Stop the Gossip

Gossip. It takes place in the workplace, church, social, and home environments. Despite many of us growing up with the age-old adage, “If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all,” we all are guilty of taking part in Gossip. It can be very addictive and an easy conversation trap to fall into. It can even be cloaked as a “prayer request”.

Here is an example of gossip cloaked in a prayer request:

“We need to pray for Mary.

She’s having a hard time in her marriage.

You know about her husband, right?

Lord, we pray for Tom because he is not providing for Mary. Etc.”

That’s not appropriate. Can you spot the Gossip? It’s juicy. How about this instead?

“We need to pray for Mary. Lord, help her and her husband, in Jesus’ name.”

Maybe you know the details, but you do not need to share them with others. Not everyone needs to know the details.

It doesn’t matter if gossip is true or not. It is something Christians are told to avoid. Gossip hurts people, damages reputations, shatters relationships and breaks the bonds of trust. Spreading bad news, other’s sins or falsehoods, is really a reflection of what is in your heart. Put off gossip, and instead speak things that are kind, lovely, and of good report. (Phil 4:8)

Paul spoke about gossip and slander when he said:

“For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults..” 2 Corinthians 12:20

“And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.” (NKJV) 1 Timothy 5:13

Sentences leading to Gossip start out innocently enough:

“Did you hear…”

“Guess what?…”

“You will never guess what I heard…”

“You should really listen to what happened…”

“Did you know….”

There is one thing that puts a stop to Gossip. WISDOM.

“Gossip Dies When It Hits A Wise Person’s Ears.”

A wise person will put a stop to gossip of any kind. A wise person will ask:

T = Is It TRUE?

H = Is it HELPFUL?

I = Is it INSPIRING

N = Is it Necessary?

K = is it KIND?

“Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.” – Proverbs 4:5

Commit to being a person committed to positive and kind conversation.

“To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.” Titus 3:2

He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.” – Psalms 15:2-3