Kol Tzion (קוֹל צִיּוֹן)

Are you a gossiper? Are you aware that gossiping is a sin? It is the cleaver words of an evil tongue; the serpent's tongue. Can you identify its sneaky disguises? Gossip can be remarkably sneaky, disguising itself in all sorts of ways including concern and prayer requests. The serpent is crafty, y'all!!  Defining Gossip (Talebearing) Gossip, or talebearing, is a form of speech that spreads rumors or negative information about others. It can be a tempting indulgence, especially when we are unhappy, jealous, envious, miserable, pessimistic, seeking attention, or trying to fit in with a certain group. However, the Bible warns against gossip, emphasizing its harmful consequences. The Allure of Gossip Gossip has a seductive allure, offering a temporary thrill of being in the know and feeling connected to others through shared secrets. It can be a way to feel superior or to bond with others over perceived flaws or misfortunes of others. However, the negativity of gossip cannot be ove...

How many of you have ever been the victim of gossip? How many of you have gossiped about someone else? I have in both situations but no longer participate in this destructive behavior. It doesn't feel good when I am the target of gossip, therefore, I go out of my way to avoid others who gossip. I'm here today to talk about why gossiping is harmful and how we can all overcome it. Gossip, or talebearing, is a form of speech that spreads rumors or negative information about others. It can be a tempting indulgence, especially when we are unhappy, jealous, envious, miserable, pessimistic, seeking attention, or trying to fit in with a certain group. However, the Bible warns against gossip, emphasizing its harmful consequences.  Leviticus chapter 19 verse 16  commands, "You shall not go about as a slanderer among your people,” highlighting the destructive nature of spreading rumors and malicious information. Such actions not only damage the reputation of the victim but also erode...

Gossip, the act of sharing information about others that is not true or is meant to harm their reputation, is a common social behavior. What is so exciting or alluring about hearing negative or embarrassing information about another person? Could the answer be buried within our emotional or mental psyche? Is it because of jealousy, envy, low self-esteem, hatred, or misery? Regardless of the reason, gossiping is a sin and it is a behavior that GOD hates, and it manifests itself in a myriad of ways. Furthermore, gossip can also be disguised in ways that make it difficult to recognize.   Some of the most common disguises of gossip include: 1.  "Just keeping you informed":  This guise suggests you're doing the other person a favor by sharing information they "need" to know about another person. It implies that the information is important and that you have their best interests at heart. However, often the "information" is negative, speculative, or irreleva...