Gossip

Some people live to hear another story about someone and then spread it to someone else. We need to stop and consider the damage caused by gossip. It is truly like a fire that burns lives and destroys relationships. When the gossip stops the fire stops.(Proverbs 26:20) Life would be so much less stressful if we would edify people by what we say, instead of spreading gossip.

Let me give you my definition of gossip, which I believe is based on what the Bible says. Gossip is talking about any personal problem or sin with someone who has nothing to do with it and can't solve the problem. It never helps to spread tales. Go straight to the person and talk with them, if there is a sin or a problem. Talk with the people who can fix the problem. The Bible urges us to do this over and over.

This is the loving thing to do in every case. You might like to spread stories, but if you love with the love of Christ, you will not do that because you are more concerned with doing the loving thing than having fun telling a story. You will want to end strife, not spread it. Therefore, let's watch what we say and to whom we speak. Let's put out the fire, instead of spreading it.

Tomorrow, I intend to read Proverbs 28-31.