Skip to content 
Introduction
All of us have had someone come to us with a report about another person—maybe a friend, a neighbour, a co-worker, or even a fellow church member. Often, these reports are negative—casting people in a very bad light—and can easily become gossip. This can hardly be avoided. But, as Christians, how we handle such reports matters. It not only affects our relationship with people, but it also reflects our relationship with God.
The ultimate evidence of our salvation is conduct as it befits those saved. in Ephesians 4:1, Apostle Paul begs us to conduct ourselves as it befits our calling. Then, Jesus’s summarisation of the Law in Matthew 22:37-40 shows that our conduct as believers is two-dimensional—Godward and peopleward. We are evaluated, by our conduct toward God, but also by our conduct toward people. Now, how we handle reports about people is a critical aspect of our conduct toward them.
Living Truly As Christians in this World
So, how do we handle reports about other people in a manner that befits our Christian identity? Let’s consider some guidelines.
1. Test All Things
The Bible warns us not to be quick to accept all reports. Proverbs 18:17 says, “There are two sides to every story. The first one to speak sounds true until you hear the other side, and they set the record straight.” [TPT] Before accepting and also spreading a report about someone, pause and seek the truth. Spreading untrue stories is as evil as fabricating them. It is ungodly. The Bible spells out how we must treat every news story. See, as Christians, our entire conduct is regulated by the word of God. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 says:
“Test all things; hold fast what is good.“
The Greek dokimazō, translated into “test” here, means “to test, examine, prove, scrutinise (to see whether a thing is genuine or not); to recognise as genuine after examination; to approve; and to deem worthy.”
We must not just receive any report about people and start to run with it. No! We must first scrutinise them to ascertain whether they are genuine or not. Even if the one being talked about is someone you don’t like (for whatever reason that may be so), Christian character requires you to first examine what is being said about him or her. Never want a bad report to be true so badly, because you don’t like the person, that you won’t test it first! The Bible is clear on the basis upon which we are to admit any report.
1 Timothy 5:19:
“Do not listen to an accusation against an elder unless it is confirmed by two or three witnesses.” [NLT]
This scripture dictates how we must treat not only elders—church leaders—but everyone. Never admit an accusation against anyone unless it is confirmed by two or three eyewitnesses—emphasis on eyewitnesses. Don’t admit an accusation based on hearsay. Actually, this principle is from the Old Testament. God Himself first delivered it to Moses.
Deuteronomy 17:6:
“Whoever is deserving of death shall be put to death on the testimony of two or three witnesses; he shall not be put to death on the testimony of one witness.”
This applies to every aspect of our lives, including social media life. Our entire life is regulated by the word. Don’t be quick to click the share button on every post. Investigate! Lives and businesses have been destroyed because people made bad reports about them go viral. Even if the news is true, of what benefit is sharing it to you? Don’t live for just clicks and comments. Don’t be sucked in by the spirit of this age.
This applies to our politics too. It is not a sin to belong to a political party or support a candidate. But even that part must be guided by God’s word. Don’t gleefully spread lies spun to malign opposition candidates. Our loyalty is to Christ first, not a political party. If your partisanship will cause you to displease Christ and hurt someone else, then you have to quit. You are to bring the light to the political arena. If you can’t, then get out! Don’t add more darkness to that already darkened sector.
Jesus also quoted this principle and even applied it to how offences should be resolved among believers (Matthew 18:15-17). He said in verses 16, “But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.'” He also alluded to it in John 8:17.
We must test all things—news, rumours, and accusations—whether it is against a believer or an unbeliever, and hold fast only to what is true. We must not learn the truth but keep spreading falsehood just to spite people. It is not the Christian way!
2. Guard Against Gossip
We live at a time now where gossip spreads faster than truth. As a matter of fact, social media has provided a comfy environment for gossip. You can be on social media for hours and not be bored—scrolling through gists after gists. It never ends! Quality times that ought to be spent fellowshipping with the Lord in prayer and reading the Bible, or developing our minds reading books, are now spent on social media reading posts, looking at photographs and watching videos that don’t concern us or edify us. Some even create enemies as they argue and curse people they don’t even know.
But the Bible is clear—we who follow God must not be found in a life of gossip. The Bible calls it talebearing. And it condemns it!
Leviticus 19:16:
“You shall not go about as a talebearer among your people, nor shall you take a stand against the life of your neighbour: I am the Lord.”
God detests gossip among His people, because gossip divides and destroys!
Proverbs 16:28:
“A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.” [NLT]
Friends, instead of being part of the chain that spreads a damaging report about people, you be the breaker of the chain. If what you hear is not helpful or edifying, do not pass it on (Proverbs 11:13; Proverbs 18:8; Proverbs 20:19; Proverbs 26:20, 22).
3. Choose Love Over Judgment
When we hear a bad report about someone, what our flesh wants to do is to judge and condemn them. But what Christ commands us is to love one another (John 13:34-35). One of the qualities of love, which we are to show to one another, is that it thinks no evil toward others (1 Corinthians 13:5). Apostle Peter says that “love will cover a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8). Ask yourself, “If this report were about me, how would I want others to respond?” This shift in perspective helps us to extend grace instead of condemnation.
4. Handle Issues the Biblical Way
Sometimes what we hear may be serious and require taking action. But Jesus, in Matthew 18:15-17, has shown us how to rightly deal with issues in a way that God is glorified. We must start by going directly to the person and talking it out. If the person admits his fault, we must resolve the issue and forgive them in the Lord’s name. It is only in the case that they refuse to admit their fault that we must involve witnesses. Bringing it before the church is the last resort. What this does is that it keeps things private, respectful, and focused on reconciliation rather than humiliation.
5. Watch Your Heart and Words
Very crucial to handling what we hear about others is keeping watch over our own hearts. We must be careful not to behave in a condescending, self-righteous way. The Holy Spirit warns that while trying to restore those who are caught in any sin, we must consider ourselves lest we also be tempted (Galatians 6:1). Even when a report is true, our goal should be to restore, not destroy. We must consider, especially, how we speak. Our words should be to build up, not tear down. Ephesians 4:29 says,
“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”
- Pray
Instead of letting reports stir up anger, bitterness, or suspicion in you, turn them into prayer. Pray for the person being talked about—for the Holy Spirit to cause conviction in their hearts regarding their wrong ways. Pray for wisdom to handle the issue. Prayer changes our perspective and invites God into the situation.
Final Words
The world may thrive on gossip and judgement, but as believers, we are called to a higher life. Let’s be people who seek truth, speak life, and love others the way Christ has loved us. So when next someone brings you a report about another person, pause, and remind yourself that you represent Jesus in your response. Handling reports about others is part of our daily walk as believers.
