Proverbs 26:20 (ESV)
For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarrelling ceases.

They say there is no smoke without fire, but a lot of smoke is founded on a smothering ember set out of jealousy, anger, and prejudice. Gossip can go with other names like backbiting, slander, rumours, hearsay, tale-telling. At its best, gossip whispers dubious hints, repeats information and turns the light on another person. Although gossip is not listed as a deadly sin, I think it should because it is a serious sin.
So, what is gossip then? Gossip is to prattle, to chat unconstructively, to talk too much. It is to run about and tattle; to tell idle tales that are usually defaming and damaging, Proverbs 18:8.
James 3:6 calls the tongue fire. The tongue is often the instrument of producing the most desperate contentions and insurrections. He goes further in vs 8 to say it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. Contention is like fire, the flame which is blown up by talebearers and whisperers.
Gossip is usually half-truths or outright lies to throw doubts on the character of another person. When we gossip about somebody, we steal their reputation. Words unfortunately when spoken, cannot be unsaid, or recalled, with a single sentence or phrase and sometimes even with a look, we can ruin the reputation of another person. Psalm 109:2.
Gossip is lucrative and legal; newspapers, magazines and news run stories that are unfounded, untruthful, sometimes downright cruel, and damaging and destructive. But according to Leviticus 19:16, gossip is specifically forbidden by God.
Gossips make a poor friend. Stay away from them.
Gossips are demolition experts, tearing others down to devalue them, they use gossip to make themselves look good whilst making someone else into who and what they want them to be. Proverbs 11:9.
Gossips speak of the faults and failings of others or reveal potentially embarrassing or shameful details regarding their lives without their knowledge or approval. Even if they mean no harm, it is still gossip. Psalm 101:5.
Gossip puts us in the place of judging others by our standard but God says not to judge in Matthew 7:1. Rumours and opinions are not allowed in a court of law because it may unjustly sway the verdict of the jury but we turn our living rooms, bedrooms, offices, churches, cars and everywhere into a court when we sit in judgement over someone and allow rumours and our opinions to colour and damage the reputation of others who may never have the chance to defend themselves.
Anyone can engage in gossip simply by repeating something heard in confidence. The book of Proverbs has a long list of verses that cover the dangers of gossip and the potential hurt it causes. Proverbs 11:12 says, a man who lacks judgment derides his neighbour, a man of understanding holds his tongue. A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.
Those who guard their tongues keep themselves from calamity Proverbs 21:23. So, guard your tongue and refrain from the act of gossip. If we surrender our natural desires to the Lord, He will help us to remain righteous. Before we open our mouths next time to say something nasty, mean, untrue about another, pause and ask yourself if you’ll like to be in that person’s shoes. Keep your mouth shut unless it is necessary and appropriate to speak.
Shalom