On Wednesday Night, Apr 15^th , we will discuss Gossip. Gossip is defined as “talking or spreading rumors of a personal or intimate nature about someone.” The Bible contains many verses that characterize gossip as a sin. Gossip is a daily temptation for all of us – because everyday we use words – and Proverbs 10:19 says “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise.

I read about a study conducted by the psychology department at the University of Texas (Austin) which found that both men and women speak about 15,000 words per day. It is difficult to imagine that if we talk that much – that all of those words can be truthful, factual, uplifting, and edifying.

Former Prime Minister of Britain, Benjamin Disraeli, once said “if everyone were straightforward in his opinion, there would be no conversation.” This is true. If all we did was answer “yes” or “no” to questions, there wouldn’t be much conversation. In order to have a conversation, we must share words. If you talk about yourself to much, you sound selfish and self-centered – so eventually the talk turns to other people that we know. If you only say “good” things about others, the conversation gets boring. Pretty soon the conversation turns to the problems, faults, and failures of others – and that’s the “Juicy” Part!  Proverbs 26:22 says “A gossip’s words are like choice food that goes down to one’s innermost being.”

The Question for the Evening: When do you cross the line from wholesome conversation to sinful gossip?  Let’s begin with a case study:

I recently read about a young pastor who came to his first church following seminary. He had only been in town a few months. One day one of the deacons from his church saw this young pastor coming out of a liquor store. Suppose you were this deacon,

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