IDLE WORDS

Gossip is an emphasized fault in scripture. It begins in the Leviticus Law and continues in the teaching of Jesus and letters of the New Testament. Gossip is literally different than a busybody or one who spreads rumors, it is someone who whispers or does secret slandering. A second definition is like “someone who practices the magical murmuring of a charmer of snakes” (Thayer’s Dictionary). A gossip is a sneaky, creepy, little tattletale going around spreading secretive slander, speaking malicious and harmful idle words.
The Book of Proverbs says, “A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.”
The apostle Paul writes to the Church of Rome, “They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and maliciousness. They are gossips.”
Will Rogers (1879-1935) actor, cowboy, humorist once wrote, “Try to live your life so that you wouldn’t be afraid to sell the family parrot to the town gossip.”

“But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the Day of Judgment.” Jesus