Stay away from the gossip!

Are you inclined to listen to gossip or maybe even seek it out? In this world we live in gossip is sought on a daily basis as you see we have TV shows, magazines, and internet website just full of gossip about politicians, celebrities, sports stars, and whatever else they can find to spread rumors about. Why are we so concerned about others peoples business? 

Look what Thomas Kempis says about gossip: “Shun the gossip of men as much as possible, for discussion of worldly affairs, even though sincere, is a great distraction inasmuch as we are quickly ensnared and captivated by vanity.”

In our distraction of being caught us in gossip we get away from our main purposes…worshipping God, loving others, meeting needs, and sharing the gospel. 

God has much to say about gossip so let me share some verses:

Proverbs 16:28 A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends.

1 Timothy 5:13 13 And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.

2 Thessalonians 3:11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies.

Romans 1:28-30 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality,[a] wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
2 Corinthians 12:20 For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults;

James 1:26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.

So what does God want us to do with our mouths?

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

Build people up! Don’t tear them down. 

So are you seeking gossip or staying away from it?

Tom