Gossip

Lev 19:11 You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another.

:12 And you shall not swear by My name falsely, nor shall you profane the name of your God: I am the Lord.

:13 You shall not cheat your neighbor, nor rob him. The wages of him who is hired shall not remain with you all night until morning.

:14 You shall not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling block before the blind, but shall fear your God: I am the Lord.

:15 You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty. In righteousness you shall judge your neighbor.

:16 You shall not go about as a talebearer among your people; nor shall you take a stand against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord.

:17 You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him.

:18 You shall not take nor bear vengeance, any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

God has a zero-tolerance for gossip.

1.       It betrays confidence.

Pr 11:13 A talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.

2.       Separates close friends.

Pr 16:28 A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends.

Pr 17:9 He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates friends.

3.       Shames and saddles you with a bad reputation.

Pr 25:9 Debate your case with your neighbor, and do not disclose the secret to another;

:10 lest he who hears it expose your shame, and your reputation be ruined.

4.       Fuels the embers of a quarrel.

Pr 26:20 Where there is no wood, the fire goes out: and where there is no tolerance, strife ceases.

:21 As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood is to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

:22 The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, and they go down into the inmost body.

People can rarely undo the damage their untrue words have done to a friend.