“A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.”–Proverbs 16:28
The court of Queen Elizabeth I was a swirling hotbed of intrigue. Her counselors and advisors constantly tried to undercut each other and gain her favor. Elizabeth skillfully played them against each other, promoting one then another to keep anyone from becoming too powerful. One of the most skillful players of the court game was Robert Devereux, the Second Earl of Essex. At Essex’s direction, false accusations of treason or disloyalty were laid at the feet of some of the queen’s most trusted servants—and such accusations were hard to prove false. Essex eventually reached too far and tried to depose Queen Elizabeth. He gathered a group of conspirators and marched into London. The group was arrested, and Essex was executed for treason. By his continual undermining of others, he planted the seeds for his rejection.
When we spend our time gossiping and telling stories about others— whether those stories are true or false—we are doing a great disservice to them and to ourselves. Much damage has been done to the body of Christ by those who gossip. Paul warned Timothy about the danger such people pose to the church. “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 Timothy 5:13).
For some people, “prayer requests” are a spiritual cover given to the spreading of gossip. If someone needs prayer, talk to God and see if there is anything you can do to encourage them. Telling others about the latest news is not productive. Instead it destroys relationships and creates conflict. Purpose to never be one who spreads rumors and damages relationships.
When you gossip and whisper about others, you are planting seeds for a bitter harvest.– Paul Chappell
