Church Killers - Pt. 2

Psst, did your hear about ______________ and what they did with _________________? You will never believe what happened! Did you see what she was wearing? It must be true I heard it from ________________.




 As we continue our look at actions that are detrimental to the life of a church, we cannot ignore the destructive power of the tongue. James paints a vivid picture in the following passage:

James 3:6-8 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. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
 
The tongue is likened to a wild animal that cannot be tamed. It is also compared to a raging fire that possesses enormous destructive powers. Many of us have been a victim of the deadly influences of this potentially damaging part of our body. Sadly, we have oftentimes been quick to engage our own tongues in negative communications as well.

 
Gossip has been a particular cancer upon the church for many generations. I have witnessed this baseless practice drive individuals, families and huge groups of people away from the church. So, what constitutes gossip? Simply stated it is any communication about another individual that: 1. you would not say to them directly 2. is not uplifting or edifying. We might not think that such communications are not harmful and even humorous, but the passage above proves otherwise. It is like a raging fire or a wild animal! A thoughtless comment to one person about another individual has the potential to spread/burn  like a wildfire. My experience is that the initial comments can become exaggerated and more slanderous as they pass 'through the grapevine' of gossip and harm many in its wake.
 
Here are some other scriptural references to consider:
 
2 Cor 12:20  For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:
 
Paul feared that the Corinthian church would revert back to worldly behaviors that included backbiting and whisperings, both synonymous with gossip. What was his desire for the church? He wanted them to be built up or edified, not torn down by gossip!
 
In another passage, Paul lists gossip as a behavior of the Gentiles of old who are in gross rebellion against God. It also significant to note the worthy punishment of those engaging in such behavior
 
Romans 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
 
Gossip is no laughing matter, especially in the church of the Lord Jesus Christ! We must always remember that we are dealing with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Malicious use of the tongue is the antithesis of righteousness and faithfulness. It is nothing more that the product of a corrupt mind that causes hurt, anger, stirs up trouble and fractures relationships among the Lord's people.
 
So, what is the solution? We would do well to remember granny's advice... If you have nothing nice to say, keep your mouth closed. We do less harm if we exercise extreme caution before we say anything about another individual.
 
James 1:19-20 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
 
It is an excellent practice before we say anything about another individual to consider whether or not our words are meant to build up or tear down. We should also think about how our words will be perceived by another person. If there is a potential for hurt feelings, then we ought not speak the words to others. Perhaps more good would come from conversing with an individual directly rather than speaking to a third party. If the pattern of Matthew 18 were followed instead of gossip, how many misunderstandings and hurt feelings would be avoided?
 
Jesus stated that a house divided against itself shall not stand. This is especially true for the visible church of the Lord Jesus Christ. We need to labor to communicate those things which lead to the building up and strengthening of our fellow saints. Sometimes confrontation is unavoidable. But it should always be done in accordance with scripture and with much love an charity. This will never occur though the malicious use of the tongue and gossip!  God strengthen us to cast away this destructive habit. The life of our local church depends on it!
 

"Gossip: Something that goes in one ear, out the other and back over the fence." -anonymous