Diabolic Gossip and Tattle
Titus 2:3
“The older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things.”John 8:44
“You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.”Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”Psalm 141:3
“Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.”
A very interesting word used in Titus 2:3 shows how seriously God takes slander, defamation, half-truths, blasphemy (even in a pious guise), or gossip. When older women are told not to slander, we find the Greek term "diabolos" – the word used for the devil. It means "confuser, slanderer”. No wonder since he is called the father of lies in John 8:44. One who unjustly criticizes and condemns.
Gossip, half-truths (not lies per se, but distortions of reality), and other things are not trivial to God. They are of diabolical origin. Especially in light of James 3:1-12, where we are shown that our tongues can destroy much, we as believers should be very sensitive about whether, what, and how we talk about our fellow brothers and sisters.
Philippians 4:8 is a good "list of criteria": "Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” If what I have to say about my brother or sister is inappropriate, maybe I should keep it to myself.
Ps 141:3: "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.”
