Always Remember: The Nature of Rumors and Gossip by Olukayode J Daniels

Always Remember: The Nature of Rumors and Gossip

Rumors are often used as weapons by those who harbor envy or malice. The Bible warns against spreading false information and calls for wisdom in handling what we hear.

1. Rumors Are Fabricated by Haters

• Psalm 109:2-3 – "For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue. They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause."
  → Haters often spread falsehoods out of envy, malice, or resentment.

• Proverbs 6:16-19 – "These six things doth the Lord hate... a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren."
  → God detests those who create lies and stir up division through falsehood.

• John 8:44 – "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."
  → The devil is the source of all lies, and those who fabricate rumors act under his influence.

2. Rumors Are Carried by the Ignorant

• Proverbs 18:13 – "He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him."
  → Those who spread rumors without verifying facts expose their ignorance.

• Proverbs 20:19 – "He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips."
  → Gossipers lack wisdom and should be avoided.

• 1 Timothy 5:13 – "And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not."
  → Many who spread rumors have nothing better to do, making gossip their occupation.

3. Rumors Are Spread by Fools

• Proverbs 10:18 – "He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool."
  → Those who spread false accusations lack wisdom and understanding.

• Ecclesiastes 10:13-14 – "The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness. A fool also is full of words."
  → A fool is quick to speak and spread information without discernment.

• Proverbs 26:20 – "Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth."
  → Those who carry rumors fuel unnecessary conflicts.

4. Rumors Are Accepted by the Foolish and the Gullible

• Proverbs 14:15 – "The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going."
  → Wise people question what they hear, but the gullible accept everything without discernment.

• 2 Thessalonians 2:10-11 – "And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie."
  → Those who reject the truth are easily deceived by lies.

• Exodus 23:1 – "Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness."
  → Accepting and spreading rumors aligns one with wickedness.

Conclusion

Rumors are tools of destruction used by those who hate, blindly repeated by the ignorant, spread by fools, and accepted by the gullible. As believers, we are called to walk in wisdom, verify facts before believing or spreading them, and guard our tongues against idle talk.

Final Charge

• Ephesians 4:29 – "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers."