The Undercurrent of Verbal Poison ra ̂ ki ̂ yl – רכיל 7400 -Talebearer-- ra ̂ ki ̂ yl – רכיל 7400 - 1) slander, slanderer, tale bearer, informer – (Part

The Undercurrent of Verbal Poison

• Talebearer--rakiylrakiyl – – 1 - - 74007400 רכילרכיל ) slander, slanderer, tale bearer, informer – (Part of speech: noun masculine) Brown Driver Briggs – “You shall not go about as a

talebearer among your people; nor shall you take a stand against the life of your neighbor: I am the LORD.” {Leviticus 19:16}

Bible Words for Gossip

• Talebearer--nirgan, - H5372 –H5372 – נרגןנרגן BDB BDB definition: 1) to murmur, whisper - 1a) definition: 1) to murmur, whisper - 1a) murmurers 1b) backbite, slander, talebearer, murmurers 1b) backbite, slander, talebearer, backbiter backbiter (Part of speech: noun masculine)(Part of speech: noun masculine)

Brown Driver BriggsBrown Driver Briggs – “The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles,

and they go down into the inmost body.” {Proverbs 18:8}



• Reveals--galah, - Hebrew 1540, gaw-law'; a Hebrew 1540, gaw-law'; a primitive root; to denude (especially in a primitive root; to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); advertise, disclose, disgraceful sense); advertise, disclose, discover, open, publish, reveal, tell, uncover. discover, open, publish, reveal, tell, uncover. (Part of speech: verb) Strong’s(Part of speech: verb) Strong’s – “A talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a

faithful spirit conceals a matter..” {Proverbs 11:13}



• Busybody--periergazomai - 4020periergazomai - 4020 periergazomai periergazomai –– DefinitionDefinition:: 11) to bustle about ) to bustle about uselessly, to busy one’s self about trifling, uselessly, to busy one’s self about trifling, needless, useless matters 1a) used apparently needless, useless matters 1a) used apparently of a person officiously inquisitive about of a person officiously inquisitive about another’s affairsanother’s affairs - - Part of speech: verbPart of speech: verb ((Thayer)Thayer)– “For we hear that there are some who walk

among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies.” {2 Thessalonians 3:11}



• Busybody--Periergos - 4021 periergov - 1) Periergos - 4021 periergov - 1) busy about trifles and neglectful of important busy about trifles and neglectful of important matters 1a) esp. busy about other folks’ affairs, matters 1a) esp. busy about other folks’ affairs, a busybody. 1b) of things: impertinent and a busybody. 1b) of things: impertinent and superfluous - Part of speech: adjectivesuperfluous - Part of speech: adjective ((Thayer)Thayer)

– “And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.”{1 Timothy 5:13}



• Busybody-- allotriepiskopos - 244 allotriepiskopos - 244 allotriepiskopov allotriepiskopov 1) one who takes the supervision of affairs pertaining to others and in no wise to himself, a meddler in other men’s affairs - Part of speech: noun masculine (Thayer)– “But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief,

an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters.” {1 Peter 4:15}



• Tattler– (Gossips NKJV) (Gossips NKJV) phluaros—5397 fluarov fluarov floo’-ar-osfloo’-ar-os 1) Of persons uttering or doing silly things, garrulous, babbling. 2) of things, foolish, trifling, vain—Part of speech: adjective-(Thayer)– “And besides they learn to be idle, wandering

about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.” {1 Timothy 5:13}



• Gossip (WordNet 2.0) (WordNet 2.0)1. Light informal conversation for social occasions . . .

2. A report (often malicious) about the behavior of other people;

3. A person given to gossiping and divulging personal information about others v 1: wag one's tongue; speak about others and

reveal secrets or intimacies;


How to Identify Gossip

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Some Questions to Ask:Some Questions to Ask:Is it true and complete?Is it true and complete?Is it harmful or helpful?Is it harmful or helpful?Does it ignite evil suspicion or inspire Does it ignite evil suspicion or inspire

solutions?solutions?Is it necessary?Is it necessary?Is it kind, or at least Is it kind, or at least

appropriate and needed?appropriate and needed?



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It Is Not a Sin to:It Is Not a Sin to:Repeat good things.

(Matthew 11:4)Talk about how we can help a particular

person. (Colossians 4:10)Tell others about a person’s sin, if you first

go to the sinner, and he does not receive you. (Matthew 18:15-17)



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It is Not a Sin to:It is Not a Sin to:

Warn others about a person’s evil character. (Ephesians 5:11)

Expose false teachers and warn others of their error. (Romans 16:17)



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• Idleness—1 Timothy 5:13• Thoughtlessness—Philippians 2:4• Cowardice—Matthew 18:15• Jealousy and envy—1 Corinthians 3:3

Gossiping is an acquired trait!(gossips learn by doing…1 Timothy 5:13)


The Making of Gossip

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• Hatred—Psalm 109:3• Unjust anger—Proverbs 15:18 • Discontent—1 Corinthians 10:10• Personal problems—Matthew 5:23,24

Gossiping is an acquired trait!(gossips learn by doing…1 Timothy 5:13)



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• Can destroy a person’s good name— Proverbs 22:1• Can sever close friendships— Proverbs 16:28• Can destroy a happy home— Proverbs 18:8• Can destroy peaceful, loving, working churches—Galatians 5:15



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• The words of a talebearer are seeds of discord.

• They cause division.

• They break down rather than build up.


A Sower of Discord

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• The talebearer’s words bring reproach to the name of Christ.

• They go down deep into a person’s soul.

• Strife and bitterness are their fruit.


A Sower of Discord

A Sower of Discord

• Talented—Absalom 2 Samuel 15

• Selfish and self-willed—2 Timothy 3:2

• Loves preeminence— 3 John 9-11

• Insatiable need to be noticed— Matthew 6:1-6

• Easily angered— James 1:19,20

• Has ulterior motives— Acts 24:26

• Uses others as dupes— 2 Samuel 15:11

• Sets men at odds— Proverbs 16:28

All Attributes Not Present in Every Divisive Person

A Sower of Discord

• Must be petted, pampered and praised—Judges 8:1-3

• Notes personal slights and enlarges them— 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

• Resents criticism— James 3:16

• Is dissatisfied, tormented (but keeps it hidden)— 1 Timothy 6:6

• Troubled home and family— Ephesians 6:4

• Is a flatterer— Jude 16

All Attributes Not Present in Every Divisive Person

“These six things the LORD hates; yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.” Proverbs 6:16-19


• Talebearers, busybodies, and tattlers (gossips) are sinners!

• How do we stop gossip?– Don’t be a gossiper; ”bridle your tongue”—

James 1:26– Don’t listen to gossip; quench the demand by

not taking up a reproach against your neighbor—Proverbs 17:4


• Talebearers, busybodies, and tattlers (gossips) are sinners!

• How do we stop gossip?– Don’t keep company with gossipers—

2 Thessalonians 3:11-14– Correct gossipers—

2 Timothy 2:25


Documents

The Undercurrent of Verbal Poison ra ̂ ki ̂ yl – רכיל 7400 -Talebearer-- ra ̂ ki ̂ yl – רכיל 7400 - 1) slander, slanderer, tale bearer, informer – (Part