Talebearing is not a spiritual force like fear or doubt. Rather it is part of the processes by which opposing spiritual forces work against us to defeat our prayers and the prayers of others. Unfortunately, talebearing is far too common a practice.

You shall not go up and down as a talebearer among your people: neither shall you take a stand against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord. (Leviticus 19:16)

What is talebearing? Talebearing is telling of the unrighteousness, foolishness, or untrustworthiness of another. It is revealing private information of another. It is telling something about a person that would cause a hearer to measure that person as unrighteous, foolish, untrustworthy, etc.. Talebearing frequently includes overstating the truth (exaggeration) or understating the truth (belittling). Usually this is an exaggeration of another’s bad thing and belittling another’s good thing - and this reveals some of the underlying nature of talebearing.

He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is trustworthy conceals a matter. (Proverbs 11:13)

He that goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets: therefore associate not with him who flatters with his lips. (Proverbs 20:19)

The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. (Proverbs 18:8, 26:22)

A false man sows strife: and a talebearer separates even the closest friends. (Proverbs 16:28)

Where no wood is, there the fire goes out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceases. (Proverbs 26:20)

Where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. (James 3:16)

Talebearing is rooted in pride, self-righteousness, unforgiveness, fault-finding, selfishness  (exalting oneself at the cost of another), self-glorification, envy, doubt, and distrust. A person who practices talebearing sows corrupt spiritual seed - tares - which work against the kingdom of God, his righteousness, their prayer, and the prayers of those around them - especially those who listen to the tales told.

Where there is no talebearer, strife ceases. Talebearing sows corrupt spiritual seed that gives rise to strife, division, discord, distrust, confusion, and every evil work. The corrupt spiritual seed a talebearer sows are able to cause division, discord, and distrust among the closest friends.

Talebearing’s corrupt seed of distrust works against the trust in God we need to receive from him in prayer. It works to cause confusion which works against our hearing and understanding  instruction in how to pray. Everything in which talebearing is rooted and which it brings forth works against our prayer. We have what we ask in prayer when we obey God and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. Talebearing is not pleasing in God’s sight.