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.
Ephesians 4:29
How do you know when words spoken about another person are accountability, venting, or gossip? I’ve been obsessively listening to a podcast about a Seattle megachurch pastor who destroyed his church because of his abusive and toxic leadership, and I can’t help but ask myself this question after each episode. I began listening to the podcast because I wanted to learn how to avoid the pitfalls of toxic leadership as a pastor; but I continue listening to the podcast because of all the juicy details that is exposed.
A conversation can start off as informative or even teachable, but where is the point it turns into gossip? Ephesians 4:29 articulates it beautifully when it encourages God’s people to “not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up.” The word “unwholesome” can also be translated as “corrupt” or “rotten.” And the word “building up” can also be translated as “edifying” or “life giving.” If the talk feels “corrupt” or “unwholesome,” chances are the talk is gossip. But if the talk feels “edifying” or “life giving,” chances are the talk is innocuous or helpful.
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a good gossip here and there; they’re definitely entertaining. But more times than not, may we engage in more edifying conversations to bring life to the people around us.
