A favorite broadcaster of mine was the late Paul Hardy with his "And that is the rest of the story." He would often take the half-truth of the day and dissect it and provide his listens with the rest of the story. Today we have gossips who spread dissension often with half-truths or half of the story. There are many of what I would call the "Ain't it awful people.” They complain about any and everything and expect you to agree with them. Often their comments are slanderous and by saying nothing I would commit the sin of omission. Being a rather analytical person I often counter their statements with unemotional facts and figures. This usually results in the "Ain't it awful" person searching for a more receptive audience.
The KJV uses the word talebearer rather than Gossip, with thanks to Strong's:
Gossip
G4691
σπερμολόγος
spermologos
sper-mol-og'-os
From G4690 and G3004; a seed picker (as the crow), that is, (figuratively) a sponger, loafer (specifically a gossip or trifler in talk): - babbler.
Talebearer
H5372
נרגּן
nirgân
neer-gawn'
From an unused root meaning to roll to pieces; a slanderer: - talebearer, whisperer.
Proverbs has much to say about gossips/ talebearers:
Proverbs 11:13, "A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter."
Proverbs 18:8, "The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly."
Proverbs 20:19, "He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips."
Proverbs 26:2, "Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth."
And in case I missed the point in Proverbs 18:8, there is Proverbs 26:22, "The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost partsf the belly."
I agree with CM that gossip is a form of betrayal and causes more personal pain and suffering than most of us have any appreciation of.
James warns us in James 1:19, "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:" and again in James 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain." And yet again in James 3:8, "But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison."
Gossip
G4691
σπερμολόγος
spermologos
sper-mol-og'-os
From G4690 and G3004; a seed picker (as the crow), that is, (figuratively) a sponger, loafer (specifically a gossip or trifler in talk): - babbler.
Talebearer
H5372
נרגּן
nirgân
neer-gawn'
From an unused root meaning to roll to pieces; a slanderer: - talebearer, whisperer.
Proverbs has much to say about gossips/ talebearers:
Proverbs 11:13, "A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter."
Proverbs 18:8, "The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly."
Proverbs 20:19, "He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips."
Proverbs 26:2, "Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth."
And in case I missed the point in Proverbs 18:8, there is Proverbs 26:22, "The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost partsf the belly."
I agree with CM that gossip is a form of betrayal and causes more personal pain and suffering than most of us have any appreciation of.
James warns us in James 1:19, "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:" and again in James 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain." And yet again in James 3:8, "But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison."
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