Further, the union of Christ with his people should certainly give us reason for great caution with

our words about fellow believers. Paul said in Romans 14:15, Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died. I think we are also warranted in saying, Do not by your words destroy your brother or sister for whom Christ died. It is a very serious matter to hurt anyone in Christs little flock (Luke 17:1-4). A careful reading of the Bible shows the destructive nature of gossip and slander. It says, The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a mans inmost parts (Prov. 18:8, 26:22). Gossip is likened unto poison that once someone drinks, they cannot get out of their system. And it always separates people. Even close friends and loved ones. Put another way, gossip not only damages the person being gossiped about, but it also damages the person hearing the gossip, for it causes them to judge the other unfairly. Consider these texts prayerfully: A perverse person stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends (Prov. 16:28). Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down (Prov. 26:22). He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool (Prov. 10:18). Brethren, 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 on it (James 4:11). The tongue has the power of life and death . . . (Prov. 18:21). The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell (James 3:6). Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all people (Tit 3:1-2). Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice (Eph. 4:31). Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman (Psalm. 15:1-3).