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Ephesians 5:29
Lets eat, grandma. vs Lets eat grandma. There is only one difference between these two statements. The comma changes everything.
We are talking about gossip and lies. The tongue is a very small and common thing. It’s like the comma in these two sentences, it changes everything.
Gossip is like dandelion seeds. Once they are turned loose there is no bringing them back. They are “in the wind” its impossible to tell where they will go or where they will grow.
We all know that gossip is wrong. Yet we tend not to think of ourselves as potential gossips. We need to do some careful consideration, it’s often hard to see our own weaknesses and faults.
Often when we know something about someone that no one else knows, we find ourselves wanting to tell someone else. Usually this has to do with trying to make our image better even when damaging the image of another.
Proverbs 18:8, Exodus 40:16, Proverbs 6:16-19, Proverbs 16:28, James 1:26, Romans 1:29
It’s impossible to accidentally murder someone. God takes gossip very seriously.
Am I willing to learn to use my tongue wisely?
We know that gossip is wrong, what do we do about our tendency to gossip? Repent and turn… walk a different path. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Let us not trivialize what God calls sin.
This is something that can only be done through the power of Christ. He is the only one who can take something that our flesh wants to use selfishly and turn it into a useful tool for his glory.
God doesn’t miss anything. He knows what we say and why we say what we say.
How do we handle gossip when someone brings it to me?
How do we know the difference between gossip and a proper, genuine concern? What is the motivation? Is it accurate?
1 Peter 2:21 – What if I am the target of the gossip? The easy thing is to react with retaliation.
May God give us wisdom as we encounter and deal with gossip.
Is it true?
Is it helpful?
Is it inspiring?
Is it Necessary?
Is it Kind?
Psalm 141:3