Gossip, oh how it sucks us right in sometimes. I know at one point we have all been gossiped about or maybe we have even been the gossiper. Gossip is so insidious and it creeps in between relationships in your personal, work and church life. So I just wanted to share some thoughts on gossip and what God says about it.
God has given us a voice to bless and encourage others with, not tear them down and slander them. Romans 1:28 says "Since they didn't think it was worthwhile to acknowledge God, God abandoned them to a defective mind to do inappropriate things." The people spoken about in this passage are listed under gossips, slanderers, and haters of God. A lot of people use their words for deceit, pride, malice, slander, and unloving things. God created us to use our words to encourage, build up and love one another.
God says gossip is a sin no matter what. Often times it is disguised as "Oh I have this prayer request" and then people proceed to tear down the afflicted and share it with everyone. Or "I'm only saying this because I care and want you to know". We have to be careful that we only share true prayer requests with trusted prayer partners and our close family and not fall into that trap of gossiping.
In Proverbs 6 there are seven things that God hates which include: Haughty eyes, wicked plans, false witness, spreading strife, and feet that run rapidly to evil. When you think about it haughty eyes are one of the main foundations of gossip. They know something you don't and they are so proud of that and they feel the need to make it known. Wicked plans are the exact definition of gossip. Gossip is intended to tear down and slander someone else. Gossip is meant to destroy people's reputations. People who gossip want who you have in your life and can't have them or they want what you have and can't have it. They resort to trying to destroy you and what you have because of jealousy. A false witness plays a key role in gossiping. Nine times out of ten there are untruths involved in gossiping because it is passed along the grapevine and people add lib to make the story more dramatic. Gossiping spreads strife in churches, the work place, home and friendships. So many relationships are destroyed by gossip and malice. We may think that by gossiping we aren't being feet who run rapidly to evil, but how quickly do we run to the computer or phone when we hear a story to tell others without even thinking twice? All of the things listed that God hates tie right into gossiping!
You cannot gossip about someone and love them at the same time. There is no way we can truly walk in the spirit saying we worship God and slander people with the same mouth. People who gossip only want to pull people down to their level or express anger and hostility without confrontation. It is extremely cowardly to go about things in that way. When people gossip it reveals the true hate and jealousy they have in their hearts. Gossiping indicates a heart issue and is brought to full light when people tear others down. Gossip pushes Godly people away and destroys fellowship.
It is better to walk through the fire than be the one who started it. I personally have lived through this as for the past 10 years people have constantly tried to tear me down, spread rumors, and destroy my reputation. God has given me the grace to forgive those people and press onward towards what He has for me. He will bless you just like He has blessed me for enduring the fire with grace and forgiveness. God only puts us through the flames to refine and purify us, so please remember that next time someone is putting the heat to you. Also when the true heat is applied, the truth always comes out just like impurities come out of gold when it is put through the fire. You are priceless.
In conclusion God has given us mouths and voices only to edify and encourage others, so this is a call to stop the gossiping and start building each other up and praying for each other. We should use our voices to bring God joy and should never use them to cut people down. EVER.
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