Most have played a game called telephone. It exposes how Fake News or Gossip gets started.
Here’s how the game is played: Someone gets some news, then whispers it to another, who in turn whispers it to another. This continues until everyone has been whispered the message. Finally, the last person states the message and it is contrasted to the completely different original.
The problem with gossip is each person can embellish the original news with their own interpretation/feelings. The next person accepts it as fact. The result can be devastating to friendships, credibility, money, power, nations or careers!
Answers from God’s Word
Below, God’s Word strongly suggests, to live a happy life, don’t participate in fake news or gossip. There are many references to stopping fake news or gossip, here are but a few.
In all labor there is profit, but IDLE CHATTER leads only to POVERTY. Proverbs 14:23
Disregarding another person’s faults preserves love; telling about them separates close friends. Proverbs 17:9 NLT
Where there’s is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no TALEBEARER, STRIFE ceases. . . The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, and they go down into the inmost body. Proverbs 16:20 & 22Leviticus 19:16 states; You shall not go about as a TALEBEARER among your people;
A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter. Proverbs 11:13
The north wind brings forth rain, And a BACKBITING TONGUE an ANGRY countenance. Proverbs 25:23
being filled with all unrighteousness,sexual immorality, envy, murder . . . evil-mindedness; they are WHISPERERS, BACKBITERS, haters of God . . . Romans 1:29-30
KEY WORDS
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show by good conduct that their works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have BITTER ENVY and SELF-SEEKING in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This type of wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, DEMONIC. For where envy (jealously) and selfish ambition exist, CONFUSION and every EVIL thing are there.
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without a trace of hypocrisy.
CONCLUSION
Stay away from Fake News and Gossip. It only leads to confusion, ill-feelings from wrong information. It never leads to good!
