“The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.” Proverbs 18:8
The sin of gossip is everywhere, and it is in the church. We can't seem to get away from it. We are either the ones gossiping or we are the ones being gossiped about. It is a prevalent and poisonous sin that many times is not dealt with. It is one of the “respectable sins” Jerry Bridges deals with in his book Respectable Sins, and the sin of gossip is thoroughly covered in a new book called Resisting Gossip by Matthew Mitchell.
Our words have power and they can bring death or life to our relationships.Our words have power and they can bring death or life to our relationships. Matthew Mitchell defines gossip as, “bearing bad news behind someone's back out of a bad heart.” He gives a clearer understanding of the last phrase in that definition, “out of a bad heart” by sharing, “we gossip because our sinful hearts are attracted to bad stories like moths to a flame.”
I can be assured that everyone reading this post has been guilty of partaking in this sin. This is an area of struggle for me, and the Lord continues to convict and challenge me in this sinful area of my walk with Him. I desire to talk in a way that is pleasing to Him, and sharing information about others that is unkind or unnecessary is not very honoring to the Lord or very loving towards others. Our words are important and as the Bible says, they are revealing our heart:
“The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45
How can we begin to be women who walk in integrity and honor the Lord with our speech? How can we get over the notion that we have to know every little detail about everything? Love protects others. Love protects their reputations, forgives wrongs, does not grumble against someone in jealousy, does not complain and criticize others, does not murmur about someone else behind their back, protects and defends others if they overhear gossip in a conversation and doesn't meddle in other people's business.
There may be situations that arise in your church, whether it is personal family issues or an issue of discipline that you do not have the right to know all the details about. You need to trust those the Lord has placed in authority to deal with those situations and not be a busybody speculating or complaining about areas you were not meant to be involved.
We do not need to be involved in everyone's conflicts. Many times we only have one side of the story, and we rush and make judgments without having full knowledge.
Some Ways to Help Resist Gossip
1. Think before you speak.
2. Don't make judgments when you only have one side of the story.
3. Assume the best.
4. Don't sinfully judge others.
“- Is this my place? – Is this my job? -Am I part of this situation? What part? -Is judging this person my calling, my responsibility?” ~Resisting Gossip
5. Check your own heart before you speak about others.
Replacing Gossip
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” ~ Ephesians 4:29
1. I'm coming back to the silence one again – say nothing.
2. Stop complaining and look for ways to build others up.
3. When you have an issue with someone, deal directly with them.
“Never about, always to.” ~Amy Carmichael
4. Speak words that will benefit those who are listening.
5. Share what the Lord is doing in your life.
“Instead of gossiping you could: – Tell a good story – Teach something useful, – Tell a funny joke, – Talk about the weather, – Share a joy of yours, – Or share a loving concern for someone so that you can help him or her.” ~ Resisting Gossip
In Closing
We cannot take our words back once they have left our mouths, and James reminds us our tongue is like a fire that can set a forest ablaze (James 3:5-6). We need to carefully choose our words and not just blurt out everything we think or feel. May we seek the Lord for His wisdom and grace in our speech.
When we ask the Lord to guard our mouths we don't have to live with the regret of poorly chosen words that may have caused irreversible damage to others. Pray and ask the Lord to help us be women who speak words that give life to others. May our words be kind and encouraging. May they truly reflect the work of the Lord Jesus in our hearts.
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” ~Psalm 19:14
I love this! So so true that gossip is a problem, and you gave some really practical tips for not falling into it. Thank you for sharing!
Marci, thanks for your frankness. I am looking for a good testimony about the struggle with gossip, how hard it is to change. Have you written more on this?
This is amazing Marci, so well put. I have been on both ends of the gossip chain and every time I participate in it I walk away feeling so rotten. It can be very awkward sometimes to withdrawl and stop the gossiping when you find yourself in the midst of it. But well worth it for our long-term goals of being a godly woman!
Blessings,
Nicole @ WKH