1 Feb, 2011
Gossip
Call it what you will, it's still wrong
I was flipping through a magazine last week when I came across an article entitled “Have You Heard?” The tagline stated, “Admit it, you love a good piece of gossip. Here’s why it’s not as bad a habit as you may think.” The article went on to justify passing along hearsay and listening eagerly to someone else’s dish, and encouraging the reader to virtually ignore the twinge of guilt that accompanies these juicy conversations. Its author cites the upside of gossip with points such as releasing good chemicals in the brain and bonding with others, and statistics outlined the fact that both men and women gossip equally, though often in different ways or over different subject matter.
Proverbs 11:13
“A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.”
James 3:9-11
“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?”
What does God’s Story scripture teach us about gossip?
Gossip is an easy trap to fall into, and it’s difficult to turn away when someone else starts to gossip. But the Bible has much to say about gossip being hurtful and wrong. Numerous Proverbs warn against it. The New Testament writers refer to gossipers in the same breath as God-haters and evil-doers. And if you have ever been the subject of rumors or unconfirmed information, you understand how wounding gossip can be. It doesn’t matter if it makes you feel good for a moment, as the magazine said. That twinge of guilt is there for a reason: God tells us that gossip is wrong.How can I connect today’s God’s Story scripture to my life?
- Check yourself: Do you ever find yourself passing along information that is not yours to share? Do you listen in on conversations about others who are not present? Even if you don’t speak, do you allow others to gossip to you?
- Ask God for the conviction to know when to stop speaking gossip, or to stop listening to it.
How can I connect today’s God’s Story scripture and my story to others?
The next time you find yourself tempted to gossip or in the midst of an inappropriate conversation, stop, think, and excuse yourself. Tell your companions, “I’m sorry, but we really shouldn’t be gossiping.” Dare to be the one to do the right thing, though it may be a daily battle.- May 2012 [14]
- April 2012 [19]
- March 2012 [21]
- February 2012 [19]
- January 2012 [18]
- December 2011 [20]
- November 2011 [15]
- October 2011 [15]
- September 2011 [14]
- August 2011 [22]
- July 2011 [19]
- June 2011 [21]
- May 2011 [20]
- April 2011 [20]
- March 2011 [21]
- February 2011 [20]
- January 2011 [21]
- December 2010 [21]
- November 2010 [21]
- October 2010 [21]
- September 2010 [22]
- August 2010 [21]
- July 2010 [22]
- June 2010 [20]
- May 2010 [18]
- April 2010 [20]
- March 2010 [23]
- February 2010 [19]
- January 2010 [22]
- December 2009 [22]
- November 2009 [21]
- October 2009 [22]
- September 2009 [21]
- August 2009 [20]
- July 2009 [21]
- June 2009 [22]
- May 2009 [18]
- April 2009 [15]
- March 2009 [7]
- February 2009 [17]
- January 2009 [20]
- December 2008 [23]
- November 2008 [19]
- October 2008 [22]
- September 2008 [22]
- August 2008 [19]
- July 2008 [22]
- June 2008 [11]
- May 2008 [19]
- April 2008 [22]
- March 2008 [21]
- February 2008 [18]
- January 2008 [20]
- December 2007 [18]
- November 2007 [15]
- October 2007 [19]
- September 2007 [18]
- August 2007 [12]
- July 2007 [12]
- June 2007 [9]
- May 2007 [11]
- April 2007 [10]
- March 2007 [11]
- February 2007 [14]
- January 2007 [7]
- December 2006 [4]
- November 2006 [13]
- October 2006 [17]
- September 2006 [11]
- August 2006 [16]
- July 2006 [10]
- June 2006 [3]
