Generally, if someone gossips to you he or she will gossip about you. Gossip can be very destructive to a workplace if taken too far. Rumors occur because of inadequate formal communications. The best way to combat rumor is to open up all means of communications.
Our goal as managers should be to build up others, showing kindness and understanding instead of bitterness and malice. Gossip undermines this goal.
Some managers view office gossip as natural, normal, and indestructible. These managers will learn its traits, listen to it, and attempt to influence it.
Leaders should address destructive gossip as soon as possible. If you catch it soon enough, address it with the source and find out who else is involved. You should explain how unfounded gossip leads to conflicts, distrust, and disrespect. No one wants to be the victim of mean spirited gossip. Even when the gossip may be true, it may have no place in the workplace. For example, if someone is getting divorced, there is no reason for people to spread rumors about that at work – it’s personal. The gossiper may be unaware of how unfavorable others view him or her for being reckless with rumors and speculation.
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Ephesians 4:29 - - Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
James 4:11 - - “Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment of it.’
Psalm 31:18 - - Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous.
Psalm 34:13 - - Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking lies.
Psalm 52:2 - - Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
Proverbs 10:18-21 - - 18He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool. 19When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. 20The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value. 21The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment.
Can my mouth ruin my life? (10:18-21) - - Yes! Our mouths have the potential to make our lives miserable and affect our destiny. A chattering fool, says Proverbs, comes to ruin (v. 10).
The more we talk, the more likely we are going to stray into areas of gossip and slander (10:19). Slander is the spreading of false and damaging information about another person as if it were true. Only a fool does that, because sooner or later truth wins out and the slanderer will be discredited and punished (v. 18). Gossip, which is the sharing of rumors or information of an intimate, personal or sensational nature, ultimately destroys friendships and creates friction (16:28).
The wise person, however, speaks frugally. The tongue rightly used can nourish or feed others. A compliment or word of encouragement can brighten someone’s outlook or motivate a person to pursue a dream. Sharing the Word of God is another life-giving use for our tongues. Our tongue doesn’t affect only our destiny; it can also change the destiny of those we bless or curse.
That’s why Proverbs advocates an economy of speech. It’s a wise person who bridles the urge to blurt out everything on his or her mind. Even fools are thought to be wise when they keep their mouth shut (17:28).
Proverbs 16:28 - - A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends.
Proverbs 17:4 - - A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar pays attention to a malicious tongue.
Proverbs 20:19 - - A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much.
Proverbs 25:9-10 – If you argue your case with a neighbor, do not betray another man’s confidence, or he who hears it may shame you and you will never lose your bad reputation.
Proverbs 26:22 - - The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man’s innermost parts.
Why call gossip choice morsels? (26:22) - - Choice delicacies are relished and eagerly devoured. Unfortunately so is gossip. Like choice morsels, gossip is something that stimulates the desire for more. People who gossip can’t stop saying: “You’ll never believe what I just found out.”
Proverbs 30:10 - - Do not slander a servant to his master, or he will curse you, and you will pay for it.
