Gossip is wrong because it involves idle talk, chatter, verbal nonsense, news spread by a tattler, rumors, information without fact or substance. The word as a noun refers to the person who chatters or repeats idle talk and rumors, especially about the private affairs of others.

It is not wrong to inquire about or into the spiritual or physical well-being of others. It is not wrong to receive information about the spiritual and physical state of others. It is right to be concerned about brothers and sisters in the Lord. We have apostolic precedent for this (Eph. 6:21-22; Phil. 1:27; 1 Cor. 1:11).

The following questions with the appropriate answers are critical in assisting us in determining what should and what should not be spoken; what should and what should not be heard.

(1) Will I help or hurt the person's character by repeating this information?
(2) Would it be better left untold, even if true?
(3) Will anyone be edified if I repeat this information?
(4) What is my motive for telling it?
(5) Am I really seeking to build or destroy, to hurt or heal?
(6) Will I cause unnecessary suspicion to surround the person by repeating the information?
(7) Is the information true?
(8) Is there any basis for it?
(9) Is it rumor or innuendo?
(10) Will anybody be made better by telling it?
(11) Is the information about something which has been made right with God and man?
(12) Is the information about something which has been repented of and stopped? If so, shouldn't it be left alone?v (13) Will I help the one who is spreading the rumors by receiving what he is telling?
(14) Do I want to be an accessory in the commission of a sin against another person by receiving information which I should not be privy to?
(15) Will I feel better towards the one being talked about by hearing the idle talk being spread about him by a gossiper?
(16) Am I assisting in strengthening the character of one whom I allow to gossip about others?
(17) Or am I becoming a party to their evil doings?
(18) Can I with good conscience say that I am a friend of one from whom I receive information about the private affairs of others?
(19) Am I responsible for the unfaithfulness of others when they have been hardened by the deceitfulness of sin through my assistance by spreading unfounded charges about them, or by listening to others do the same?
(20) How many people have left active service to Christ by my going to them with unfounded charges and allegations received from others?

The above article is actually an excerpt from a longer article on Gossip titled "The Improper Use of the Tongue." The entire article can be found at http://truthmagazine.com/archives/volume36/GOT036200.html