Face it! People gossip. They always have and always will. As early as Leviticus 19:16 we are told not to spread slander and the subject continues through to the New Testament.
We know it is wrong. We have been hurt by the gossip of others, and yet there is not one of us who has never said things about another that has hurt them, or caused them harm.
So, how do we break the chain of gossip?
- Keep your words a constant matter of prayer. Every morning and before conversation with others, pray that God will bless the words coming out of your mouth. Pray that you will only use words that edify and build others up.
- Determine to let the gossip stop with you. Make a personal choice to stay away from negative talk. If you do not repeat what you hear, then it stops with the person who gave you the information.
- Make a decision not to associate with people who talk about others. You may have to confront the person about not gossiping and ask that your conversation steer clear of talking about others. If that doesn’t work, choose to stay away from them.
- Determine to stop gossip as it happens. You may have to say, “I’m not comfortable talking about this right now,” “I don’t want to gossip,” or you may need to excuse yourself from the conversation.
- Respect the privacy of others. If the subject matter does not apply to you or if you would not like others talk about you in this area, then you should not be speaking about it.
- Be a peacemaker. Many times when you hear gossip, you can stop it just by finding the good in the other person or by saying something like, “I really like that person. I’m sure they must have been having a hard day.”
- Show grace. There is not one of us who has never hurt another by our words.
Ephesians 4:29-32 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of god, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Joining Ann in counting our blessings: I thank God for:
The hope that comes from A Risen Lord
A common heartache that led to a renewed friendship
Two embryos implanted :)
Older teenagers that still enjoy Easter egg hunts
A sister who cooked Easter dinner
Coffee with a friend and the sharing of a testimony
Newly bloomed flowers
Joy in the Congo : the joy music brings to a war torn country
Dressing up