Yes. it is. The hurtful malicious type is anyhow. Here are some references; "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." (Ephesians 4:29) "The women of the Church are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything." (1 Timothy 3:11) "For I am afraid that when I come to visit you, I may find slander, gossip, and disorder among you." (2 Corinthians 12:20) "And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful." (Romans 1:28-31) As the author of nearly half of the New Testament, it will be no surprise that the Apostle Paul spoke frequently about the dangers of gossiping. He regularly called it out for what it is—sin! And he did not hesitate to be critical of the practice, regardless of who was doing it. 8/4/24

A willful engagement in evil.