BIBLE TOPICS

Lies, Gossip, and Complaining

Our frustrations, fears, and boredom come out in our speech. Lies, gossip, and complaining show what's in our hearts. James even says the tongue is the hardest muscle to tame. What can we do about it?

Day One: Gossip
The Hebrew word translated "gossip" in the Old Testament is defined as "one who reveals secrets, one who goes about as a talebearer or scandal-monger." 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...
Read More

For more, see "What does the Bible say about spreading rumors?"

Day Two: False Accusations
Regarding false accusations, the psalmist says, "For they do not speak peace, but against those who are quiet in the land they devise words of deceit" (Psalm 35:20). This is an accurate description of the motives and results of false accusations...
Read More

For more, see "The Conspiracies of Chicken Little"

Day Three: Complaining
The Greek word translated "complainer" means literally "one who is discontented with his lot in life." It is akin to the word grumbler. Complaining is certainly not a fruit of the Spirit and, in fact, is detrimental to the peace, joy, and patience that come from the Spirit...
Read More

Day Four: White Lies
We know lying is a sin (Leviticus 19:11; Proverbs 12:22). But what about those "little white lies" that involve an ever-so-slight stretching of the truth? Do the small lies matter, or are they harmless? What if telling the truth might hurt someone?...
Read More

Day Five: Satire and Sarcasm
Sarcasm is the use of irony (saying one thing while meaning another) or other rhetorical devices in a biting, hurtful way. There is a difference between sarcasm and satire, although they are related. Satire is the use of irony or ridicule to expose foolishness, but without the "bite" of sarcasm...
Read More

For more, see "Sarcasm, Satire, and the Christian"

Day Six: False Witness
Bearing false witness is mentioned many times in the Bible, exclusively as something bad. "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" is the ninth of the Ten Commandments that Moses brought back with him from his encounter with God on Mount Sinai..
Read More

Image Credit: Baruska; untitled; Creative Commons