Avoiding Gossip, Slander, & Unrighteous Anger

Gossip, slander, and unrighteous anger are perhaps some of the most acceptable sins, even within conservative Christianity. But God’s Word condemns all three. Speaking of the widows in 1 Timothy 5:11-13, Paul writes:

But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith. And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.

Younger widows are described as those who often grow in “covetousness against Christ.” They grow idle, having no stable headship. They go “from house to house,” he says, gossiping and stirring up strife, “saying things which they ought not.” The problem is not the widow or her age, but the vices or sins she becomes involved with. And it’s not just widows. The principle here stretches far beyond women who have become widowed. Male gossips are also condemned. And so are married couples who gossip and say things they ought not. Of course, idleness seems to be fuel for such a fire.

The Proverbs clearly applies the principle found in 1 Timothy 5 to everyone indiscriminately, “Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, And whoever spreads slander is a fool (Prov. 10:18).” What is it to gossip? It is to say meaningless and unedifying things about others. What is it to slander? Slander is a bit stronger, meaning to say not only unedifying or meaningless things about others, but to say things in order to hurt the reputation of others. And how common this is in our day, even in Christ’s church! We are so trained to think it a permissive thing that we do not even realize when we commit the gross sins of gossip and slander. And there’s a certain attraction about it, isn’t there? You have news about someone else that you believe no one else has. It is fun to have the exclusive take, and to communicate “the scoop” to others. But this leads nowhere except to heartache, hatred, and the splitting of Christ’s precious church. The third article of our church covenant says it well:

We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all gossip, slander, and unrighteous anger; to be zealous in our efforts to glorify God and obey Him according to the Scriptures.

There is a logical order in the wording of the church covenant here. It puts gossip and slander before unrighteous anger. Gossip and slander can only end in anger—sometimes justified anger and sometimes unjustified anger. Either way, it unnecessarily creates tension—and eventually a split—within the delicate flesh of Christ’s bride. And then, before she knows it, she’s torn to pieces. It’s happened to countless churches in the past. 

Therefore, we must resolve to put away all gossip, slander, and the unrighteous anger which often flows therefrom. There is no good excuse to speak about others the things which ought not be said. There is no excuse to tarnish the reputation of a brother or sister in Christ. To do either of these things is to link arms, to lock step with Satan, as he tries in vain to prevail upon Christ’s church. Moreover, there is no excuse for unrighteous anger, especially when it is directed toward other Christians. “For the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God (Jas. 1:20).”