is it really Gossip?

There I was sitting in my hair dresser's chair reading one of my books that I'm just in love with right now, "A Table for One" (more on why I like this book so much later) Well, I was sitting there minding my own business when I just realized I have been reading page 27 for like 20 minutes and I have no clue what I just read! You see my hair stylist and two other stylist were all talking about someone that did something to someone yesterday. This certain person is not working today so this is why they are talking so freely about them. Then I started thinking about this person. I honestly, don't have any idea who this person is! I felt really bad for this person. The fact that their co-workers were saying things behind their back. So this is what Gossip is? And this is why this particular blog has taken me THIS long to actually write. Because I feel so convicted about doing the same thing! Gossip! plain, ugly gossip. In The Hebrew word translated “gossip” in the Old Testament is defined as “one who reveals secrets, one who goes about as a talebearer or scandal-monger.” A gossiper is a person who has privileged information about people and proceeds to reveal that information to those who have no business knowing it. Is this me? A scandal-monger?! In the Book Of Ephesians Paul writes, "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers." (Ephesians 3:9-10) Instead of asking what is gossip? Or maybe a better question is what is really sinful in God's eyes? I'd suppose the basis for the matter of gossip is the commandment to not "bear false witness against your neighbor". Granted I'm not conducting proper exegesis, but it makes sense. Biblically - there are verses I wouldn't know how to look for at the moment (hey-I'm sleep deprived!) that say first of all to say something to your neighbor if you see that he is "sinning". God told Ezekial that he was to warn people of their sinfulness, whether they listened or not, because if he didn't speak the other person's sin was "on Ezekial's head". Most important though is that God looks upon the heart. God KNOWS who is truly upright and who is not. From that aspect - I'd say that if you're trying to find out enough about a "leader" to know whether or not he is trustworthy, or trying to warn someone of a leader that you know is NOT trustworthy, motive is what counts. I am going to stick to what I have been told since I was in pre-school. If you don't have anything nice to say about someone then don't say it at all!