Introduction: I want to begin by sharing a story that with you that I read this past week. It provides for us what I believe is the ________ CASE SCENERIO concerning a gossip case. G. Franklin Allee tells the following story: Sad Ending for Dakota Family

I. What is ___________?

Gossip defined: a person who habitually reveals personal or sensational _______ about others, ______ or report of an intimate nature, a chatty talk.

Other Names for those who Gossip

Dr. Woodrow Kroll, from Back to the Bible Ministries states that there are four words in Scripture that are used for those who gossip: (Write these down)

Author and conference speaker, Nancy Leigh DeMoss in her book, Lies Young Women Believe states that According to Scripture we gossip whenever we: (Write these down)

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Things we can talk about besides Gossip

II. How to ______ Gossip Much gossip is the dissemination of information, so watch out for the following ways in which information about others is shared with you.

A. Information about another person that should be _______.

Prov. 11:13 - “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.”

Prov. 20:19 - “A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much.”

B. Information about another person that comes to you in the form of a __________.

C. . Information about another person that comes to you in the form of

a heavy ________.

Proverbs 18:8 - “The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man’s inmost parts.”

D. Information about another person that presents them in a __________ manner.

Proverbs 10:18b - “And whoever spreads slander is a fool.”

E. Information about another person that comes in the form of a ________ request.

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Bible Characters that were Victims of Gossip:

III. Ways to Break Bad - ____________ Allow me to share with you some important ____ for BREAKING this BAD in our lives:

A. Acknowledge gossip as a _____ – Romans 1:32

Prov. 6:17-19, we are provided a list of seven sins that God hates – among the list are these: “A lying tongue”, “A false witness”, and “One who sows discord among brethren.”

B. Acknowledge that we will be held _________ for gossip – Matthew 12:36-37

Matthew 12:36-37 - “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

C. Acknowledge gossip’s _______ power – Prov. 25:18 “Telling lies about someone is as harmful as hitting him with an axe, or wounding him with a sword, or shooting him with a sharp arrow.” (NLT)

The Theology of the Tongue – James 3:5-6

“Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the

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whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.”

D. Acknowledge that gossip ___________ you as a spiritual leader – I Tim. 3:11; James 3:2

E. Acknowledge that you can be _________ over gossip – Prov. 26:20

“Where there is no wood the fire goes out; and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.”

Conclusion: Have you been hurt by gossip? Have you hurt anyone? Victory is available today. The Bible says,

“MORE than conquerors through Christ who loved us.” (Roman 8:37).

“And you shall know the TRUTH, and the truth will make you free.” (John 8:32).

Here is the bottom line: Instead of taking to _______ about people, talk to God about ________, and talk to people about ________.

Pray for VICTORY: 1. Pray to ______ Jesus Christ as your Savior. 2. Pray to be ________ from the sin of gossip. 3. Pray to see _______ in all people. 4. Pray for a ________ that will exalt God and lift people up! 5. Pray that God will set a _________ over your tongue (Psa. 141:3).

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