“These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”

                             -Proverbs 6:16-19

Out of all the sins God hates, the book of Proverbs lists seven specific things that are an abomination in His sight. And though many people can posses these traits, one type of person in particular contains six of these seven terrible sins: the gossip.

A gossip is not only prideful by thinking he or she is better than those they are talking about (verse 17), but they all too often exaggerate what little truth might exist in the rumors they enjoy spreading. By distorting the truth, they are in God’s sight a liar, and thus disqualify themself from the Kingdom of Heaven (Revelation 21:8). Furthermore, their feet are always quick in running into mischief, their heart continually devising wicked imaginations and, above all, their lips always sowing discord among the brethren (verse 18-19). They are the opposite of a peacemaker (Matthew 5:9), and will thus receive the opposite of what is promised to peacemakers: a curse rather than a blessing.

“A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.”

                          -Proverbs 11:13

Whether the information is true or false, gossip is still a sin in God’s eyes. According to this Scripture, there are instances when the best thing to do is to “conceal the matter.” After all, why would we want to spread information that will cause discord, even if we think what we’re saying is factual? In the words of Paul, the only type of communication that should be found on a Christian’s lips is “…that which is good the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” (Ephesians 4:29)

Probably each of us need to carefully and prayerfully consider the way in which we use our tongue. As we read in God’s Word, it is an unruly evil that only God can tame (James 3:8). Truly, death and life are both in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21).