GOSSIP
“And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.”-– 1 Tim. 5:13“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”-– Eph. 4:29
Jack Graham tells this humorous, but serious story: A well-known gossip by the name of Martha Jones attended the same church for several years. One day, it was discovered that she had a benign tumor that had to be removed. So the following Sunday, a prayer request about this was printed in the church bulletin.
As the church members came in and took their seats, sporadic laughter could be heard in the congregation as people opened their bulletins. Curious, the pastor took a look to see what the fuss was about. Apparently, there was a typo that read, “Pray for Martha Jones, who is in the hospital having a rumor removed.”
This brings us to the next kind of lie: gossip. This is information you receive that you don’t know is true, but you pass it on because it’s too good to keep to yourself. That sounds innocent enough, especially if you didn’t start the rumor. But reputations have been ruined by the spreading of untrue gossip.
So to avoid the lie of gossip, follow two simple rules: 1) If you don’t know it’s true, don’t repeat it. And, 2) don’t pass information on to anyone who doesn’t need to know it. Steering clear of gossip will maintain your integrity as you love others well enough to uphold their reputation and character!
MAINTAIN INTEGRITY AND PROTECT OTHERS’ REPUTATIONS BY STEERING CLEAR OF GOSSIP.
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
