16/01/2024
Justified Gossip
Monday | January 15, 2024
Christians know how God feels about gossip because the Bible makes it very plain how much He despises a lying tongue. In fact, He rates it right alongside murderers, thieves, and evildoers for in 1 Peter 4:15 we’re told, “But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters.” Plain and simple - there will be no gossipers in heaven! Jesus Himself said in Matthew 12:36, “But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” Why is it then that so many Christians practice “justified gossip”? This is the art of spreading rumors as long as the gossip begins with: “I am only telling you this so you can pray for them . . .” Most of the time, gossip perpetrators have no idea what they are talking about. They heard the juicy news from someone . . . who heard it from someone . . . who heard it from someone else and so on - and no one ever contacted the actual person being talked about to see if the rumor was even true! Many have never even met the person who is under attack! Some people are even so desperate for people to believe their lies - that they’ll write even a book. Of course that doesn’t make it true - it’s still a book of lies! Character assassination is actually “murder” using a powerful weapon called “words.” Proverbs 16:28 says, “A perverse man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.” Any way you look at it - gossip destroys friendships - especially your friendship with God! God wants His children to love, support, and help each other through life - not tear each other down. When you struggle with the urge to tell something you just heard about someone else - stop and pray the prayer of David in Psalm 141:3, “Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth,” and God will give you the victory over gossip! There is no such thing as “justified gossip.” Call it whatever you like - but God has no tolerance for it! Text: Psalm 34:13, Psalm 19:14, Psalm 52:2, Matthew 12:36-37
© Brenda Walsh Ministries
