Proverbs 11:13 "Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered."
Who doesn't like some juicy gossip from time to time right? Wrong! Gossip is defined as idle, trivial or chatty talk or rumor especially about a persons private life. A gossip is one who habitually spreads intimate or private rumors or facts. All of us have gossiped or do gossip from time to time...then, we get the infamous check from the Spirit of God saying " You shouldn't have said that...or shared that!" Right? If we would only resist the temptation to gossip and instead listen to the gentle loving prick from the Spirit of God then everything would be just fine! If gossip is not nipped quickly it can turn into slander. Slander takes gossip a step further and speaks things that are not true, with the intent to damage the reputation of another. Slander takes what you see and hear and makes up false accusations without knowing the truth. Both are a sin...in fact, they are one of the 7 sins that God lists in Proverbs 6:16-19 as the sins that God hates. To hate means, to loathe,despise or detest. God hates a false witness who spreads lies. He also hates a person who stirs up conflict in the community. Yikes! If God hates it...we should stay as far away from "IT" as possible...right?
SO...why is it so hard for us to resist spreading news whether it be true or false? Why do we (women) tend to be the ones to gossip and slander? Don't we have anything better to talk about? I'm not sure why we do...apart from lack of self-control...but, here are a few tips that I've found helpful in knocking out gossip...
-When someone starts to gossip — change the subject, or better yet...stop and pray for the one being gossiped about!
-If you are not part of the problem or part of the solution, stay out of it!
Who doesn't like some juicy gossip from time to time right? Wrong! Gossip is defined as idle, trivial or chatty talk or rumor especially about a persons private life. A gossip is one who habitually spreads intimate or private rumors or facts. All of us have gossiped or do gossip from time to time...then, we get the infamous check from the Spirit of God saying " You shouldn't have said that...or shared that!" Right? If we would only resist the temptation to gossip and instead listen to the gentle loving prick from the Spirit of God then everything would be just fine! If gossip is not nipped quickly it can turn into slander. Slander takes gossip a step further and speaks things that are not true, with the intent to damage the reputation of another. Slander takes what you see and hear and makes up false accusations without knowing the truth. Both are a sin...in fact, they are one of the 7 sins that God lists in Proverbs 6:16-19 as the sins that God hates. To hate means, to loathe,despise or detest. God hates a false witness who spreads lies. He also hates a person who stirs up conflict in the community. Yikes! If God hates it...we should stay as far away from "IT" as possible...right?
SO...why is it so hard for us to resist spreading news whether it be true or false? Why do we (women) tend to be the ones to gossip and slander? Don't we have anything better to talk about? I'm not sure why we do...apart from lack of self-control...but, here are a few tips that I've found helpful in knocking out gossip...
-Do not associate yourself with one who is a known gossip.
-When someone starts to gossip — change the subject, or better yet...stop and pray for the one being gossiped about!
-If you are not part of the problem or part of the solution, stay out of it!
-If you have fallen into the bad habit of gossiping — ask God to change your heart
-When you have been the victim of gossip — confront the parties in love that spread the rumor.
When you
choose not to gossip and talk about others you have clear communion with
God…for gossip and slander are sins which breaks fellowship with God. We all need
to steer clear from gossip like a plague…We need to
think before we speak…think before we share! We need to
ask ourselves; "How would this person feel if they were standing right here?” Would they be hurt? Even if
what you are sharing is true…be careful how and with whom you share.
I like what Billy Graham said; " A real Christian is a person who can give his pet parrot to the town gossip."
If we want to be "real" Christians then we are to steer clear of any gossip...for if we don't gossip it can't be repeated! Let's seek to be pure untainted by the lies that gossip can breed. Let's not fuel the flames of gossip by not stoking the fire, but instead be pure in heart. Jesus said in Matthew 5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" Do you want to see God? Then keep your heart pure!
I like what Billy Graham said; " A real Christian is a person who can give his pet parrot to the town gossip."
If we want to be "real" Christians then we are to steer clear of any gossip...for if we don't gossip it can't be repeated! Let's seek to be pure untainted by the lies that gossip can breed. Let's not fuel the flames of gossip by not stoking the fire, but instead be pure in heart. Jesus said in Matthew 5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" Do you want to see God? Then keep your heart pure!
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