“None of you, however, should suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a meddler” (1 Peter 4:15 HCSB).
The Biblical books of Psalms and Proverbs offer a wealth of practical insight regarding 1 Peter 4:15 and those who assume the role of “…a troublesome meddler interfering in the affairs of others (AMP)…
“Gossip is spread by wicked people; they stir up trouble and break up friendships” (Proverbs 16:28 GW).
“The words of a whisperer or slanderer are like dainty morsels or words of sport [to some, but to others are like deadly wounds]; and they go down into the innermost parts of the body [or of the victim’s nature]” (Proverbs 26:22 AMPC).
“Anyone who spreads gossip will be silenced, and no one who is conceited will be my friend” (Psalm 101:5 CEV).
Proverbs 26:20 adopts a fitting word picture to convey a similar warning…
“Where there is no fuel a fire goes out; where there is no gossip arguments come to an end” (CEV).
This illustration highlights our text from 1 Peter 4:15, especially when we consider the essentials that are necessary to light a fire. Those constituent elements are oxygen, fuel, and an ignition source. With these things in mind, we can easily link the elements of gossip with the components that are necessary to ignite a fire…
- The first element of gossip is information (or speculation). This assumes the role of oxygen in our analogy.
- A busybody with access to that information serves as the potential fuel source.
- Gossip then ignites when the person who possesses the information relays it to others.
The fastest way to quell the flames of a fire is to deprive it of fuel or oxygen. In like manner, the fastest way to extinguish gossip involves a similar approach: don’t take part in gossip and don’t encourage others to do so.
Finally, we can differentiate between legitimate information-sharing and gossip with a few important questions…
- Is the information gratuitous?
- Is the information helpful?
- Will the information be shared with a legitimate spiritual authority who can provide Biblical counsel?
- Will the information serve to tear another person down or build that person up?
These questions can help us follow Jesus’ warning from the Gospel of Matthew…
“A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you” (Matthew 12:35-37 NLT).