Disclaimer: The following is a fictitious scene that
takes place on a Friday afternoon in a coffee shop, in a city near you.
Becky: “Oh my
goodness! Did you hear what happened to Josh and Marisa?”
Lynn: “What do
you mean? Are they getting a divorce? Girl, tell me the whole scoop.”
Becky: “I
overheard this morning at the hair salon that Josh is cheating on Marisa. You
know, he’s been shady for a while now…the so called bishop. Bishop my foot! I
have more anointing in my toenail than he has in his whole body.”
Lynn: “You know
what? I did hear that. I saw him meeting with some young girl in the parking
lot of IKEA and she looked a hot mess.”
Becky: “Yeah…ole
cheater. And Marisa’s getting a divorce. I saw it for myself. I passed her
going into the district court. She didn’t see me though. Good for her!”
Jennifer: “Hey
ladies. Sorry I’m late for our coffee break. I’ve been helping the Martin’s
with their new business. They are opening up a new business and Josh had to
meet their daughter at IKEA to get the office supplies. Well, I had to take
Marisa to the district court so that they can register the business. God is so
good. I’m so happy for them. So what y’all chatting about?”
(Both Becky and Lynn look at each other in shock.)
Haven’t we all been there? On the receiving end of some
juicy gossip that has nothing to do with nothing, a possible misunderstanding
perhaps. If we are honest with ourselves and honest with the Lord, we all have
partaken in having loose lips, both on the giving and receiving end of gossip. Let
us be honest with one another…gossip hurts! And once its poison has filled a
space, it is difficult to retrieve back the words that have been spoken. But there
remains a question that should be asked: Why do we gossip in the first
place? What is the purpose for gossiping?
Ephesians 4:29 – “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.” (ESV)
The Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary defines gossip as the following: “a person who
habitually reveals personal or sensational facts about others; a rumor or
report of an intimate nature; a chatty talk.” This definition is being placed
here, not to condemn anyone but so that we will know the truth. (Reference:
John 8:32; Ephesians 4:15). This definition refers to someone who makes it a
habit of telling the personal business of others…and unfortunately we all know
those who easily fit into this category all too well. We all need to be
reminded of what gossip is and why it is dangerous.
So let’s tackle the questions I posed earlier: Why do we
gossip in the first place and what is the purpose for gossiping? Let us look at
the last question first. The purpose of gossip is to: defame the character of
another, to tear down someone, to make someone look unfavorable, to cast doubt
on someone, and to also make the gossiper look as if he or she has some inside information
that perhaps no one else has…in other words to glorify self. Lastly, why do we
gossip? I believe the best response I can provide comes from James 3: 5-10 “So also the tongue is a small
member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such
a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue
is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire
course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of
reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no
human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made
in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My
brothers, these things ought not to be so.” (ESV).
Here is the Simple Truth: “2 Corinthians 12: 20-21 “For I
fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may
find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger,
hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. I fear that when I come
again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of
those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality,
and sensuality that they have practiced.” (ESV) My fellow sisters in the faith, let gossip not be named
amongst us as children of the Most High God. Let us repent for speaking ill and
gossiping about others. May our speech be seasoned with only communication that
glorifies our Father in Heaven. Please
listen to the words of Paul as he writes “Be
imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11: 1 (ESV). Lastly, “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness
and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word,
which is able to save your souls.” James 1:21 (KJV)
In Him, our only Hope: Heavenly Father, thank You for
blessing us with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ. We
humbly ask for Your forgiveness for those times when we used our lips to speak
ill of others, to gossip about others, to hear gossip about our brothers and
sisters in Christ. Father God, we ask for Your forgiveness. Help us to be the
Light that shines bright for all the world to see. May we live to give You
glory in our lives and in our speech. In Jesus Christ Name we pray. Amen.
