Rumor : A story that is circulating, the truth of which is doubtful or uncertain
Gossip : Idle talk or rumor, especially about the personal affairs of another
Proverbs 11:13 New International Version (NIV): A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.
Proverbs 16:28 New Living Translation (NLT): A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.
Proverbs 17:4 The Message: Evil people relish malicious conversation; the ears of liars itch for dirty gossip.
Proverbs 18:8 (NLT): Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart.
Proverbs 25:18 (NLT): Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow.
2 Corinthians 12:20 (NIV): For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.
Hebrews 3:13 (NIV): But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
TNH:
IS IT TRUE?
IS IT NECESSARY?
IS IT HONORING?
Grapevine stories stopped with Jesus. He brought a fresh new chapter to the story.
Spreading rumors and gossip = SIN
Are we going to be part of the problem or the solution?
Are we part of the grapevine by starting or passing along rumors or by cutting the grapevine when it reaches us?
What are you going to do when the grapevine gets to you?