Gossip = Damage

     In Proverbs 26, one finds the biblical opinion of gossip and its end results.  We read that the intention of gossip is generally to hurt others while making the person telling it seem above it all.  Proverbs 26:20 NIV:  "Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down."  When we gossip, we are deepening the quarrel, making it worse.

 

     Gossip has started wars and brought down powerful people.  You can imagine what it can do to you.  What one of us has not been gossiped about?  Keep this in mind when you spread gossip about others:  you rarely pass on the gossip without adding wood to the fire with fresh tidbits of slander or debauchery. 

     Gossip hurts...that's its intention.  Proverbs 26:22 NIV states, "The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts."  They go deep inside the person aimed at causing great mental anguish.  Also, there is hate behind the gossip and Proverbs 26:28 NIV tells us "A lying tongue hates those it hurts..."

 

     Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe one of the foremost tenets of our Lord is to love, not hate.  Love without exception.  Lying?  Throw that one out of your house immediately.  Being a Christian is love, without condition, compassion without condition, forgiveness without condition, being a servant to your fellow man without condition...among all other good things.

    

     So, my fellow saint, when you gossip, how many teachings of our Lord Jesus are you going against?  I have only named a few, but one is too many.  Replace the negative hurt and hate of gossip with the positive of love that heals.  Luke 6:31 NIV:  "Do to others as you would have them do to you."  I end with Luke 6:41 NIV:  "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"  We all have the opportunity to practice the last passage every day.  Remember, being a good example glorifies our Father.