Gossip & It’s Destructive Force

Scrutiny… it’s just another word for gossip. Why? Because we are under the eyes of a scrutinizer. When we start out our conversations do they end up scrutinizing someone for their behavior? But in actuality, we are the ones that are behaving in a un-godly fashion. 

By gossiping, we are allowing the foothold of the enemy in our thoughts and words. If there is anyone who thinks that they are above gossiping, it is not the truth. The truth is that everyone is someone’s judge. We judge other people’s actions and think our ways are better. But are they? Maybe in each person’s sight, we are a vehicle for their wrath.  We need to check in on what we are doing as well. Not one is free from this and we all do some sort of judging. But when it’s taken to a place where it could severely damage someone’s reputation then this needs to stop.

Proverbs 18:8

The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;

    they go down to the inmost parts.

Gossip destroys relationships

One person may say one thing and a fire is let loose in it’s path, others get on board. Now you have a flame that’s out of control over something that could have been resolved just by a conversation to clarify everything.

Proverbs 26:20 

Without wood a fire goes out;

    without a gossip, a quarrel dies down.

Many families & friendships split because there are divisions that were misunderstood and “me” focused. “Look what they did to me?” -“Why did they say that to me?” Are just a few of things that can get blown out of proportion. Something misunderstood could be quite simple and pride rears its ugly head. Learning to let go is better than harping on it or blowing it out of context, like the storm that brings in the rough surf. No control just damaging waves.

Proverbs 16:28 

A perverse person stirs up conflict,

    and a gossip separates close friends.

Gossip prevents us from relationships

When you gossip and someone finds out you break confidence and trust. Now what seemed to be a good relationship is on edge with how much you will reveal. The lesson is this, if someone is gossiping to you, they are gossiping about you. So be careful who you let into your deep thoughts.

Proverbs 11:13 

A gossip betrays a confidence,

    but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.

Gossip just hurts

If someone finds out that things were revealed to someone else that’s hurtful and can really take time for someone else to regain trust again. Sadly the lesson is learned in a hurtful way. You lose confidence in someone you thought you had trust in.

1 Corinthians 2:15 

The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments,

Gossip does nothing but hurt others, puts wedges between people and many times is not healthy. Ultimately God is our judge, it is He who judges us and our actions. Trust God, pray for everything.

Shalom

Nancy

The Christian Writer

Gossip & Slander

Proverbs 17:4

 Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip;
liars pay close attention to slander.

In our lifetime there are many of us that just love to lean in to gossip[, they love the thought of saying bad things about other people and find joy in doing just that. But when I think back about the things I may have said or listened to I get sick to my stomach.

There is no joy in talking bad about others, if people think that just because someone did something they didn’t agree with is cause to hurt or slander others then shame on them, because you know as much as you would slander someone else or get caught up in a conversation saying unkind words about a good person or even if they aren’t good, it’s going to effect you in the long run.

Yes, you can stumble, people can talk about you too. Do you live in such a perfect world that you are untouchable by words of slander? NO, everyone has an opportunity to turn the other way and here is how you can prevent this from happening:

~When the whispering begins, walk away. People will think you are a snob but you are preventing a landslide when you do this.

~Choose not to be part of ganging up on someone, instead just say, I don’t want to talk about this, either change the subject or exit.

You will always be faced with this opportunity to talk bad or gossip about anyone else, but stop, think of how your words can travel right back to that person in an indirect way. Sometimes what we say gets misinterpreted and we are then the victim of a hurt, upset, situation.

Think first of how the person would receive these words and stop yourself from being a part of a very unkind situation.Blessings on your day and hoping you will be refreshed in knowing we can always go to Christ with this sin.

#nancysabato.com