3:10 Gossip Girl (and Boy)

#faithbites #faithjourney gossip

Did you hear about so and so? Man, they are doing a crappy job. Well, did you hear that so and so was doing you know what with you know who?

Gossip is our topic today. We all do it and we are all guilty. Sometimes, it helps us blow off steam so we can redirect and address problems. Other times, we use it to hurt others and spread around information without any intention to solve the situation.

Before you gossip, remember there are three people involved. You are sharing it, someone else is listening and doing who knows what with it, and the third person who is being talked about. They get hurt when it eventually comes around and it always comes back to them.

Venting is needed, gossip is destructive

Scripture

• Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. – Ephesians 4:29
• Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. – James 1:26
• Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues. – Proverb 10:19

Reflection

Gossiping is easy. We want to tall about others and share what we know. We increase our gossiping when we’ve been hurt, wronged, or angered. The problem is, we aren’t addressing the problem the right way.

Our words should be used to build up, comfort, instruct, and help others. Gossiping is the opposite of that. We need to hold our tongues, pray, think, confide, then make changes and address the situation.

I have seen so many hurt by those they care about because of gossip. Our lives are hard enough without talking bad about each other. Again, we all need to vent sometimes, but that should fuel us to action, not more gossip.

Challenge

Have an issue with someone? Talk to them. Need to vent? Vent to a friend to help you come up with a plan.

Prayer

Lord, we all know that words can be disastrous. When we use our words to tear down, rather than build up, we are going against your plan. Help us to use our words constructively and to improve loves rather than destructively and break down relationships. Lord, we need your guidance and support as we balance our feelings, the feelings of others, and how to show your love through our actions. Help us in all that we do. In your name, Amen.