Laela
Sidestepping the "lynch mob"
Uplifting one another ... I believe God expects nothing less of me, and I've been guilty of not doing so at times. I pray for humility and grace in my heart when dealing with others in the Body of Christ. I pray that Trust develops in our hearts for one another and that prayer requests remain sacred, as God intended.
This was on my heart today. Stay encouraged, as we all strive to please God the best way we know how.
Author:
Edwin Lukens
Article:
The Bible Warns Us of the Dangers of Gossip
The Bible has much to say concerning the topic of gossip and the damage it causes. Gossip is one of those sneaky sins mentioned in the Bible because it's easy to fall into the trap of speaking maliciously or falsely about someone else. Many can remember a time when they gossiped but had no intention to. The Bible also mentions those who love to gossip. Gossip can stir up negative emotions in people and those emotions can be the precursors to further serious sin. Emotions like hatred, envy, strife, bitterness, grief, and mistrust can all be stirred up when gossip is allowed to run wild. Let's see how the Bible warns us of the dangers of gossip.
The Bible tells us that Gossip ignites troubles by such a small part of the body. Consider how many messages are conveyed by the tongue. Christians do well when they learn to hold their tongues because it prevents further sin. James 3:5-6 gives us a very good description of the power of the tongue: “Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.”
Gossip is a byproduct of what the Bible calls idleness. People who are busy have no time to gossip. For example, in the Bible Timothy gives a suggestion that younger widows (below the age of 60) should get married again so as to give no place to idleness. Otherwise, they risk becoming falling into gossip for lack of having anything better to do. In 1 Timothy 5:12-13 we read the advice given for young widows: “Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to.”
The Bible tells Christians to stay away from others who are idle and gossip. The Apostle Paul emphasizes the need for believers to work for their sustenance and not waste precious time with those who won't work having become busybodies. Busybodies are gossipers by definition. In 2 Thessalonians 3:11-15 Paul warns the church, “We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right. If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed. Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.”
Gossip can be easily stopped by not passing it along. When you hear someone gossip to you about another person maliciously, the best thing you can do is let it go no further. Change the subject of the conversation and just keep what you heard to yourself. Of course this person may tell someone else but at least you'll not sin by not spreading it. Proverbs 26:20 tells us, “Without wood a fire goes out without gossip a quarrel dies down.”
Don't use prayer requests as an opportunity to gossip. This occurs often in our churches. Churches should have prayer meeting times so that more than one believer can petition God with requests at the same time and with unity in mind and spirit. These meetings usually follow the same format in that the leader asks for prayer requests and then members share them with others. Where the gossip occurs is when someone is having a potentially embarrassing personal hardship and has confided in one of the church members with a prayer request. The church member then goes to the meeting and presents this person's "dirty laundry" (or the person's situation) to the other believers present in the name of requesting prayer. It is better to call this an “unspoken” request to avoid spreading it as gossip. God knows what the request is anyways.
This was on my heart today. Stay encouraged, as we all strive to please God the best way we know how.
Author:
Edwin Lukens
Article:
The Bible Warns Us of the Dangers of Gossip
The Bible has much to say concerning the topic of gossip and the damage it causes. Gossip is one of those sneaky sins mentioned in the Bible because it's easy to fall into the trap of speaking maliciously or falsely about someone else. Many can remember a time when they gossiped but had no intention to. The Bible also mentions those who love to gossip. Gossip can stir up negative emotions in people and those emotions can be the precursors to further serious sin. Emotions like hatred, envy, strife, bitterness, grief, and mistrust can all be stirred up when gossip is allowed to run wild. Let's see how the Bible warns us of the dangers of gossip.
The Bible tells us that Gossip ignites troubles by such a small part of the body. Consider how many messages are conveyed by the tongue. Christians do well when they learn to hold their tongues because it prevents further sin. James 3:5-6 gives us a very good description of the power of the tongue: “Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.”
Gossip is a byproduct of what the Bible calls idleness. People who are busy have no time to gossip. For example, in the Bible Timothy gives a suggestion that younger widows (below the age of 60) should get married again so as to give no place to idleness. Otherwise, they risk becoming falling into gossip for lack of having anything better to do. In 1 Timothy 5:12-13 we read the advice given for young widows: “Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to.”
The Bible tells Christians to stay away from others who are idle and gossip. The Apostle Paul emphasizes the need for believers to work for their sustenance and not waste precious time with those who won't work having become busybodies. Busybodies are gossipers by definition. In 2 Thessalonians 3:11-15 Paul warns the church, “We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right. If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed. Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.”
Gossip can be easily stopped by not passing it along. When you hear someone gossip to you about another person maliciously, the best thing you can do is let it go no further. Change the subject of the conversation and just keep what you heard to yourself. Of course this person may tell someone else but at least you'll not sin by not spreading it. Proverbs 26:20 tells us, “Without wood a fire goes out without gossip a quarrel dies down.”
Don't use prayer requests as an opportunity to gossip. This occurs often in our churches. Churches should have prayer meeting times so that more than one believer can petition God with requests at the same time and with unity in mind and spirit. These meetings usually follow the same format in that the leader asks for prayer requests and then members share them with others. Where the gossip occurs is when someone is having a potentially embarrassing personal hardship and has confided in one of the church members with a prayer request. The church member then goes to the meeting and presents this person's "dirty laundry" (or the person's situation) to the other believers present in the name of requesting prayer. It is better to call this an “unspoken” request to avoid spreading it as gossip. God knows what the request is anyways.
Thing is, we all complain at some point or another, including me. And you know what? God still loves me anyway.. 
that's what's so great about a relationship with God. He loves me in spite of my flesh. When I try so hard to appear perfect before others, I'm fooling only myself.
