Proverbs 18:7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. 8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
The sin of tale bearing is one of the more common offenses that often goes unchecked, for it has become a part of the cultural fabric in the lives of very many people, and even Christians are not exempt from the withering effects of gossip, slander, evil surmising, and evil speaking. The sin is often indulged with much intensity, without us even being aware that The Holy Spirit of God is being grieved on account of the evil rumors and speeches that are spoken. As a general rule of thumb, if we do not have anything good to say about someone, it is always better left unsaid, and this principle also covers sinful acts that have been confirmed. The Bible gives us warning on this matter, and many of us may need to ask God's forgiveness on this point, for it affects our relationship with God and with our fellow men. Let's read:
James 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
A prominent example of what the apostle James is referring to occurred when Miriam began gossiping and speaking evil of Moses' wife who was not a bloodline Hebrew, but an Ethiopian who had come to a knowledge of the true God through her interaction with Moses, and also from her father Jethro. Even back then racism existed and was manifested in Miriam, who complained to Aaron about the matter, and as time went by they both continued speaking about her behind Moses' back, and the devil was more than happy to stir the pot of slander and evil-speaking, by adding in his own two cents and putting his own spin on what should never have been mentioned in their conversations. Let's read:
Numbers 12:1 And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman. 2 And they said, Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the Lord heard it.
This spirit as manifested in Miriam and Aaron proceeded directly from satan, for he is described in the Bible as a slanderer and accuser of the brethren, who accuses us before God day and night, and thus, anyone who partakes of this spirit is indeed reflecting a characteristic that is not of God, and therefore repentance and confession are required to begin the eradication process. God at this time manifested His disapproval at what was taking place, and He sent judgments on Miriam who was the instigator, thus showing His utmost displeasure with this sin that many Christians view lightly. Let's read:
Numbers 12:4 And the Lord spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out. 6 And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. 7 My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. 8 "Wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses? 9 And the anger of the Lord was kindled against them; and he departed. 10 And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous.
In our day and in our own experiences we are often tempted to indulge in the sin of tale bearing, on account of the faults and shortcomings of those with whom we interact on a daily basis. And some of the magazines and newspapers we read also foster the same spirit of criticizing, gossip and evil-speaking, by dwelling on the mistakes, sins, and misfortunes of stars, politicians, and television anchors, who may have made serious mistakes or blunders in life. Whatever the source or motivation may be, we are commanded by God to refrain from indulging in this evil work, for it does no one any good, and we often proscribe and wrongfully judge, those for whom Christ died, not knowing that God can save to the uttermost, even the vilest of sinners, since the word "Salvation" is derived from the word "Salvage".
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which sets the gold standard on this matter, and which also encourages us to exercise restraint when conversing about others and about matters we do not really know. Let's read:
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. 30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!