My beloved brethren, we need to beware of backbiting, and we need to completely avoid it. You see, to backbite is, “to maliciously talk about someone who is not present.” So, to be simply put, backbiting istalking about someone behind their back in a degrading way. You see, when one backbites they are engaging in an evil and cowardly act. They are forsaking the act of love and kindness, and they are putting their soul in danger. Likewise, it is important to note that Paul informs that not only are those who practice backbiting deserving of death, but also those who approve of those who practice such are deserving of death (Romans 1:30-32).
So, knowing that, we need to keep ourtongues fromevil, and ourlips from speaking deceit (Psalm 34:13). We need to always strive to guard our mouths and tongues (Proverbs 21:23). We need to pursue the things which make for peace, and the things by which we may edify another (Romans 14:19). We need to let no corrupt words proceed out of ourmouths, but rather that which is good for necessary edification (Ephesians 4:29). We need to be one who speaks evil of no one (Titus 3:2). We need to lay aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and evil speaking (1 Peter 2:1). We need to be one who always endeavors to let our words, and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in the sight of the Lord (Psalm 19:14), and we need to avoid those who backbite (Proverbs 20:19).
Brethren, the fact of the matter is, backbiting will not profit anyone anything good, but rather just the opposite. For, the wise man said, The north wind brings forth rain, And a backbiting tongue an angry countenance” (Proverbs 25:23). Also, evil typically provokes evil, and in Galatians 5:15, Paul says, “But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!” We all also need to give attention to, and remember these inspired words of David, “Lord who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart; He who does not backbite with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend…(Psalm 15:1-3).
Once more brethren, I plead with you to seriously think about these things concerning backbiting, and always remember, one who backbites will not only be one who will not obtain favor from men, but more importantly they will be one who will not obtain favor from the Lord. So, be one who avoids backbiting, and let’s never forget, “A fool’s mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul” (Proverbs 18:7).
– by Brad Phillips