Post by keeperofthehome on Jan 16, 2009 12:18:13 GMT -5
The phone rang early this morning. As I looked at the caller ID I noticed it was from a friend who is never up at that time of the day unless there is a reason. So I answered with curiosity as to what it could be about. The caller said they were just checking in on us, but within 2 minutes of the call they said the words that made my heart heavy and my stomach sink..."I have to call such-&-such back but I will have gossip about them later today." Ok, let me first note something here...I have never met this person that my friend was speaking of. They know them from a friendship in the past. Secondly, why on earth would I want to know whatever this 'gossip' is about a person I don't know. Thirdly, whatever the 'news' is that my friend wants to share is really none of my business or concern. Even if I did know this person, I don't want to know the "scoop" on things. I have my own life to take care of, I don't need someone else to dump another person's issue on me. (Maybe that sounds crass but that's my thoughts.)
Gossip can be defined as...
*chitchat: light informal conversation for social occasions
*dish the dirt: wag one's tongue; speak about others and reveal secrets or intimacies;
*a report (often malicious) about the behavior of other people;
*chew the fat: talk socially without exchanging too much information;
*a person given to gossiping and divulging personal information about others
Or in plain terms, one who has gotten out of people secrets about themselves and their families, and then goes about telling their tales from house to house, to the great detriment of those whose secrets they have been entrusted with.
Society usually places the gossip label on women. Granted I will agree that women are prone to this disease but they are not the only ones who have been found guilty of this sin. In the book of Romans, Paul was speaking of those who turned away from GOD'S law, instruction & guidance, but the truth remains the same today...Romans 1:29-32 Amplified "Until they were filled (permeated and saturated) with every kind of unrighteousness, iniquity, grasping and covetous greed, and malice. [They were] full of envy and jealousy, murder, strife, deceit and treachery, ill will and cruel ways. [They were] secret backbiters and gossipers, Slanderers, hateful to and hating God, full of insolence, arrogance, [and] boasting; inventors of new forms of evil, disobedient and undutiful to parents. [They were] without understanding, conscienceless and faithless, heartless and loveless [and] merciless.Though they are fully aware of God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve to die, they not only do them themselves but approve and applaud others who practice them." Gossip is a serious sin, the above passage of scripture clearly tells us that.
Not only is gossip a sin, it is a dangerous and hurtful game. Let's look at what Proverbs 11:12-13 says about it, "He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace. A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter." Many friendships or other relationships have been destroyed over gossip. Proverbs 16:28 "A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends."
Engaging in this type of behavior does nothing but stir up trouble and cause anger and bitterness, not to mention hurt, among friends. Sadly, some people thrive on this and look for opportunities to destroy others. When such people are confronted, they deny the allegations and answer with excuses and rationalizations. Rather than admit wrong, they blame someone or something else, or attempt to make it sound like the sin committed isn't so bad. Proverbs 18:7-8 "A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly."
We must guard our tongues and refrain from the sinful act of gossip, this not only means the act of spreading gossip but the act of listening to it (Luke 8:18 "Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.") If we surrender to the Lord, He will help us to remain righteous. God rewards the just and the righteous, so we should all strive to remain as such. Proverbs 21:23 "Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles."
~Blessings & Love From The Heart~