Drama Isn’t Just On The Screen

How comparable are drama and gossip - whether it involves teenagers or grownups? Yes, neither drama nor gossip are confined to teens. In fact, teens are more open about it than adults. Want to know where gossips fit in the Bible? Take a look at the list of things in Romans 1:25-32.

See that word “whisperers” in verse 29? That sounds so innocent, doesn’t. We think of whispering between friends, but that denotes secrets, doesn’t it? The Greek used here, ψιθυριστής, is also defined as a secret calumniator. No, I didn’t know what that word meant, either – and I have a pretty good vocabulary. So, I looked it up. That’s what we’re supposed to do when we study – dig deeper for understanding.

A calumniator is one that makes maliciously or knowingly false statements. Now that’s a bit worse than simple gossip – which is casual conversation or reports about other (definitely not the two people conversing!) people, typically involving details that are not confirmed as being true. It’s the “Did you hear …” I wrote about years ago.

How about the phrase “inventors of evil things” in verse 30? That’s similar to the calumniator, isn’t it? Inventing words that describe actions that have never taken place? Yes, that is not confined to young people. Adults can be guilty of drama and gossip, too. Long term injury can be done by both youth and adult. Verse 31 describes them well:

Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: (Romans 1:31 KJV)

This can strike early. One very sweet pre-teen explained the person who hurt her with ‘drama’ was “my used-to-be best friend.” Both will remember this, not with pleasure, as they grow and mature. What could have been a bonding experience has become a rift.

It can strike late. I’ve recently seen in adults, seeking to learn a “Why?” after a change in someone’s life. When asking others “Did you hear …” they include speculation as to the “Why?”, which always involves unconfirmed details. Obviously the person making the change did not explain – nor was an explanation required. Speculating about it does constitute gossip.

Drama? Gossip? Neither can be applied to the positive examples we’ve been given for our conversations:

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8 KJV)

Before we speak, we should T H I N K:

T – is it true?
H – is it helpful?
I – is it inspiration?
N – is it necessary?
K – is it kind.

Remember, we will be called to answer for our words:

But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. (Matthew 12:36 KJV)