I’m from the south, born and raised, along with many generations before me. And I can tell you, there are few things we love in the south more than sweet tea, football, and God. We southerns are known for our slower talking and our hospitality. And yes, while most of us do know our manners, there’s a trait we all have that isn’t so Christian-like. Most of us gossip like there’s no tomorrow. I’m sure you’ve heard the saying that if you do something worth mentioning on Saturday night, everyone knows about it by church on Sunday morning.
“Destructive people produce conflict; gossips alienate close friends.”
And in Matthew 12:36-37 CEB:
“I tell you that people will have to answer on Judgment Day for every useless word they speak. By your words you will either be judged innocent of condemned as guilty.”
Gossiping has no purpose. No good has ever come from it, besides making you temporarily feel better, and isn’t that quite selfish, to talk about others solely for your benefit? We all know we’re supposed to “…love your neighbor as you love yourself.” (Matthew 19:19 CEB), but how can we love them if we’re busy talking about them? What if, instead of gossiping about others, we concentrated more on loving them, wouldn’t that be more beneficial?
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About a sweet guest
Love this!
I just posted kind of about the same thing – http://www.eatenjoylive.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/embrace.html
I need to gossip, and I know its bad. I’m always reminding myself that if I need to gossip about others I must be a pretty boring person!
Thank you for this Jana. It’s easy to get sucked into gossip. It’s so important that God calls us to live above it.
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Thank you for the reminder, Jana. I work in a small office and, unfortunately, our supervisor is the office gossip. I’ve been trying very hard not to engage her when she starts and it’s good to have the biblical encouragement not to spread the tales she tells.
AMEN!! Gossip is the sweetest poison, that is for sure.
I love this especially because it is such a common problem, but not one we ever want to admit we engage in. Thank you for making me check myself today! xo
Kristin recently posted..the gentleman//he holds the door
couldn’t have spoken truer words. i make a point in my life NOT to talk about people, to other people, unless i would say it to them directly. this act got me into a lot of trouble in my school days and it just ain’t worth it.
thanks for the reinforcement!
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This is certainly a sin that can lure us gals into it. I’d much rather love than participate. Especially when reminded so beautiful as with your post.
It is SO easy to get sucked into gossip. It’s a fine line between communicating something with someone about another person or just flat out gossiping. I definitely struggle with it– and your challenge to love instead of gossip is great!
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