Psalm 15: 2-3
2 He who walks in integrity and does righteousness,
And he speaks truth in his heart.
3 He who does not slander with his tongue,
Neither does he harm his neighbor,
Neither admits any reproach against his neighbor.
Image Source
The Word of God speaks very clearly to us about how bad it is to speak inappropriately of another person (that is, gossip) and its results are always so harmful that they can destroy a person's testimony or life. The Hebrew word translated "gossip" in the Old Testament is defined as someone who reveals secrets that happen around him as a gossip or dealer of gossip.
Proverbs 16:28
"The wicked man raises a fight, and the gossiper separates the best friends"
Gossip brings contentions, says
Proverbs 26:20 "Without wood the fire is extinguished, and where there is no gossip, strife ceases."
Like firewood that fuels fire likewise is gossip, stokes the race between people. How sad it is when you have trusted a person and as time passes you find out that the person you trusted has judged and spoken badly of you in front of others. It is painful to trust someone and realize later that that person did not have the words "faithful spirit".
How sad when a gossip separates families, friends, churches, ministries, marriages leaving a trail of pain and damage that can take many years to repair the damage done and there are cases that the damage will never be cured because God forgives and does not remember more of our sins, but unlike the man who has the tendency not to forget.
Judging by the common practice, even among people who profess to be Christian, it seems that many are confused about the nature and malignity of gossip.
Along with the gossip usually appears another variant, the COMPLAINT: this word means (lament, grieve, protest, sue, claim, reproach.) And the complaint comes the murmuring, these are like two twins who never walk apart always walk together and they are very good companions never separate, the complaint is not from God, it does not come in the package of salvation.
The murmuring can be about a true fact, then it is called gossip. It is not questioned whether what is communicated is true or not, but the fact of talking about it, of commenting it with others, constitutes murmuring and that is a sin. And remember that for God there is no difference of sins, the murderer is as sinful, the idolater, the adulterer as the gossiper. Our Lord calls the corrupt gossips.
Those who engage in this behavior only cause difficulties and cause anger and bitterness, not to mention the injuries between friends. Sadly, some people do it thinking that it is unintentional and seeking the welfare of the victim of their murmuring, and nothing is further from reality. When such people are confronted, they deny the accusations and respond with excuses and rationalisms. Instead of admitting their mistake, they blame someone or something else, or try to make it sound as if the sin they committed was not so bad.
Proverbs 18: 7-8
"The mouth of a fool is brokenness for himself, and his lips are snares for his soul. The words of the gossiper are like soft morsels, and they penetrate to the bowels. "
Proverbs 21:23
"He who keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul in anguish."
So we must keep our tongues and refrain from the sinful act of gossip. If we surrender our natural desires to the Lord, He will help us to stay righteous. God rewards the righteous and the righteous, so we must all struggle to remain as such.