People cannot seem to control the desire to pass on some secret or some juicy bit of gossip. There need be no truth at all in an accusation, but before it can be set straight, the damage is often done.

God demanded at least two witnesses before a judgment would be made in a serious case (Numbers 35:30, Deuteronomy 17:6). Paul told Timothy not to accept an accusation against an elder without at least two witnesses (1 Timothy 5:19). That does not mean that a wrong would not be investigated, but some control could be exerted before a false accusation could cause harm. Question gossip—and get the facts before making a decision.