Which Can Harm The Congregation Most?

Switchblade

Gun Poison

Whip Branding Iron

It can stab in the back better than any switchblade

It can kill better than any gunIt can choke out life quicker than any

poisonIt can sting and bite and hurt deeper than

any whipAnd it can leave scars that will last longer

than any branding iron

Which Can Harm The Congregation Most?

Switchblade

Gun Poison

Whip Branding Iron

What is it?It can stab brethren in the back better than

any switch bladeIt can kill the enthusiasm of the congregation

better than any gunIt can choke out the influence of the church quicker

than any poisonIt can sting and bite and hurt God’s people deeper

than any whipAnd it can leave scars that will last longer than any

from a branding iron

GOSSIP

Jas.3:1-10– “1 Be not many of you teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment. 2 For in many things we all stumble. If any stumbleth not in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also. 3 Now if we put the horses' bridles into their mouths that they may obey us, we turn about their whole body also. 4 Behold, the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by rough winds, are yet turned about by a very small rudder, whither the impulse of the steersman willeth. 5 So the tongue also is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how

small a fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire: the world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the wheel of nature, and is set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beasts and birds, of creeping things and things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed by mankind. 8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is a restless evil, it is full of deadly poison. 9 Therewith bless we the Lord and Father; and therewith curse we men, who are made after the likeness of God: 10 out of the same mouth cometh forth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.”

Matt.12:36,37– “36 And I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”

1 Tim.5:13– “And withal they learn also to be idle, going about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.”

GOSSIPWhat is it?

Strong’s– "to be a babbler or trifler, to berate idly or mischievously, prate against, garrulous person, prater,

tattler"

Thayer– the root word means “to boil up, throw up bubbles, of water; and

since bubbles are hollow and useless things, 'to indulge in empty and

foolish talk’.”

Another form of the word: "to utter nonsense, talk idly, prate ... to bring

forward idle accusations, make empty charges."

It WoundsProv.18:8– “The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.”Spurgeon said, “Tale-bearing emits a threefold poison; for it injures the teller, the hearer and the person concerning whom the tale is told.”

GOSSIPIt is Dangerous!

It Separates FriendsProv.17:9– “He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; But he that harpeth on a matter separateth chief friends.”Prov.16:28– “A perverse man scattereth abroad strife; And a whisperer separateth chief friends.”

GOSSIPIt is Dangerous!

It Creates StrifeProv.16:27,28– “27 A worthless man deviseth mischief; And in his lips there is as a scorching fire. 28 A perverse man scattereth abroad strife; And a whisperer separateth chief friends.”Prov.26:20,21– “20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. 21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.”

GOSSIPIt is Dangerous!

It Creates StrifeProv.25:23– “The north wind bringeth forth rain: So doth a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.”

GOSSIPIt is Dangerous!

It EnsnaresProv.18:7– “A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.”

GOSSIPIt is Dangerous!

It Can Discourage The RighteousGossip many times can make a saint to be in despair and become ineffective in a local churchWhen this happens to elders, often they resign

1 Tim.5:19– “Against an elder receive not an accusation, except at the mouth of two or three witnesses.”

GOSSIPIt is Dangerous!

Phil.4:8,9– “8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 The things which ye both learned and received and heard and saw in me, these things do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”

GOSSIPHow To Curtail Gossip

We must PURIFY our heartsLk.6:45– “The good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth that which is evil: for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.”1 Pet.1:22– “Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another from the heart fervently:”

GOSSIPHow To Curtail Gossip

We must Properly Measure Self2 Cor.10:12– “For we are not bold to number or compare ourselves with certain of them that commend themselves: but they themselves, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding.”

GOSSIPHow To Curtail Gossip

Put Away IdlenessRom.13:11-14– “11 And this, knowing the season, that already it is time for you to awake out of sleep: for now is salvation nearer to us than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, and the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. …”

GOSSIPHow To Curtail Gossip

Cut Down on WordsProv.17:27– “He that spareth his words hath knowledge; And he that is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.”Prov.10:19– “In the multitude of words there wanteth not transgression; But he that refraineth his lips doeth wisely.”

GOSSIPHow To Curtail Gossip

Put it to the TestAsk yourself these questions:

Is it true?Will it do good to tell it?Will it help the person overcome

their sin?Have I fulfilled my responsibility to the Lord to FIRST talk with my sinful brother/sister to try and bring them to repentance?

GOSSIPHow To Curtail Gossip

GOSSIP

Psa.141:3,4– “3 Set a watch, O Jehovah, before my mouth; Keep the door of my lips. 4 Incline not my heart to any evil thing, To practise deeds of wickedness With men that work iniquity: And let me not eat of their dainties.”