The Dark Web of the Church

Two chapters in the Bible, Psalms 52 and James 3, are dedicated to the tongue, and if we are serious about keeping the kingdom, we must routinely read, study, and meditate upon them. James states that we must receive the engrafted Word so that our souls may be saved (James 1:21). How do we receive the Word? In a spirit of humility and meekness.  Here is our Word study in removing yourself from the dark web that exists in the church.

 First, recognize that there is a diabolical, cesspool of words that slanders, gossips, insults, opinions, whispers, accuses, criticizes and character assassinates other members of the Body in a despicable imitation of the world. We must do better because we are representatives of the kingdom. Once you know better, you can do better.

 Understand that behind this cesspool of evil speaking is a major demonic principality. I identify it with Jezebel, but others might use other names to identify it. Regardless, it derives from the underworld with the design to suffocate churches, relationships, and families through division and contention. It sucks you into its web and makes you a clone (carrier) of juicy gossip. Remember, “Rumors die at the ears of the wise and the spiritual, but are spread by the weak, ignorant, and carnal (fleshly). Paul told the Roman believers that they who are in the flesh cannot please God (Romans 8:8). Our whole duty is to please our heavenly Father who graciously saved us while we were yet in rebellion. Since no man can tame the tongue, we must willfully, deliberately, allow the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to bring it under subjection. This will take exercise, restraint, and wisdom.

Steps to Take When Confronting Gossip

Weak response: Meet it with sacred silence. When backed by the Holy Spirit, silence becomes searing and gives the enemy a stern disapproval. When the Lord was brought before the Sanhedrin and pummeled with false accusations and lies, “He answered nothing” (Matthew 27:12). One day, a loving church mother who had just joined our congregation called and enthusiastically praised the ministry. She abruptly changed the subject to a city pastor who was having an affair (gossip). I said nothing. As she chatted on, she suddenly stopped and said, “I shouldn’t be talking about this. To be honest, I don’t even know who this pastor is.” End of conversation. You can meet such circumstances with a deadening silence that will kill the conversation.

 Tactical response: Meet it with sacred silence. When backed by the Holy Spirit, silence becomes searing and gives the enemy a stern disapproval. When the Lord was brought before the Sanhedrin and pummeled with false accusations and lies, “he answered nothing” (Matthew 27:12). One day, I received a call from a dear church mother who had recently joined our congregation and excitedly praised the ministry. Suddenly, she shifted the conversation to a pastor within the city who was having an affair. I said nothing. As she chattered on, she suddenly stopped and said, “I shouldn’t be talking about this. In fact, I don’t even know who this pastor is.” End of conversation.” You can meet circumstances with a deadening silence that will kill the conversation. The Bible says: “Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out.” (Proverbs 26:20a). If you refuse to supply the wood, the fire eventually dies.

Stronger response: When gossip and rumors repeatedly come your way, it may be because people have identifyied you as a cistern. A cistern is a vessel or container for water. Individuals come to you because they see you as a repository, a container, a toilet. There’s nothing flattering about knowing everybody’s business, i.e. “Guess who’s pregnant?” Guess who left the church?” “Girl, he’s back on drugs," “Did you hear what happened to so-and-so?” There is nothing flattering about being known as the person who knows everybody's business. If you continually receive and retain such information, you can unwittingly become entangled in the very web you should be escaping. Your strongest response is, “I don’t want to hear it!” You have just prevented yourself from becoming another strain in the Jezebel’s web.

Speak the Word

A mature, fearless response will respond to gossip as Jesus did in the wilderness when tempted by the adversary, “it is written” (Matthew 4:4). We are commaned “to hold forth the Word of life” (Philippians 2:16). Therefore, we should have Scripture readily available in our spiritual arsenal. When someone brings gossip, slander, or corrupt communication to you, don't merely have an opinion—have a Word.

The Bible says that we are to:

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. (Ephesian 4:29) That Scripture doesn't merely govern what we say. It should also govern what we are willing to receive and participate in.

 Nehemia has a daring response to opposition and distracting lies. While repairing the walls of Jerusalem by divine commission, Nehemia’s enemies came with distracting lies to get him to abandon the work assigned to him by God. Nehemia’s wise and discerning response was, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?” (6:2-4). Notice that Nehemia is set up on high and refuses to come down on the enemy’s level. We must do the same. A believer who is focused on divine purpose has little time for foolishness. Yet the enemy will continually attempt to entice us into conversations, controversies, accusations, and distractions that have nothing to do with our assignment. Discover your purpose. Put your hands to the plow. Stay focused.

When distracting voices are identified, don't entertain them. Shut them down immediately.

Touch and Agree

In the Acts chapter 12, Peter is spared from execution by the incessant prayers of the church. Unfortunately, we have mistaken that corporate prayer as the model of intercession. Everything we hear we feel that we must call others to “touch and agree” (Matthew 18:19) which frequently serves as a camouflage for spreading gossip, slander, and malicious rumors. Believers with a strong and consistent connection to the Most High take the prophet Elijah’s model of prayer. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him (James 5:16-19). Elijah offered a solo prayer and shut up the heavens. He prayed again and unlocked the heavens. Today, we fill auditoriums to pray, and not even a flea is healed of its broken wing. (I speak this facetiously, of course). Never agree with someone who is not coming from the Word. ‍ ‍

A Real Live Example

One Saturday, I received a phone call. “Pastor, I have a word for the church. Can I give it?”

The call came from a young man who had trained under my ministry for several years before moving away. Trusting him, I gave him the green light—not only to deliver the word, but to lead the entire service.

When he stepped up to the pulpit and grabbed the microphone, he spoke with clear authority. Motioning for our young drummer to stand up front, he announced, “The Lord has been dealing with me. I want everyone who has been speaking against this brother to stand up and line up.”

The drummer had recently and quietly married a young woman in our congregation. While it was wonderful that they made things right, one issue had created friction: she was gainfully employed in the medical field, while he was unemployed. He was an aspiring rapper, but his music wasn't paying the bills. When I had previously brought up this dilemma, he told me through tears, “Pastor Toni, I’ve been trying... I really have, but I just can’t find a job.”

Now, the guest speaker pointed at the congregation and said, “You guys are hindering him.”

Slowly, members began filing out of the pews. A line formed from the front pew to the back doors, leaving only a few children, an elder, and one church mother still seated. One by one, members walked up to the drummer, confessed their negative words, asked for forgiveness, and embraced him. Tears flowed freely as reconciliation filled the room.

Shortly after, the drummer—a faithful attender who had missed several weeks—stopped by mid-week Bible study with amazing news. He was now working three jobs: assisting individuals with developmental disabilities during the day, working a midnight shift at a local potato chip factory, and holding down a part-time job at Toys "R" Us. Remarkably, his midnight supervisor even allowed him to clock out early so he could make his day shift on time—a clear sign of divine favor.

The dark speech spoken over his situation by church members had been the very tool the devil used to block his employment. He was being hindered by gossiping lips, fulfilling Proverbs 16:30: "He who winks with his eye devises perversity; he who narrows his lips brings about evil."

This serves as a powerful reminder: believers must govern their words and refrain from meddling in the lives of others. So you see, church people must govern their words, and in this case, stay out of other people's business.

The term talebearer refers to a scandalmonger who spreads rumors with malicious intent, derived from a word meaning "to traffic" or "to go about" with gossip. This word describes a whisperer who subtly spreads malicious information behind others' backs. Its root meaning suggests crumbling relationships through murmuring. There are two Hebrew words from the KJV that underscore the destructive impact of gossip and slander, showing how such talk can reveal secrets, create conflict, and inflict emotional wounds.  

Homework: Meditate and Memorize

·       “Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3)

·       “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:” (1 Peter 3:10)

·      "If you love life and want to live a good, long time, Then be careful what you say. Don’t tell lies or spread gossip or talk about improper things.” ( I Peter 3:10 VOICE)

·       “Even a fool, if he will hold his peace shall be counted wise: and if he close his lips, a man of understanding.” (Proverbs 17:28).

·       “He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soul from distress.” (Proverbs 21:23).

·       “Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: So where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.” (Proverbs 26:20-21)

·      " To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." (Isaiah 8:20)

Research: Pull up all the words that have talebearing in it.

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