Instruction [3] 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 neighbor; I am the Lord.
This instruction on the issue of stories, coming from the rumor mill has to do with us not being a conduit for the tales in question. For us to take pleasure in spreading tales, even those that are true, can bring persons more in alignment with the accuser of the brethren than with the Spirit of truth that emanates from Jesus. Some persons believe that tales are only fictitious in nature, and could never be true; but while in most cases they may be concocted stories there are times when they could also be true.
Definition from Oxford Languages: Tale: A fictitious or true narrative or story, especially one that is imaginatively recounted. Thus, the passage above that we just read does not deal with whether or not the story is true, it deals with the issue of being a conduit for the negatives. And one of the reasons for this instruction against being a conduit, is that embellishments are often added, to spin the story into harmony with what the conduit prefers to hear.
This can distort truth, and it can potentially do irreparable damage to the person in question….. [Acts of the Apostles pp 319] Christ-like love places the most favorable construction on the motives and acts of others. It does not needlessly expose their faults; it does not listen eagerly to unfavorable reports, but seeks rather to bring to mind the good qualities of others.
James 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!