Gavin McGee preached this lesson on gossip one Sunday Morning at Florence Blvd. Church of Christ. The lesson was on the topic of gossip, so I thought I would share. Let's face it, girls are gossip queens.
When it comes to gossip I think that the first thing one has to understand is the definition of what gossip is. Gossip is said to be "a rumor or talk of personal, sentimental, or intimate nature", according to Webster's Dictionary. The Bible refers to a gossiper as a talebearer or a whisperer. Ultimately if you are talking about someone in a way that is not going to help he/she spiritually, you are participating in some juicy gossip.
Let's figure out the nature of gossip.
1) Gossip springs from false motives. Phil 4:8, Romans 15:1 Most of the time if we are gossiping about someone it is not for their benifit, but for our own. When we gossip about someone the ultimate goal is to degrade the other person to make ourselves feel better. When we gossip we are not focusing on the things we need to have our minds focused on in Phil 4:8.
2) It finds its life in our tongues. In James 3: 5-8 the tongue is compared to a wildfire. in verse 8 it says "but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison." This verse alone should be enough to tell us how damaging gossip can be. Think of how fast and how widespread a wildfire can be. Gossip can hurt and destroy someones feelings and reputation if the exact same way. In James 1:19 it warns us to be slow speaking, so maybe we can use our tongue for something greater than silly gossip.
3) It spreads and grows. like said earlier, gossip can be so widespread, that the real truth of a story is so diminished and changed that a person's reputation can be ruined.
4) Hurts others. In Galatians 6:10 it says "So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith." In Galatians we are commanded to do good to everyone who we come in contact with. The same hold true when we talk about someone. If what we are talking about is not going to end with something Godly and good happening, then the likely hood of it being a good conversation about someone is slim to none.
5)Hurts our example. As Christians, the kind of example we should be setting is of someone who does not participate in gossip. How bad does it look to someone who might not be a Christian if we as Christians are participating in gossip. How are we then any different than non-Christians.
6) Hurts the Church. In Psalms 133:1 it says "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity." What would the chruch be if brothers and sisters in Christ were not able to dwell in peace with one another? The answer is simply nothing. A Church with divisions will not survive, it is not what God would want when he looks at his church. Gossip will ultimately cause huge divisions in a church.
7) Causes Strife. In Proverbs 26:20 it says" For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer quarreling ceases." I think that this sums the nature of gossip up in a nutshell. Where gossip is you can always expect quarreling and strife, and as Proverbs 26:20 says, where gossip stops the quarreling and strife ceases.
So now that we have covered the nature of gossip let's look at what the result of gossip is.
1) Makes one guilty of spreading lies
2) condems soul
There are many old testament and new testament refrences to prove that fact: Lev 19:16, Prov. 11:13, Prov. 16:28, Prov. 17:4, Prov. 18:8, Prov. 20:19, and Prov. 26:2o. Phil. 2:3-4, Titus 2:1, Titus 3:1-2, James 4:11, Romans 1:29, 2 Cor. 12:20.
So What can we do to Prevent Gossip?
1) Learn to mind our own business.- 1 Thess 4:10-11, 2 Thess 3:11-12
2) Look for the Good in ever situation.-Romans 3:10
3) Don't believe everything you hear.- James 3:8-10
4) When you hear Gossip, Handle it properly
a. Go straight to the Horses mouth
b. If it is not true, keep it to yourself
c. If it is true, keep it to yourself
5) Choose your associations wisely.- Prov. 20:19, 1 Cor 15:33
6) Would I want that said about me? -Matt. 7:12
7) LEARN TO LOOK PAST THE GOSSIP AND SEE A SOUL!
I thought this would be a good post because I figured it is something that the everyday girl struggles with on a day to day basis. I know I do for sure. Lets face it, its fun to talk about people! But that is just the kicker, sin is fun!!! Gossip is sin!! They go hand in hand! Just think of how much greater the world would be if we didn't gossip about people. Think about how many things would be different. The ultimate goal in life is to get to heaven and bring as many people as you can with you along the way. There is absolutely no way you can do so if you are gossiping. We can not expect to be uplifted if we ourselves are not willing to always uplift others.
-the girls-
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