Gossip

Steven Furtick’s recent blog about the ministry of gossip - “I Don’t Want To Hear It” – got me thinking about gossip…

The Bible says:

a gossip betrays a confidence - Prov 11:13

a gossip separates close friends  - Prov 16:28

Why is something so clearly condemned in the Bible so accepted in church?

My quick thoughts about gossip:

- Gossip is not unique to your culture, generation, gender, educational level, social status -- it strikes everywhere.

- Don’t believe everything you hear.

- If you are a gossip, don’t believe everything you say.

- Unfortunately most of us are experts at rationalizing our gossip. Some of my favs:

        “I only tell my closest friends.”

        “I only tell my prayer partners.”

        “I thought he/she already knew.”

        “I think he/she deserves to know.”

        “Don’t worry, he/she will not tell anyone.”

May God help us tame our tongues so we will not betray a confidence or destroy a friendship.

Comments

[Manny Fernandez]

Proverbs also talks of gossip being like a choice morsel. They just taste good and tickle our ears and give us a sense of power that we have been privileged to knowledge that others have not. The big key is self control and humility. Allowing the Spirit to take control and help us to not ask the question that will lead to the gossip or that will help us to restrain ourselves from sharing that special information.

I couldn't agree with you more.

[Miguel Lago]

I'd like to copy a part of this on my multiply site, pastor steve...

[Jonathan Noyes]

What you wrote is so true and we need to remember what gossip does. It only causes pain and heart ache. Thank you for this post and reminding us!

[Forrest Berry]

I recently heard a "secret" defined as "something you only tell one person at a time."