Often gossip is shared in pseudospiritual forms like a prayer request. “Pray for Bob as he tries to get back on the wagon again.” “What? We didn’t know he fell off!” And the conversation quickly deteriorates. Whether in a Sunday school room or Starbucks, word spreads quickly.

Building Bridges?

Just because you know something to be true doesn’t mean it needs to be shared. That’s true even about your own life. Sometimes we think we need to confess all our sin publicly in order to get right with God and others. Actually, it’s best to confess sin only as publicly as you commit it. If you only sinned against one, you don’t need to share that with an entire group.

Sharing the struggles of others without their permission makes it very hard for them to return to the group. More than one guy has changed churches after seeing information he shared in confidence spread all over the Internet—or the church. Information shared inappropriately doesn’t build bridges; it burns them.

Bottom Line

Gossip in any form hurts others and dishonors God.