I always laugh at that line when my daughter watches Disney’s Dumbo. One of the women elephants is about to share some gossip about Dumbo’s Mom. All the women (elephants) are gathered together discussing a recent outburst by Mrs. Jumbo (Dumbo’s Mom), and then one of them says;
“Have IIIIIII Got a Trunkful of Dirt…”
…and then begins to “spill the beans”.
Have you guessed today’s topic yet?
Gossip
It is poison.
Period.
There is no good gossip. ALL Gossip is wrong…even the gossip we read in popular magazines when checking out at the grocery store.
The words of a whisperer or talebearer are as dainty morsels; they go down into the innermost parts of the body. – Proverbs 18:8 (amplified)
I remember in elementary school we did an experiment. The teacher made all the kids stand in a line side by side. Then, she whispered something into the first kid’s ear and they were to repeat it (whisper) to the kid next to them and so on down the line. When it got to the end, the last kid would say out loud what the “secret” was.
It was NEVER what the teacher first said.
You see, even if parts of gossip are true, not all will be. It is still a he said, she said, they said scenario. Unfortunately, when gossip occurs, someone is hurt more often than not.
Of course, our God does not miss a beat. He KNOWS the ways of His children. He knows the traps we place ourselves in. He understands what gossip does to the person gossiping and the person being gossiped about.
The gossiper always winds up looking like an untrustworthy fool.
He who goes about as a talebearer (gossiper) reveals secrets; therefore associate not with him who talks too freely. – Proverbs 20:19 (amplified)
God is NOT pleased with a gossiper…
Whoso privily slanders his neighbor, him will I cut off [from me]; he who has a haughty look and a proud and arrogant heart I cannot and I will not tolerate. – Psalm 101:5 (amplified)
Sadly, the one who is being gossiped about, can have their entire reputation ruined. They are also sure to be aware of the whispers around them. I feel bad for those being gossiped about.
Who are we to judge, talk about and discuss another’s life, choices and mistakes? It reminds me of when Jesus put the mob that was going to stone the unfaithful woman in their place…
When the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery. They made her stand in the middle of the court and put the case before Him.
Teacher, they said, This woman has been caught in the very act of adultery.
Now Moses in the Law commanded us that such shall be stoned to death. But what do You say [to do with her–what is Your sentence]?
This they said to test Him, hoping they might find a charge on which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger.
However, when they persisted with their question, He raised Himself up and said, Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.
Then He bent down and went on writing on the ground with His finger.
They listened to Him, and then they began going out, conscience-stricken, one by one, from the oldest down to the last one of them, till Jesus was left alone, with the woman standing there before Him in the center of the court.
When Jesus raised Himself up, He said to her, Woman, where are your accusers? Has no man condemned you?
She answered, No one, Lord! And Jesus said, I do not condemn you either. Go on your way and from now on sin no more. – John 8:3-11 (amplified)
Boy did THEY have a trunkful of dirt on this woman! I am amazed at the HUGE statement Jesus makes here! Yes, she WAS indeed an adulterer….yet, Jesus STILL would not stand for the accusations from those who were not without sin.
We ALL have sin we deal with.
None of us are perfect.
Who are we to talk about others?
We should be ashamed of ourselves.
He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love, but he who repeats or harps on a matter separates even close friends. – Proverbs 17:9 (amplified)
Interesting…isn’t love what we are all called to?
I would urge you, dear sisters, if you find yourself with gossiping tongues…and ears, to bring this matter before the throne and repent. Call it out when it is happening around you. Do not even let it crouch near the doors of your ears!
It is wrong. No if’s, and’s or but’s about it.
It is just wrong.
And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. – Matthew 12:36 (NLT)
Sorry if I am about to step on some pretty little toes right now, but even buying a copy of that popular and tantalizing gossip magazine at the grocery store checkout, only feeds into the disease of gossip. Ask God before you buy it next time, and see what He tells you.
We need to have some righteous fear of the Lord to help us make right choices. He deserves reverence and obedience. We should walk in a way that brings glory to His Name…not in a way that feeds the enemy of our souls and slanders those around us.
No matter how innocent it may seem, gossip is wrong.
Do not be deceived, deluded and misled; God will not allow Himself to be mocked by mere pretensions or professions, or by His precepts being set aside. He inevitably deludes himself who attempts to delude God. For whatever a man sows, that and that only is what he will reap.
For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap decay and ruin and destruction, but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.
So then, as occasion and opportunity open up to us, let us do good to all people. Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the household of faith [those who belong to God’s family with you, the believers]. – Galatians 6:7-10 (amplified)
Let’s just shut our trunks!
Let’s Pray;
Daddy God, help me to only speak words of love, wisdom and edification. Guard my ears from all that is unrighteous in Your eyes. Help me to build a reputation of Truth, integrity and trustworthiness. Never let foul or polluting language come from my lips and give me courage to call out a gossiper when in my earshot. Help me to be bold for You! Help me to seek right all my days. Help me to SPEAK right all my days. Lord, I never want my lips to say anything that would bring dishonor to Your Name. I only want to think and speak on things that show goodness, love, kindness and life. Give me strength to run from all else. Teach me. Show me where I am out of alignment in this area and help me to make it right. Thank You. In Jesus Mighty Name, Amen.
Homework:
I have included several awesome Scriptures that tie in well with this topic. Read them. Study them, MEMORIZE them and APPLY them!
- Matthew 7:1
- Proverbs 22:11
- Ephesians 4:29-31
- 2 Corinthians 6:6-9a
- 1 Thessalonians 5:10-12
- Hebrews 3:13
- 1 Peter 1:22-2:1
- James 3:5-6
- Proverbs 23:15-16
- Proverbs 31:8
Memorize: And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. – Philippians 4:8 (NLT)
Copyright © Lara Velez, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved
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