Stopping Gossip In Its Tracks
Almost everyone says they hate gossip and yet many of us are easily drawn into conversations that are unkind. We listen to and participate in saying things about a person that would never be said if they were present. How can we be a person who stops gossip rather than one who contributes to its spread? We agree with God that the time to deal with gossip is now. We make a decision not to participate in a conversation about another person when the words that are being said would be painful for that person to hear if they were present.
But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. (Colossians 3:8 NLT)
If the conversation around us moves towards gossip, we can change the subject and talk about something else – anything else that is positive. We can encourage a gossiper to speak with the person they are gossiping about. Sometimes if we simply suggest, "I don't feel comfortable talking about this person this way” may help the gossiper to consider what they are saying. We also end gossip by simply not passing on any of the negative words and rumors we have heard.
Without wood, a fire goes out. Without gossip, arguments stop. Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended. (Proverbs 26:20 ERV, Proverbs 22:10 NIV )
It is helpful to remember that those who gossip to us will definitely gossip about us. Let’s choose to stop gossip in its tracks today!
The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense. (Proverbs 10:21 NLT)
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I agree with You that gossip must stop and that it begins with me. Help me to put positive practices into place so that the cycle of gossip will stop with me. Amen
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