Psss… I have a Gossip to tell You~

Introduction;

With only just 4 verses from the Bible, the introduction seems to be enough for me to convince you that the Lord doesn’t like a gossiper. They are like a person who creates the smoke in which other people assume there’s fire.

“A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best friends.” (Proverbs 16:28)

“Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart.” (Proverbs 18:8)

“A gossip goes around telling secrets, so don’t hang around with chatterers.” (Proverbs 20:19)

“Fire goes out without wood, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.” (Proverbs 26:20)

Few days ago, I talked with a long lost friend in my village. He asked me very challenging questions,“Why my grandma still spread rumors even though she always goes to Church every Sunday? Right after she went out from the Church, she straightaway gossips about others! Why?”

I replied, “I don't know... maybe because she’s not a matured Christian.”

Indeed, a matured person, I don’t care either you’re a believer or not, should know that gossiping is dangerous to both the victims and the spreaders. I know that it’s fun to gossip. It makes us feel like we’re letting others in on our little secrets. Gossip is that which no one claims to like – but everybody enjoys. For example, everyone loves to be in on the latest news. My mother like to watch a local entertainment TV show called Melodi at TV3 every weekend just to get the latest news about today’s artists hot issues. (I was addicted to it too!)

The problem with gossip is that it based on rumors, not facts. The intention of gossip is usually to damage someone’s reputation instead of building it up. Gossip cost more damage than rape cases and murder cases combine! Gossip separates friends, causes much hurt, and puts you in a position to judge others. Gossip also reveals people’s secrets. Frank A. Clark once writes, “Gossip needn’t be false to be evil – there’s a lot of truth that shouldn’t be passed around.”

So what can you do if you’re tempted (which I always fall into) by the gossipers to join in their ‘party’? Here are some practical steps that can be helpful:

·        Stop it by changing the subject (It’s 95% works!),

·        Saying something nice about the person being targeted,

·        Simply stop hang around with ‘troublemakers’, (If you have to eat lunch alone, have less friends or accuse as a ‘freak’; don’t be ashamed! It is much better to do it than to spreading gossip!)

·        Ask him or her – this important question, “Have you talk to them about this matter personally?” If they say, “No” refuse to listen and let them continue.

If you don’t add gasoline to the fire, the fire will go out. So it is with gossips, it will cease once you stop spreading its wings. let the gossip end with you, don't spread it! 1 Peter 3:10 warned us,

“The Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies.”

THINK BIG Gossip is hazardous! It’s dangerous! It can kill!

START SMALL Share the Gospel instead of share the Gossip.

GO DEEP Oh man, God hate gossipers!