Gossip or Not Gossip? Take the Quiz
Is it gossip or not? You confide in your accountability partner about your frustration with your coworker, seeking guidance on how to respond biblically.
This quiz includes 15 scenarios to help you identify whether a statement or action is gossip or not. Each question includes multiple choice options. Reflect on your answer before checking the answer key at the end.
1. You say to a friend, “I heard Jane is having marriage problems. We should pray for her.”
A. Gossip
B. Not gossip—it’s accountability/seeking help/reporting appropriately
C. Gossip if intent is harmful or it shares private info improperly
D. Depends on tone/context
2. You confide in your accountability partner about your frustration with your coworker, seeking guidance on how to respond biblically.
A. Gossip
B. Not gossip—it’s accountability/seeking help/reporting appropriately
C. Gossip if intent is harmful or it shares private info improperly
D. Depends on tone/context
3. You overhear someone say, “Did you know Pastor Tom got in trouble with the board?” and you tell others right away.
A. Gossip
B. Not gossip—it’s accountability/seeking help/reporting appropriately
C. Gossip if intent is harmful or it shares private info improperly
D. Depends on tone/context
4. In a small group, you mention how someone in church always acts holier-than-thou and should be more humble.
A. Gossip
B. Not gossip—it’s accountability/seeking help/reporting appropriately
C. Gossip if intent is harmful or it shares private info improperly
D. Depends on tone/context
5. You talk to your boss about a team member’s repeated tardiness, because it affects your work.
A. Gossip
B. Not gossip—it’s accountability/seeking help/reporting appropriately
C. Gossip if intent is harmful or it shares private info improperly
D. Depends on tone/context
6. You say, “Don’t tell anyone I said this, but…” and proceed to share someone’s personal business.
A. Gossip
B. Not gossip—it’s accountability/seeking help/reporting appropriately
C. Gossip if intent is harmful or it shares private info improperly
D. Depends on tone/context
7. After someone leaves a ministry team, you say, “They never really had the right attitude anyway.”
A. Gossip
B. Not gossip—it’s accountability/seeking help/reporting appropriately
C. Gossip if intent is harmful or it shares private info improperly
D. Depends on tone/context
8. You express concern to a church elder about a member’s behavior that may be causing others to stumble.
A. Gossip
B. Not gossip—it’s accountability/seeking help/reporting appropriately
C. Gossip if intent is harmful or it shares private info improperly
D. Depends on tone/context
9. You tell someone, “I’m only sharing this so you know who to be careful around.”
A. Gossip
B. Not gossip—it’s accountability/seeking help/reporting appropriately
C. Gossip if intent is harmful or it shares private info improperly
D. Depends on tone/context
10. You share a story that includes negative details about someone, but you never name them.
A. Gossip
B. Not gossip—it’s accountability/seeking help/reporting appropriately
C. Gossip if intent is harmful or it shares private info improperly
D. Depends on tone/context
11. A friend confesses sin to you, and you tell another person “just to process it.”
A. Gossip
B. Not gossip—it’s accountability/seeking help/reporting appropriately
C. Gossip if intent is harmful or it shares private info improperly
D. Depends on tone/context
12. You write a vague social media post implying someone wronged you, but don’t name them.
A. Gossip
B. Not gossip—it’s accountability/seeking help/reporting appropriately
C. Gossip if intent is harmful or it shares private info improperly
D. Depends on tone/context
13. You vent to a trusted spouse about a conflict you had earlier that day.
A. Gossip
B. Not gossip—it’s accountability/seeking help/reporting appropriately
C. Gossip if intent is harmful or it shares private info improperly
D. Depends on tone/context
14. A group of friends laugh and tell stories about someone’s past mistakes, even though the person isn’t present.
A. Gossip
B. Not gossip—it’s accountability/seeking help/reporting appropriately
C. Gossip if intent is harmful or it shares private info improperly
D. Depends on tone/context
15. You praise someone publicly but privately criticize their motives to others.
A. Gossip
B. Not gossip—it’s accountability/seeking help/reporting appropriately
C. Gossip if intent is harmful or it shares private info improperly
D. Depends on tone/context
Answer Key
1. Correct Answer: C
2. Correct Answer: B
3. Correct Answer: A
4. Correct Answer: B
5. Correct Answer: B
6. Correct Answer: A
7. Correct Answer: A
8. Correct Answer: B
9. Correct Answer: A
10. Correct Answer: D
11. Correct Answer: B
12. Correct Answer: A
13. Correct Answer: B
14. Correct Answer: B
15. Correct Answer: C
Reflection Prompts
1. Which scenarios surprised you the most, and why?
2. Were there any answers you disagreed with? Reflect on your reasoning.
3. What steps can you take to avoid gossip in daily life?
4. How can you lovingly guide others away from gossip when you hear it?