may or may not contain elements of truth, but their veracity is
anyone's guess—rumors carry no factual certainty. Rumors are also
known as gossip, and the Bible has a lot to say about that.
Scripture warns against spreading rumors and those who engage in
gossip. Proverbs 20:19 says, "A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid
anyone who talks too much." Words are powerful. They can build up or
destroy (Proverbs 18:21). James 3:2–12 instructs us to control our
words, stating in verse 5: "Consider what a great forest is set on
fire by a small spark." Spreading "harmless" rumors, then, can cause
great destruction. God desires that we use our words to praise Him
(Psalm 34:1), to speak wisdom (Proverbs 10:13), and to encourage and
edify each other (1 Thessalonians 5:11; Ephesians 4:29).
The Bible often includes gossip in lists of specific evils (e.g., 2
Corinthians 12:20; Romans 1:29). Spreading rumors is so repulsive in
the Lord's sight that He made a prohibition against it in the Law He
gave to the Israelites (Leviticus 19:16). First Timothy 5:13 sternly
warns against using idle time to spread slander. And Proverbs 17:4
implies that those who eagerly listen to gossip have low character.
So why do we enjoy the rumor mill? Proverbs 26:22 gives one reason:
"The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the
inmost parts." There is a delicious thrill in hearing scandalous
information about someone we know or wish we knew. Jealousy is often
the root of spreading rumors. When we learn "the real reason" someone
did something, we can alter our opinion of him or her and make
ourselves feel better by comparison. We rarely hear rumors that exalt
someone's reputation. We don't hear rumors that someone's son worked
hard to make the honor roll again, a friend's spouse is kind and
devoted, or that the Joneses saved for ten years to take that luxury
cruise. That kind of information is not a "choice morsel." Instead, we
perk up when we hear that someone's son cheated his way onto the honor
roll, that a friend's spouse only pretends to be kind and devoted
because he is having an affair, or that the Joneses blew their
retirement to take that luxury cruise. Those kinds of tidbits let us
compare ourselves favorably with the ones gossiped about, and we feel
more satisfied with our own lives.
In Christian circles, spreading rumors has an ally in the guise of the
"prayer chain." Prayer chains are ways that local churches inform
other members of prayer needs within that body. They can be useful if
the information shared is general knowledge and those informed will
truly pray. However, many times prayer chains become excuses for
speculation and rumor as the story grows with each telling. A prayer
chain can become a real-life example of the party game "Telephone,"
with the last person on the prayer chain receiving information that
bears little resemblance to the original request. When this happens,
it is nothing more than spreading rumors and can be destructive to
individuals and churches.
Proverbs 26:20 gives us the antidote for spreading rumors: "Without
wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down." We cannot
stop all rumors, but we can refuse to participate in them. We can
break the "telephone" chain and refuse to pass it on. When we hear
slanderous news, we should go to the source and check it out. If we
are not part of the solution, and the person we are telling is not
part of the solution, then the news is not ours to propagate. Our
sinful natures enjoy possessing a juicy morsel of information that
would gain us attention in the telling. But when we are willing to
recognize the selfishness of that desire, we can repent of it and
dedicate our mouths to the glory of God (Psalm 19:14).
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