Gossip

This is such a vile and insidious problem that is so wide spread many do not even realize that they are doing it. Casual conversations take a sudden wrong turn and before you know it you are gossiping. Gossip can be disguised as a prayer request when in fact you are just dying for a way to share a juicy tidbit and are looking for a way to justify it. Gossip hurts.If you have a problem with someone talk to them about it. If you were told something in confidence keep it to yourself. If you feel you need to ask others to pray about it just ask them to pray for the person without sharing the details. God already knows what the trouble is.
If you gossip you are guilty but you are also causing the one you are gossiping to, to sin. Please take that into consideration.

God's Word has many scriptures about being a gossip. Here are a few I came across this morning...

Proverbs 11:13
A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.

Proverbs 16:28
A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends.

Proverbs 18:8
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts.

Proverbs 20:19
A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much.

Proverbs 26:20
Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.


My friend Glenys who has a wonderful blog has a great post about gossip. You can find it here.

Blessings,
Liisa