I am someone who wants to use words- both written and spoken- to build others up. When friends share something that I have written to encourage others, it confirms this desire.
Whew! I’ve said some words over the past week that were not encouraging nor profitable to anyone. I have gossiped.
Such an ugly word. But, by definition, did I *really* gossip?
Cambridge Dictionary defines gossip as “casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details that are not confirmed as being true.”
I had a casual conversation (check) and said something about someone else (check.)
Someone I trust told me what this person said. I’m sure the statement was true. (Not check.)
So did I really gossip?
Let’s go to the Bible. (Eeek!)
In James 4:11 and Colossians 3:8, it talks of slander. It’s spreading rumor or lies to purposely damage. I did not do that.
Or did I?
It wasn’t a lie. However, would I have said it if the original speaker were present? Why did I say it? To make someone laugh? To be “in the know?”
Did what I say uplift the other person? No. I had mocked them. It made them appear petty or ignorant or unkind.
It made ME petty, ignorant and unkind. *ouch*
As soon as it came out of my mouth, I was convicted. (Thank you, Holy Spirit.)
A couple of days later, I found the one I had spoken to and pulled her aside. I confessed my sin of ‘saying something I shouldn’t have said.’ She knew what I meant.
She said, “Thank you for saying that. I have been struggling with gossip lately too.”
Wait – I just said something I shouldn’t have. Oooo, she named it as gossip.
And she was right.
And then the next day, I did it again.
I have some work to do. It definitely starts with being aware of what comes out of my mouth.
And things that come out of my mouth start with my thoughts.
Philippians 4:8 – Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Thank you, God, for forgiveness. Thank you, Spirit, for conviction. Thank you, Jesus, for your example.
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