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“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (Ephesians 4:29)

Didn't your mother tell you that if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all? Most Christians realize that gossip is a sin but I have found many people believe that gossip is only gossip when it’s untrue. Whereas, spreading false rumors is gossip so is spreading something bad about someone even when it’s true. Telling something to others which hurts the one you are speaking about is malicious and wrong whether the facts are true or not.

Sometimes we must share unpleasant things about people for their own good or the good of the church. Sometimes facts must become public. But usually that is not the case. According to the word of God we should only share that which is “helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Sharing someones sin publically should only be as a last resort when a person refuses to repent and must be put out of the church. That means 99.9% of telling about others sin needs to stop.

Spreading something that is true because it’s a “juicy” bit of information which you know will be hurting and humiliating others is a sin. However, I have found most gossip isn’t even true. Most of it is half-truth, a distortion of facts, or outright lies. So don’t get caught up in the, “Hey did you here what so-in-so did?” trap.

Proverbs 11:12-13 "A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue. A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret."