Gossip

Eccl:7:21

Don't eavesdrop on others. You may hear your servant curse you.

Gossipping has two dangers. One is the danger of eavesdropping. The other is the danger of backbiting.

Eavesdropping is listening secretly to a private conversation or communication between others. The Qoholeth's advise is to avoid such an act. There is a problem of hearing others talk ill about you. Or about others. You are intentionally listening to what you are not supposed to hear. There is realisation of mistrust. There is strain of relationships. There is loss of intimacy. Even though the speaker might not intentionally mean anything, it affects relations.

Backbiting is speaking of someone secretly when he/she is not around. The problem is there is a fear that you might be heard.

Pro:16:28 A whisperer separates close friends.

It also questions authenticity. It also affects relations.

If there is a word of criticism or admonition, how beautiful it is to openly confront to that person. Whether he takes it in the right sense or not is his problem. But you have not gossipped. Your conscience remains clear.

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Mathews Philip3 February 2023 at 07:16
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Amma

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Noble woman

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The third temptation

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Joseph

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Feckless

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The halfbaked Bard

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