Through divine inspiration Christ Jesus gave many instructions relating to social and humanitarian duties, as well as to duties of a purely spiritual nature. The bearing of these instructions on contemporary experience is as explicit as when the Master uttered them. One instruction is found in the Gospel of Matthew: "I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." Matt. 12:36, 37.
Gossip is the unthinking repetition of idle words, the spreading of unfounded rumors possibly prejudicial to others' welfare or happiness. It is like a flash fire in dry grass that flares up and threatens everything in its immediate area. This treacherous activity of the carnal mind is furthered by the human tendency to listen to that which is titillating or perhaps whiles away an empty hour.
Christly benevolence and moral courage are needed to quench the flames of gossip, whether set deliberately or carelessly. One who truly wishes his neighbor well does not listen willingly to idle chatter; one who possesses spiritual fearlessness does not hesitate to speak out firmly, albeit gently, against petty trivialities. In so doing he establishes a healthier conversational basis and comes under the protection of the Christly justification of good words.
