Stop Reading Blogs that Practice Slander and Gossip
March 18, 2008 by swbtsblogger
Adam Groza has written a guest-post at Colossians Three Sixteen about the danger of associating with blogging “revilers.”
He writes,
This will be a short post with a simple message: Christians need to stop reading blogs that practice slander and gossip. I am basing this on St. Paul’s words in Corinth in 1 Corinthians 5:11. St. Paul makes is clear in the beginning of the verse that he is talking about so-called Christians; that is, people who profess to be saved but by their unrepentant lifestyle prove they are not members of the Redeemed (the new lump, verse 7). Specifically, Paul mentions in verse 11 the sins of immorality (pornos, or fornication), covetousness, idolatry, reviling, drunkenness, or swindling. Paul says we are not to associate with such a person, not to even eat with such a one. There is debate as to whether the Supper is in view in this latter prohibition, but for my purposes, Christians are first commanded by St. Paul not to associate with such people who (1) claim to be Christians and (2) exhibit such unrepentant ways.
There is a practical application of this verse in regard to blogs that generate readership by reviling people, especially (but not limited to) those whom God has put in authority, such as pastors, religious, or government authorities. The Bible is clear that God establishes those in authority over us, and our respect for God is demonstrated in our submission to them (1 Peter 2:13-15). People who revile others are not Christians (1 Corinthians 6:10). Those who verbally abuse or blaspheme others will not inherit the kingdom.
Some blogs have literally become popular for the kind of scoffing mentioned in Psalm 1. Spurgeon says that those who tempt others sit in the seat of the scornful. Many blogs daily tempt Christians to engage in gossip and slander, or to take joy in other peoples troubles. Spurgeon calls such tempters the “Doctors of Damnation”. The Psalmist warns that those who scorn and revile will not stand on the Day of Judgment. If we have interaction with people who contribute to online slander and gossip we should witness to them because they need to be redeemed. Furthermore, their churches are negligent for not practicing church discipline.
St. Paul commands followers of Christ to have no association with those who revile others. In the same way that you should leave or stop a conversation in which someone is being reviled or blasphemed so too Christians should avoid such blogs. If you enjoy listening to gossip in a traditional conversation you sin, being yourself guilty of gossip. Having nothing to do with those who revile means walking away from conversations in which people are being attacked and I am suggesting it means we avoid online sites that engage in gossip and slander.
Good post. I would like your thoughts on blogs like this one, and this one, and this one, and this one, and finally, this one fit and how they fit into your overall view of the blog world, particularly since you link to many of them on your own website? Specifically, I wonder if you consider what they say, “gossip”? I’m not saying it is, or it isn’t - I am just wondering about consistency within your views.
Blessings,
Wade
Thanks for your comment,
I think the main point of the article quoted here is general enough to apply to the entire blogosphere. So, I think the encouragment here is to be discerning about every blog (and every post) without distinction that we come accross in the blog world.
The linking guidlines for inclusion here are on the About page.
Guys,
This is a worthy post and one all too often ignored. Thank you.
To our esteemed Mr. Burleson, who listed five blogs above to gauge for “gossip”–second of which was my own site–I encourage your inquiry. Know by no stretch would I think SBCTomorrow passes with a perfect score. Nonetheless, if Mr. Burleson thinks he can produce a basket of rotten apples from my orchard, I invite him to put up a ladder and pick away.
If on the other hand, the goods cannot be produced there, I’m wondering why the subtle suggestion of inconsistency on your part is thinly veiled in the comment.
Our Lord’s perception stands perfect: sometimes we can be so absolutely obsessed with swatting a gnat and swallowing a camel.
Grace to all of you. With that, I am…
Peter
I agree that reading slanderous blogs is ill-advised and an improper decision. Nevertheless, I would add an elaboration, or maybe a clarification, between slander/gossip and genuine disagreement or news. There are many sites that express views that say “Jane Doe promotes this idea which I disagree with and here’s why” then elaborate the reasons for the disagreement. Is this slander or gossip?
I’ve read some blogs that mention a speech or activity by an Southern Baptist organization or member with which they disagree. They outline the position/action of the organization/individual and then enumerate the reasons for their disagreement. Is this slander or gossip?
The answer to the question for both situations is a definite ‘maybe.’ It depends on how the article is presented. If it is a genuine disagreement over theology, practice, or such and it is approached in love and respect, then it is not slander, but a legitimate discussion. If it is written in order to attack the character of the organization/individual or to spread rumors then it is slander or gossip (or both). The article or blog must be considered for not only what it says but how it presents the information.
There is one thing which all Christians must firmly stand opposed to: heresy in the name of Christ. The world is filled with so-called preachers spouting anti-Scriptural heresy while claiming it is in the Bible or from Jesus himself. Christians must be willing to stand up and say such teachings are heresy, contrary to Scripture, then give the reasons why. When doing this, though, we must ensure it is done so as to argue against the heresy and not the heretic; the former refutes false teaching, the latter attacks the individual’s character and person.
I hope this made sense, if not, please let me know and I’ll attempt to clarify.
Please feel free to reject this comment, as I noticed a major spelling error (major to me at least). The first word of the fourth paragraph should be “There” not the possessive “Their.” I don’t see a way to edit the comment, so if you could be so kind as to change it for me, I appreciate it.
John
so if you could be so kind as to change it for me
John,
No problem.