That's What She Said...or Did She?

Gossip is defined as one who chatters idly or repeats rumors about others

An all familiar situation at one time or another:
Mindy told Sue that Mark and Sally went to the movies with Sarah and James. Sue told Courtney that " Mark and Sally went to the movies."  Courtney told Jamie that "Mark and Sarah went to the movies." Jamie told Sally that "Courtney saw Mark and Sarah at the movies and they were holding hands." 

Now Sally is upset and angry because of the rumor that was spread around school about her boyfriend cheating, when in fact it never happened.  THIS IS WHAT YOU CALL GOSSIP!

The bible has a lot to say about gossip. Proverbs 20:19 says "He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, Therefore do not associate with a gossip."  Even though this verse says do not associate with a gossip, we feel that there are other ways for YOU, yourself not to gossip.  Doesn't necessarily mean to stop being friends with one that gossips, because I am pretty sure that you would not have any friends, seeing that everyone gossips, rather it be a little or non stop.  So, some things you can do are to remove yourself from that situation by walking away or you can say that you are not going to talk about it and change the subject.

The words that we speak can build a person up or completely destroy them.  Like with Sally in the above scenario.  She was completely heartbroken for what she had heard about her boyfriend.  One little word left out or one little white lie can totally break the chain of what the true conversation was about.  It's like playing the telephone game, one person starts out with a true statement but by the time the statement reaches the last person, 9 times out of 10 it is not even close to what the original statement was.

Another verse that the bible has on gossip is Proverbs 18:21(this is a powerful verse)"Death and life are in the power of the tongue."  Let's repeat that, death and life are in the power of the tongue!  Going back to what we talked about in how the words we speak can build one up or tear one down.  That is exactly what this verse means.  Another great verse to live by is Proverbs 21:23 and it says,"He who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles." So with this verse the bible is basically telling us how to prevent ourselves from Gossip, which can lead to a whole lot of trouble.  By watching what you say and thinking before you speak you can avoid a whole world of trouble.

Word to the wise:  Don't pass on everything you hear because, as you probably have been told again and again, "You can't believe everything that you hear!"

Friends Don't Let Friends Gossip!!!