Gossipping tongue

10-August 2011 Gossipping tongue

 

 Gossip means A person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts.Rumor or report of an intimate nature. (Webster’s Dictionary)

             Basically, gossip is a destructive need for personal satisfaction, making a person feels good about himself by destroying the character and reputation of another. When we gossip, or even participate in gossip, we are actively and voluntarily engaging in a destructive purpose, characterizing , which is equal to murder and theft.  Gossiping and lying  often go hand in hand.

            You know “misery loves company.”  Some people cannot stand the thought of someone else succeeding, whether spiritually, physically, or  financially  or materialistically ; hence  they hunt for reasons to accuse and harm the reputation of the person. The Bible clearly warns us:  

“Do not spread false reports.” Exodus   23:1,

“Do not go about spreading slander among your people.” Leviticus   19:16;

   “he who speaks the truth from their heart; whose tongue utters no slander,… Psalms 15:2-3

                When we start   attacking and spreading gossip over petite things or matters with on base,we must definitely have a check, on our heart, on our thoughts, and on our inner motives. We spread gossip about ourselves and about someone else which is harmful and is destructive. It is for self -satisfaction with a jealous spirit, or with some sort of insecurity, people indulge in gossip. God has no part in it.

“Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also busybodies who talk nonsense, saying things they ought not to.” 1Timothy  5:13.

• People love to gossip and spread rumors!
• Avoid inquisitive and intrusive persons, for they are sure to be gossips, their ears are open to hear, but they will not keep what is entrusted to them.
• We are spreading gossip starting right from our home, and extended to outside the world.
• Where is our credibility?
• Where is our character?  
• Can our life stand the scrutiny of an outsider?
• Have you ever thought what is social face holds?

         We should be careful in our speech and in actions.

         We must try to live above criticisms and away from these persistent talkers.

 Read. What the Scripture says:

“A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.” Proverbs 11:13;

 “The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.” Proverbs 15:4;

 “A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.” Proverbs 16:28;

“A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much. Proverbs 20:19;

 “Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor rather than one who has a flattering tongue”. Proverbs 26:23

       When we kneel before the throne of judgment, We will be judged by our deeds as well as the way we handle the gifts God has given us for constructive activities.

“But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken”. Mathew 12:36

             "….make it your ambition to lead a quiet life:

    You should mind your own  business”1.Thessalonians 4:11-12.

 Don't speak evil of someone if you don't know for certain,and if you do know ask yourself, why am I telling it?

Hilly view- uphill to Kodaikanal-TamilNadu

Fire and swords are slow engines of   destruction,

 compared to the tongue of a Gossip.