Gossip: defuel it!

Gossip happens. Sadly. Often! It's found in the hushed, sideways comment or the sarcastic observation that hits a little too close to home. We're risking gossip, basically, when we're not 100% straight-up with how we talk about others.

Gossiping is easy to do, especially when it might get a laugh or two. Let's face it: 'The words of a gossip are like tasty bits of food; people like to gobble them up' (Proverbs 26:22 NCV). Gossip may be easy to swallow, but it's very destructive. In fact, 'gossip separates close friends' (Proverbs 16:28 NIV). It can be a hard habit to break, but it's worth taking that extra second to consider whether what we're about to say has positive or negative value.

But what if people come to us with gossip? We can't help it if they're the ones gossiping, can we? Actually, we still have a responsibility: 'Fire goes out without wood, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops' (Proverbs 26:20 NLT). Let's be the ones to defuel the fire of gossip - to walk away from a conversation, or speak up and tell people we're uncomfortable with what they're talking about. We know in our heart whether a conversation is healthy or not. If we get that shifty, unsure feeling about something, (lovingly and graciously) call it out.



So what now? Think back to science class: do you remember the three things needed to start a fire? Like starving the oxygen to stop a fire, starve out gossip and speak life-giving words.





— SCRIPTURE —

'Gossip is no good!' Proverbs 16:28 CEV
— SOULFOOD —

1 Chr 7:20-9:44 , John 8:31-41, Ps 30, Pro 25:13-17