gos·sip
noun.
Casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details that are not confirmed as being true.
Talk much?
Proverbs 16:28 “A useless person causes trouble and a gossip ruins friendships.”
Ouch.
Guilty as charged. I am sorry to say that I have done this. I’ve also been on the receiving end of gossip. And guess what?
The Bible is right. It does ruin friendships.
As I get older, see more clearly I have seen the damage that gossip inflicts. Sometimes, is out and out gossip–but most of the time, it starts off innocently enough, and slides the slippery slope into gossip.
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)
Gossip is not only damaging to ourselves and others, it also invites drama into our lives. A few years ago, I made a commitment to rooting “drama” out of my life as much as I could.
This means being careful about what I say
- On Facebook – including “vague-booking” JUST SAY NO TO VAGUE-BOOKING
- To my family
- In front of my children (conversations that they may misread included)
- About others –
It’s not easy! I find that I am constantly asking the Lord to guard my lips.
If you’re struggling with the words you say, try asking the Lord to help you develop a mental checklist to help you discern right from wrong. Here’s something I’ve been using to determine whether or not my words are helping or hurting those around me:
Are my words
- Loving?
- Assuming the best rather than the worst?
- True?
- Motivated by jealousy or envy?
- Benefitting the person who is listening to them?
Everyone has said something they know is hurtful. I wonder what our friendships would look like if we truly preferred one another.
Let’s temper our speech with love today.
Let’s leave the gossip to cheap magazines (and then–let’s not buy them.)
Let’s encourage each other, busy mom! We need all the encouragement we can get.
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
I Thessalonians 5:11
Thank you so much for this reminder.
Thanks so much for these words. I slip far more easily than I care to admit into gossip, and I know that no good can come from it.
Amen… Here’s a a verse I like to meditate on regarding this subject
Phil. 4:8 ” whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable … If anything is excellent or praiseworthy … Think on these things”
amazing..God bless