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They Say

“The tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” (James 3:8)

Gossip is a killer.

Aaron Burr lay dying in a boarding house at Port Richmond, Staten Island. A friend who was attending to his needs reported a rumor to him and began by saying, "They say …."

Burr interrupted and said, "Never use those words. They have broken more hearts than any others."

Very likely Burr's protest had something to do with his own unhappy experiences. His character, in spite of his great inheritance as a son of the second president of Princeton University and as a grandson of one of America's greatest thinkers and preachers, Jonathan Edwards, left much to be desired. Burr was probably painted a whole lot worse than he really was. He, himself, knew the wound that can be inflicted by a careless and ill-considered, "They say."

He was right.

Those words, "They say," HAVE broken more hearts than any others.

The Bible says:

"The tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison." (James 3:8)

Let's consider these four facts about the gossiper's tongue.

I. UNRULY

The gossiper's tongue IS unruly – an unruly evil. Very rarely can we speak evil without doing evil. And very rarely can we do evil without becoming evil.

We somehow have the idea that a word spoken is gone, but the words we speak in gossip linger to wound, sometimes for a lifetime.

We cannot speak and be done with it.

We cannot do and be done with it. As we do, so we become.

II. UNINTENTIONAL

Not all gossip is intentionally malicious. Some people are unknowing rumormongers – talebearers rather than burden-bearers.

It is true. By what I say I can create or destroy an atmosphere for those around me. By my words, I can make life brighter or darker for them and for me. My words can spread a pall of misery, or my words can create a garland of peace. I must never forget that my words are creators of good or evil. What I say – what you say – is immeasurably important. I must guard against spreading gloom and doom. I must not divulge privileged information. Now and then we must have a silent thought. Candor is not a license for slander.

If you drop a pebble into a pool, even unintentionally, ripples are sent out to every part of the pool, and the most distant rim feels the disturbance.

III. UNTRUE

You've heard the childhood saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me." Don't you believe it. It's just not true. Words CAN hurt you and also those you love. Words can be devastating in the damage they cause and in the pain they inflict.

Gossip is a killer, a murderer. The poet said:

MURDERER

I crucified a soul today,
I murdered it with words you see;
Void now is one testimony.
My tongue did nail it to a tree.

No one is immune from the sin of gossip. So, what do you do when you are attacked with a rumor that is untrue?

Five things:

1. You begin at the source, if you can locate it.
2. You attack the lie with the truth.
3. You attack the lie with the truth at the earliest prudent opportunity.
4. You stay on the job for God and live in such a way that minimizes the damage.
5. You pray for your attacker and ask God to give you strength to overcome the damage inflicted by the false rumor.

So beware of hearing, beware of spreading, and beware of uttering, "They say."

"They say" is the writer of anonymous letters.
"They say" is the killer of sterling character.
"They say" is the assassin of good reputation.

The Bible says it plainly:

A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaks lies shall not escape. (Proverbs 19:5)

IV. UNFAIR

One of the most difficult things on earth is to recall a careless "They say" or undo the wrong that has been done by it. Some things are irrevocable. The flower, once plucked, is doomed for death.

"Were you there when they crucified my Lord?" the old spiritual song asks.

Yes, we were there, and we cannot deny it.

And because we were there and have continued to stay there, we are in need of God's forgiveness – God's deliverance – and God's restoration.

My mother tried to teach me that if I couldn’t say anything positive about someone, to refrain from saying anything at all.

That was good advice back then.

It is still good advice – especially now.

In some circles, gossip attempts to take on the high gloss of personal candor or even a prayer request. But let there be no mistake, gossip is a sin in the sight of God. And all unconfessed sin is unforgiven sin. To be truly forgiven, the sin of gossip must be repented of diligently.

Feedback

Thank you for reminding us of the seriousness of gossip.

Pastor Bob Collins
Denbigh Virginia

Somehow I never thought of gossip as a sin - until now.

Eric Hayden
Salt Lake City, Utah

Just yesterday a lady in the church was talking about this very issue regarding her family and their move here to the Sydney area. I will forward your article to her. I’m sure it will be a blessing to her.

Mary-Margaret and Jack Morris
Campbelltown (Sydney) Australia

What a great message! I plan to use this as a devotion in my class at Lee University.

Thank you for providing truth.

Mrs. Lena Barber
Cleveland, Tennessee

Ouch! We all need to hear this again and again. I always feel the check of the Holy Spirit when I’m tempted to tell something I shouldn’t. Sometimes I listen – but sometimes I ignore. “Lord, let my words create a garland of peace.” Thanks for this reminder to bring a spirit of joy and compassion to my world with the words I speak to others.

Dee Yoder
Mansfield, Ohio

Wow! What a message!

Mary Henderson
Tifton, Georgia

You have touched our hearts with this true message. Thank you for listening to the voice of God and lifting out these life-giving truths to the Christians globally like us. We appreciate you, Carl.

Paul and Ellie van Zyl
Barberton (Mpumalanga) South Africa

Thanks for the excellent Word, “They Say.” Every pastor and leader within the Body of Christ should share this message often with those they pastor and with whom they work.

Having served as a Senior Pastor-Evangelist for more than 35 years in the Assemblies of God, I am confident these two words, “They Say,” have destroyed many excellent church congregations and individuals within the Body of Christ. Thanks for the message.

I am proud to say that Carl Richardson is my cousin. You are loved and appreciated.

Rev. Norton W. Richardson
Mesquite, Texas

Thank you for the reminder of what we should be living out every day.

Mrs. Mary Fisher
Cleveland, Tennessee

James and I enjoyed so much visiting with you at the General Assembly in San Antonio, Texas. Visiting briefly with you made our day. In response to your blog, I want to thank you for sharing it. I might use this message sometime in the future if it’s OK with you. BTW, over the past number of years I recall hearing many “They Sayers” make comments regarding YOU and your preaching on television and radio worldwide. They said “You were great!” Well, they were right! Thank you for obeying the Lord throughout your lifetime of service for the Lord!

Sue and James Webb
Santa Paula, California

God used you as an angel to give strength to my life! Thank you and God bless you!

Evelyne Raymond
Atlanta, Georgia

I have always enjoyed everything you have written. You are a deep thinker and always say something I can think about. I had surgery several weeks ago and am recovering from 3 hernia repairs. Your blog on your very first baptismal service made me laugh until it hurt, but it was really enjoyable. Tell Beverly hello from us both.

Dr. Doug and Joyce Slocumb
Cleveland, Tennessee

A good word. Sin is still sin. We must be careful to sanctify our freedom of speech “right.” It may be a “right” but be very wrong!

Pastor Sam Belisle
Roanoke, Virginia

Carl, another outstanding message. How many ministries have been hindered? How many hearts have been broken? How many souls will miss heaven because of “They Say?” Thanks for reminding us of our duty to always validate what we hear before we repeat it. In fact, if it is bad news, why repeat it at all?

Dr. Robert White
Tyler, Texas

When you wrote so powerfully on the sin of gossip, I could almost hear the hiss of the serpent!

Bishop Jeremiah Robinson
Chicago, Illinois

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