Learn this lesson to thrive or don’t and let it sink you

Proverbs 18:8 – “The words of gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man’s inmost parts.”

This year marks 16 years of being in ministry and I can honestly say that gossip is one of those small foxes that destroy the vineyard.

I have had the privilege of living in nearly every Southern African country, traveled extensively in the US and been a part of some amazing churches……… with that being said I have also seen how gossip has ripped through people’s lives and torn apart relationships. The sad aspect of this is that I don’t see it getting better and it is not something that is talked about much.

Recently, Christ Life Church hosted the Dave Ramsey, Momentum workshop. Chris LoCurto taught a session on the fundamental values of the Dave Ramsey organization – one of the values is a tenacious drive to squash all gossip I WISH the church in general could get its head around this ….. or rather …. if we are Biblical here …. it’s body [You might get that later].

I love that TENACIOUS DRIVE TO SQUASH ALL GOSSIP. [UPDATE: Just read on Chris blog that he just posted on gossip]

GET THIS – the scripture in Proverbs 18:8 tells us that gossip is like a tender morsel …. fine steak, chocolate covered strawberry or add you line here ___________. Get the point …… IF YOU LISTEN TO GOSSIP …. it will take ROOT in your life. Once gossip gets a ROOT it is very difficult to get it out. In fact, often times doubt, negativity, suspicion and more sets in. Here is the sad part ……. the probability is high that when you ‘heard’ or ‘took’ in the gossip you never took the time to actually clarify that the gossip was either true or not.

ACTION POINTS: 

• If someone starts to gossip – just leave. This takes some discipline as we tend to enjoy the gossip

• If the gossip has to do with someone in authority …. be extra careful to stay away from this person as there could be a deeper issue here.

• Avoid the ‘holy prayer gossip’ like to plague ….. Oh Lord, we pray for sister so and so …. you know she is in a terrible ________ add gossip here.

• I am a big believer in ‘time’. Time will truly tell the intentions of the person ….. if the gossip was just ignorance or if this person truly has a deeper issue.

• Consider gossip talking negative about someone and they are not right in front of you.

• If you feel you have a tendency to lean towards gossip  - get an accountability partner and have them pray for you. Also ask the question of why you feel you need to talk down about people. You might find you have some unresolved issue’s from the past.

Over the last year I have become very passionate about helping people best this issue of gossip and in fact a cancer that is tearing down churches and organizations. Lets agree together as the scripture says, Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. …….if you keep on reading the next verse talks about grieving the Holy Spirit …… maybe the conclusion would be that our negative talk not only hurts people but also grieves the Holy Spirit or maybe a better word would be ‘saddens’ the Holy Spirit.