Answers

In my previous post I asked a bunch of questions about gossip. Here is what I have come up with thus far.

We know that it is never okay to gossip. The Bible talks about this in numerous places. (Check out Matthew 15:10-11... this is my favorite verse on this topic)

Ephesians 5:11 says do not take part in the unfruitful works of the darkness (for context read 5:6-12). This clearly means we should never join in the conversation in any way. Okay so far so good. Now what?

Proverbs 20:19 says who ever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefor do not associate with a simple babbler. Does this mean that we should walk away?

Yes, I think we should walk away. Here's why:

James 1:27 says ...keep oneself unstained from the world (for context read 1:26-27). How are we to stay unstained from the world if we are allowing ourselves to hear malicious attacks on other people. If we are listening to gossip we are listening to things of this world. Proverbs 26:22 says the words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body (read 26:20-23 for more info). If this is true, and I believe it is because it is in the Bible, than how can we listen to gossip and not have it infect us? It goes down into the inner parts of our body... do I really want the Holy Spirit inside of me to be exposed to the words of a "whisperer"?

Just as, if not more, important than what is said above is this: where is are focus when people gossip and where is our focus supposed to be? Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things (Philippians 4:8). Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth (Colossians 3:2). If we stand there and listen to the gossip that is being spoken, whether we participate in the conversation or not, we are not putting our focus on what we are supposed to be focusing on. If we listen, we are setting our minds on things of this earth, not things that are above. Listening to gossip is as bad as taking part in gossip because we lose focus, thus being tempted to sin. And we all know what the Bible says about that in Matthew 18 - if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away.

One last thought. As Christians we are called to be salt to the earth and a light of the world (Matthew 5:13-16). If we are listening to gossip without making it clear that we don't want any part of those conversations we are not being a light to the world. Instead, by not walking away we are making ourselves just like everyone else on this earth. We are almost condoning that kind of behavior and that is one of the last things we should want as Christians. How can we be an example of Christ if we don't stand out from the nonbelievers?