Leviticus 19:16 Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour; I am the Lord. 17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.
This passage of scripture teaches us to avoid the sin of tale-bearing or gossiping, even if the fairy tales happen to be true, for the same passage goes on to teach us that we should not hate our brother or sister in our hearts, but should rather address the issues at hand directly with the persons involved. As a general format in dealing with these issues, we should refrain from saying anything that we would not say in front of the person in question, for whenever we are eager to discuss the faults and errors of brethren with others, behind their backs, we set the stage for hypocrisy, and alienation, traits that are synonymous with the accuser of the brethren.
The Bible teaches us the gold standard for all our speaking, whether in private or in public, and the counsels thus given should be incorporated into our attitudes and conversations, if we are to walk in the light, even as Christ is in the light. In other words, whatever we have to say about our fellow-brethren, should edify and build up, not tear down or destroy, and if there is nothing good to be said about another, it will be better if left unsaid. This is not merely good advice, it is a definite instruction coming from The One who knows us best. Let's read:
Ephesians 4:29 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. 30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
One of the reasons why the tribe of Dan is strangely absent from the list of victorious tribes given in the 7th chapter of Revelation, is because his descendants indulged freely the tendency to back-bite, or gossip behind the backs of others, and although grace was accorded them to overcome this evil trait of character, yet it was left to grow and take root in their lives, so that after a while their very name became associated with gossip and tale-bearing. This specific trait was pointed out by Jacob as he gave his last words of prophetic insight, into the future course of each tribe, this being done under the direct inspiration of The Spirit of God. Let's read:
Genesis 49:1 And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days. 17 Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward. 18 I have waited for thy salvation, O Lord.
We observe in these verses that Dan bites the horse's heels, which means that his words are like arrows coming from behind, which then cause those who were riding confidently, to fall "Backwards" not forwards. It is never a good thing for any person to cause another one to fall backwards, by the words that are spoken in secret, for it suggests that the sin of tale-bearing can result in one losing their hold on eternal life. Furthermore, it was after he received some bad news, that Eli died, and he fell backwards. Let's read:
1st Samuel 4:12 And there ran a man"... "out of the army, and came to Shiloh the same day with his clothes rent, and with earth upon his head. 13 And when he came, lo, Eli sat upon a seat by the wayside watching".... 16 And the man said unto Eli".... 17 "Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken. 18 And it came to pass"... "that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died"...
Let us therefore not be found causing anyone to fall backwards with words that are not a savor of life unto life, but let us rather deal in the currency of heaven, by dwelling on the good in others, for this is one of the manifestations of The Spirit of God in those who are partakers of His nature and grace. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to cultivate and practice the counsels here given, and God promises His enabling power if we are willing and ready to cooperate with Him. Let's read:
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. 19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
May the Lord add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word. God bless!