Leviticus 19:16, 17

Tale-bearing emits a threefold poison; for it injures the teller, the hearer, and the person concerning whom the tale is told. Whether the report be true or false, we are by this precept of God’s Word forbidden to spread it. The reputations of the Lord’s people should be very precious in our sight, and we should count it shame to help the devil to dishonour the Church and the name of the Lord. Some tongues need a bridle rather than a spur. Many glory in pulling down their brethren, as if by doing so they raised themselves. Noah’s wise sons cast a mantle over their father, and he who exposed him earned a fearful curse. We ourselves may one of these dark days need forbearance and silence from our brethren; let us render it cheerfully to those who need it now. Let this be our family rule, and our personal bond—Speak evil of no man.

The Holy Spirit, however, permits us to censure sin, and prescribes the way in which we are to do it. It must be done by rebuking our brother to his face, not by railing behind his back. This course is courageous, brotherly, Christlike, and under God’s blessing will be useful. Does the flesh shrink from it? Then we must lay greater stress on our conscience and keep to the work, lest by tolerating sin in our friend we ourselves become partakers of it. Hundreds have been saved from gross sins by the timely, wise, affectionate warnings of faithful ministers and brethren. Our Lord Jesus has set us a gracious example of how to deal with erring friends in his warning given to Peter, the prayer with which he preceded it, and the gentle way in which he bore with Peter’s boastful denial that he needed such a caution.