, and that their speech is poisonous as a viper.
Fittingly, David asks God to turn the “mischief of their lips” back upon those who gossip about and slander others. David then asks God to lead them to repentance, which is the meaning of “May burning coals fall on their head.” Absent repentance, judgment awaits them all.
Having been in ministry now for thirty-five years, I’ve seen more than I wish of gossippers and slanderers. I adopted a policy years ago that has served me well. That policy is that I personally will not respond to gossips and slanderers. I refuse to defend myself against the evil of an unbridled tongue. This has several positive benefits.
First and foremost, this allows God to be my defender. In the midst of attacks, we must remember that God is our defense and shield, a very present help in time of need. Psalm 46:1 reminds us that:
God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Second, it reminds us that all of life is spiritual warfare. Because life is spiritual warfare, the Bible tells us that the weapons that we fight this war with are not of our own choosing nor are they earthly.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
This realization of the reality of life, while a benefit, carries with it several dangerous and difficult implications. Gossip and slander are most often the manifestations of unclean spirits oppressing and influencing believers. There are many demonic manifestations associated with the tongue beyond gossip and slander. Some of those are lying, criticism, and exaggeration.
Unbelievers might even be possessed of demons. No one is immune from being the target of gossips and slanderers. The apostle Paul knew the sting of the wicked mouth and tongue.
And why not say (as we are slanderously reported and as some claim that we say), “Let us do evil that good may come”? Their condemnation is just. Romans 3:8
Their condemnation is just indeed. When gossips and slanderers spread their poison they are being used as pawns in demonic warfare against the brethren and this leads to strife and division. We are warned against that activity in several passages of Scripture.
Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. Romans 16:17-18
There are six things which the Lord hates,
Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him:
Haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
And hands that shed innocent blood,
A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that run rapidly to evil,
A false witness who utters lies,
And one who spreads strife among brothers. Proverbs 6:16-19
He who speaks truth tells what is right,
But a false witness, deceit.
There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword,
But the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Truthful lips will be established forever,
But a lying tongue is only for a moment.
Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
But counselors of peace have joy.
No harm befalls the righteous,
But the wicked are filled with trouble.
Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
But those who deal faithfully are His delight. Proverbs 12:17-22
The one who guards his mouth preserves his life;
The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. Proverbs 13:3
A worthless man digs up evil,
While his words are like scorching fire.
A perverse man spreads strife,
And a slanderer separates intimate friends. Proverbs 16:27-28
When you participate in gossip and/or slander, whether you are speaking the words or listening to another speak them, you are giving access to unclean spirits to come into your life. To make matters even worse, when you carry that gossip or slander to another person you are making them a target of demonic oppression.
In a sense, gossiping or slandering other people is a form of cursing them. This is so because the words spoken about another are used by unclean spirits to launch an attack against the unsuspecting target. Sadly, the damage goes much deeper than just the target. James 3:6 says that “And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.” Take note of the highlighted words – the entire body is defiled when gossip and slander are allowed free reign.
Many Christians believe that they can gossip about or slander other people and get away with it. They often do so under the general disclaimer of “Did you hear about Pastor Mike?” They are so deceived that they think they are just sharing news, and everybody knows this already so it isn’t gossip, right? Or, “Hey, we need to pray for Pastor Mike because he (fill in the blank with your gossip).”
Here is what Jesus said:
“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:33-37
This passage highlights a third benefit associated with allowing God to defend your character and reputation. That benefit is that in time, gossipers and slanderers will be revealed for their wickedness. Gossiping and slandering other believers says much more about the one speaking and even the one listening than it does about the one being slandered.
As a pastor, I am quick to shut down negative talk about others and do not entertain conversations that can be characterized as gossip or slander. Some people don’t like that because they are accustomed to satisfying their flesh with the “juicy details” about a situation. Christians must discipline themselves to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and refuse to allow the devil a foothold in their life in the area of gossip and slander. Believers are most certainly responsible for every word they speak. Jesus said “But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified and by your words, you will be condemned.”
If you find yourself in disagreement with another Christian then the best thing to do is go to that brother or sister and have a conversation. When you do that you will hear what you are very likely not hearing from those who spend their time gossiping and slandering. Isn’t it better to keep your own house in order before the Lord than to participate in activities the Bible condemns?
God will always reveal what evil wants to keep hidden. Refusing to participate in speaking ill about others will allow God to move and work in your life to bring healing where it is needed. Trust God for your defense. He is a strong tower!
Pastor Mike
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