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- Apr 25, 2006
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Hot Gossip
'Gossips break up friendships' Proverbs 16:28
Everyone seems to love a bit of gossip. We only need to hear phrases like, 'Ooh, did you hear what she did...? You'll never guess what happened to...!' There's a whole industry built around celebrity gossip because in our time it's become acceptable and quite normal to gossip. Nobody seems to think there is anything wrong with it - until the gossip is about them, that is.
The book of Proverbs tells us how destructive gossip is: 'Gossips break up friendships' (16:28); 'Gossips can't keep secrets, so never confide in blabbermouths' (20:19); 'Listening to gossip is like eating cheap candy; do you want junk like that in your belly?' (26:22); 'A gossiping tongue causes anger!' (25:23, all TM).
Sometimes, we can kid ourselves that gossip is in other people's best interest but God is clear - He doesn't want us to gossip. 'Though some tongues just love the taste of gossip, those who follow Jesus have better uses for language than that.
Don't talk dirty or silly. That kind of talk doesn't fit our style.
Thanksgiving is our dialect' (Eph. 5:3 TM). We're all in this together. God wants us to help each other avoid getting it wrong and start living right.
Gossip isn't what's required - gentleness is: 'If someone in your group does something wrong, you who are spiritual should go to that person and gently help make him right again' (Gal. 6:1 NAS).
written by Bob Gass
'Gossips break up friendships' Proverbs 16:28
Everyone seems to love a bit of gossip. We only need to hear phrases like, 'Ooh, did you hear what she did...? You'll never guess what happened to...!' There's a whole industry built around celebrity gossip because in our time it's become acceptable and quite normal to gossip. Nobody seems to think there is anything wrong with it - until the gossip is about them, that is.
The book of Proverbs tells us how destructive gossip is: 'Gossips break up friendships' (16:28); 'Gossips can't keep secrets, so never confide in blabbermouths' (20:19); 'Listening to gossip is like eating cheap candy; do you want junk like that in your belly?' (26:22); 'A gossiping tongue causes anger!' (25:23, all TM).
Sometimes, we can kid ourselves that gossip is in other people's best interest but God is clear - He doesn't want us to gossip. 'Though some tongues just love the taste of gossip, those who follow Jesus have better uses for language than that.
Don't talk dirty or silly. That kind of talk doesn't fit our style.
Thanksgiving is our dialect' (Eph. 5:3 TM). We're all in this together. God wants us to help each other avoid getting it wrong and start living right.
Gossip isn't what's required - gentleness is: 'If someone in your group does something wrong, you who are spiritual should go to that person and gently help make him right again' (Gal. 6:1 NAS).
written by Bob Gass
