Gossip, it doesn’t seem too bad when it gets going, maybe it starts out harmless or that it’s just critiquing someone’s behavior, that person might say that didn’t sound too gossipy, I meant well, I was only telling the truth, says the gossiper. But is it really the truth?
But what are the consequences of gossip?
Proverbs 18:8
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
they go down to the inmost parts.
And those choice morsels hurt people.
Some of the ways that gossip cannot only impair their lack of respect for someone else but also their insecurity about themselves.
First it shows the gossiper doesn’t know the full story, do you know why that person behaved the way they did?
It shows that the person has no love for that person, is that what Christ wants us to reflect?
It shows pride, gossiper is right, they are wrong.
This causes a person to stumble.
Misunderstanding is a big gossip tool and can cause a person to lose relationships with others because a malice tongue rides over the truth. Divisions because “You Think” you heard someone say or do something. A person would have to dig him or herself out of a ditch because of the misunderstanding that was spoken about.
Proverbs 20:19
A gossip betrays a confidence;
so avoid anyone who talks too much.
Then there is a person you may have confided in, there is nothing worse for a human than having spilled out your inner most thoughts and then hears about that through someone else. That divides many and leaves no trust for that person again and could take many relationships before that person can open up to someone else.
Proverbs 11:13
A gossip betrays a confidence,
but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.
The fact is gossip destroys relationships and people will avoid the gossip. In fact many times people will make friends with a gossiper so they can tune into who that person is talking about now to make sure they aren’t being gossiped about.
Bitterness is at the root of this mouth infested evil.
What a never-ending circle that is.
Proverbs 16:28
A perverse person stirs up conflict,
and a gossip separates close friends.
Let’s face it; gossip separates not only people from each other, but also the gossiper from God. Jesus commanded us to love each other not talk bad about others to make ourselves look better or keep eyes off us. Our actions to Jesus speak louder than even the gossip’s words. Don’t be part of this, if you hear someone bad mouthing someone else, change the subject! Don’t get involved.
Proverbs 26:20
Without wood a fire goes out;
without a gossip a quarrel dies down.
If you know someone is going to gossip and you will be around him or her, pray. Ask God for help in that situation. God knows the hearts and minds of all and will always be available in times of stress and need. So put your trust in Him and focus on being the person He has called you to be.
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Source by Nancy Sabato
