# Backbiting and Gossiping Ellen White addressed backbiting and gossiping with remarkable clarity and seriousness. She taught that "when any man or woman listens to a charge against a brother or sister, this sin is defined as backbiting" (
EA 333.1). In Scripture, she noted, backbiters are classed with the haters of God, 'with inventors of evil things,' with those who are without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful, 'full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity'" (AUCR September 15, 1905, par. 6). Ellen White identified several forms this sin takes in the church. She warned that "there are those who go up and down as talebearers, accusing and condemning, blackening character, inspiring hearts with maliciousness. They carry false reports to the doors of their neighbors, who, as they listen to the slander, lose the Spirit of God" (
18MR 147.4).
She also addressed the subtle forms of gossip, explaining that "closely allied to gossip is the covert insinuation, the sly innuendo, by which the unclean in heart seek to insinuate the evil they dare not openly express" (
Ed 236.3). Every approach to these practices, she urged, should be shunned as they would shun the leprosy.The damage caused by gossip extends throughout the church community. Ellen White observed that "difficulties are often caused by the vendors of gossip, whose whispered hints and suggestions poison unsuspecting minds and separate the closest friends" (
2TT 83.1). She noted that mischief-makers are aided by "the many who stand with open ears and evil heart, saying: 'Report, ... and we will report it'" (
T31 237.4).
Ellen White was particularly concerned about gossip within families and among church members. She stated emphatically that "this sin should not be tolerated among the followers of Christ. No Christian parent should permit gossip to be repeated in the family circle or remarks to be made disparaging the members of the church" (
2TT 83.1). She also acknowledged the various motivations behind gossip: "Among the lovers of gossip some are actuated by curiosity, others by jealousy, many by hatred against those through whom God has spoken to reprove them" (
2TT 22). The biblical standard Ellen White upheld is clear: God's citizen of Zion is one that 'speaketh the truth in his heart;' 'that backbiteth not with his tongue,' 'nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor'" (AUCR September 15, 1905, par. 6).
This counsel calls believers to guard not only their own tongues but also their ears, refusing to participate in or enable the spread of harmful reports about others. --- 💡 **You might also want to explore:**
• What did Ellen White say about how to respond when someone brings gossip to you?
• How does Ellen White connect gossip to spiritual life and the presence of God's Spirit?
• What counsel did she give about resolving conflicts directly rather than talking about others?
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