Back biters and gossips.
Today I was led to consider these things… What is the difference between a back biter and a gossiper and which one is worse? Lol, the questions that come into my mind and fixate there sometimes. These are questions that must be answered!
First of all I encourage us to study the main sculptures that deal with such things. Get good at these ones if you can, they are excellent things to meditate on and burn into the mind. But let’s take a look at the word definitions first…
And before I go on whatever rant I’m about to, let’s check out a few scriptures. First for the gossips…
And for the back biter…
Now, notice they both share Leviticus. There is similarity, I’d say especially in the spirit of these things. Yet they are quite different as well.
As to what is worse or more base in mind, I’d argue it’s the backbiter! For several reasons I’ll try to explain but really they both suck and we should do your best to avoid being caught in either category! Because it’s a cowardly nature.
Not to defend the gossips but I will say the gossipee (subject of gossip) at least has to be involved in terms of providing the subject matter to be gossiped about. If you don’t provide them anything news worthy, they will very likely not talk much on you in terms of secrets or sensitive information. Maybe a little here and there if you are just a cool cat, but not much.
So basically to be a subject of a lot of gossip, you have to also lack discernment and wisdom in many cases. Not always, just as a way of thinking you can avoid a lot just by removing the type of information certain types love to tell other types. This might not always be possible in certain types of family relations or what have you, but if it is an issue then you can try to limit certain types of info etc.
Backbiting on the other hand! This is a harder one to deal with, especially if you are dealing with a skilled snake. The backbiter is often more devious and good at hiding. You will know these ones because you can tell they don’t like you, but they are way to cowardly to confront you head on. And they will make what they say seem like they are just trying to help the recipient out. Just to warn them, etc.
So then the other person won’t feel the need to call them out for gossip, it’s not quite like that. They might come at someone with stuff like while they like person xyz, they are just concerned is all. Person xyz is ok, they are just hard to love! Person xyz is difficult! Person xyz is a brother but they just don’t understand theology. Or whatever.
The backbiter is harder and takes a lot of skill and perception to either root out or practice patience with until others just finally make it known that they disagree or what have you. They might get some angry looks from the person aware though. What they do is evil.
Id argue it is more evil because it has a more devious and twisted root. It’s not just to fill some time with stories that are based on secret information or sensitive stuff. They speak on you because they want to destroy your credibility and how others perceive you. These are individuals that feel threatened by you, but can’t confront you, because they don’t have a legitimate view.
The backbiter is a creature of pride and arrogance. They don’t want you to be used by God, for anything they aren’t.
They are more cowardly because they are a long way from a direct confrontation. These people know they don’t want that. They can percieve that you would cut them up in a face off with the sword of The Word. So they have to be very sly and crafty, just like a snake.
Gossips suck and are frustrating, but if you don’t give them much fuel they don’t burn your fires. They may even talk about you in front of your face and make fun of it, so as I’m seeing it at this point it’s a lighter or less malicious offense? They often don’t even care for real about whatever they are saying, they just want to talk and gab and whatnot. Not that it’s good to do that either, but maybe less dark. Often times they will admit to telling others things if you ask them too, like oh yeah sorry about that.
Not so with the backbiter. So beware of them both. But pay special attention to your perception in groups for the backbiter, especially if you aren’t of their framework. Use patience and skill in The Word and you have nothing to worry about. Jesus will take care of you, and have you observe the way of things and manifest His glory through these things too!