“Do not be misled; “Bad company corrupts good character. Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God; I say this to your shame.” (I Corinthians 15:33-34)
Rumor and gossip are synonymous and the Bible has a lot to say about it. What is gossiping? It is unconfirmed stories widely shared, and most likely not factual since a juicy lie sounds better than the truth. As stories spread, each person has liberty to share their version to keep gossiping alive.
“There are not different versions of truth, only different beliefs and opinions.”
– Tracy, Fellow Blogger
Have you ever been a participant in gossiping? If so, how did you feel in the midst of it? Why do you think “Christians” betray those who trust and confide in them?
I was horrified to overhear mature Christians negatively talk about me. One of them mistakenly pocket dialed my cell phone and their entire conversation was recorded on my voicemail. Thankfully, it was a Sunday evening and my cell phone was still on silent; otherwise, I would have never known how they honestly felt about me. Hmmm, was it a pocket dial mistake, or divine intervention? Either way, I was thankful to hear exactly what people thought of me since they never took time to know me. I did not want to be guilty of gossiping; therefore, my husband, a minister, is the only other person who heard the recording.
As I write this brief reminder about gossiping, their behavior serves as a reminder that “Not everyone who saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in Heaven. (Matthew 7:21)
Gossiping is definitely not the will of the Father. “A gossip betrays a confidence so avoid anyone who talks too much.” (Proverbs 20:19)
It is definitely true that those who gossip with you will gossip of you. I have been snake bitten by gossipers known as Christians, family members, acquaintances and former co-workers; and perhaps you have as well. Gossipers did not know that everything, or some things, had been confided with their unspiritual partner in crime came back to bite them. How? Individuals repeated things back to me that I only told specific people to test their trustworthiness. For this reason, my words are kept to a minimum in conversations.
The antidote for spreading rumors can be found in Proverbs 26:20-28, it reads, “Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down. As coals to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife. The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts. Like a coat in of silver dross on earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart. Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts, they harbor deceit. Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts. Their malice may be concealed by deception, but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them. A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.”
We will never stop rumors and lies from spreading. However, we can refuse to participate, and not give into our sinful nature of listening to “juicy” information that would gain us ungodly attention. If we are guilty of this sinful act, we must recognize the selfishness of that desire and repent (Psalm 19:14).
When someone tells you something about another person, or tells you what someone said about you, stop them and say do not tell me what someone said about me, tell me why they felt comfortable telling you. It works!
I would like to hear your thoughts on this subject of gossiping. Have a wonderful weekend and remain safe.
Nothing separates people faster than gossip! I always say “God hates gossip because it makes a good person look bad and a bad person look good” There’s a reason we are made with only one mouth and two ear’s. God Bless your ministry.Stay strong in Him!
Julia
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello Julia, thank you for stopping by to read my blog and for commenting. You are right about “one mouth, two ears and gossiping.” Have a good night and remain safe.
LikeLike
LOL, Tangie, I loved this! You are right on. Lord knows this is what is tearing the churches up right now. Lord knows.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading and commenting. It is a sad state of affairs when sinners can stand in unity for these causes and some Christians, wolves in sheep clothing, stand in unity to cause division in the church. Sad, sad, sad, but not everyone who says Lord, Lord, will enter into the kingdom of God. Take care and remain safe.
LikeLike
We all have been victims of gossipers. But it is so true that of you gossip with others they will also gossip about you. May God help us to hold our tongue.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughtful insight. Remain safe.
LikeLike
Thank you, also. Be blessed.
LikeLike
So true! I have been a victim all my life. I believe I must be so different, unique, and so important for people to always have juicy words about me. It wasn’t like this back then, I used to cry and withdraw from people. I almost became paranoid. But now, it’s a walk in the park. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I must confess also that I did engage too with those that bring me the report of my so called escapades. One time, I was driving and so engrossed in this gossip that I felt someone tapped me on my shoulder, I looked back even though I knew I was the only one in the vehicle and it was at night! Right that moment I knew it was God correcting me. I rounded up and asked for forgiveness. I realized that because others gossip about you for not give you the license to gossip about them or others. Ii is still a struggle not to listen to the next story been told about you, but I am getting better. Gossip destroy life’s more than we ever know. Thank you for the encouragement to nip sin in the bud. Shalom!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have no doubt we all have been guilty of gossiping at least once in our lives. Thank you for reading and sharing your personal experience to help encourage others to nip gossiping in the bud before it is too late to repent and ask for God’s forgiveness. Please remain safe.
LikeLike
Will do. Thanks and you to.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for a great reminder as well as sharing a personal experience of the negative impact of gossip. The devil ensnares many with gossip and as a Christian it is something we have to be vigilant to not get ensnared by it. The verses you share a great ones to meditate on if you desire to overcome struggles with gossip. If only people would think to themselves before they partake in a conversation about another party – What I be okay if they heard this on a voicemail if i accidently called them? That would stop a lot of conversations for sure. Thanks for sharing and reminding of the dangers of gossip.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Nicki for reading and sharing your thoughts. Remain safe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Low or average minds discuss people and events while great minds discuss ideas. The more people gossip about you the more your advancement in life. It’s my prayer that I become the topic of discussion. Great post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I totally agree with you and the Lord is definitely providing more advancement in my life: secular, health and spiritually; which I will be sharing in this evening’s blog. Thanks for reading and sharing comments. Remain safe.
LikeLike
I’m sorry you had to hear people talking about you behind your back that is really awful. Gossip in my opinion is done by people who are unhappy themselves and need a way to release their negativity.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Pooja, I agree with you. I was more disheartened the words of those who claimed to be “Christians”; but scripture tells us not everyone who says Lord Lord will enter Heaven. It would have been less painful to hear if what they said was true and/or if they had gotten to know me beyond casually saying hello; that is all they knew about me other than knowing who my immediate family members are. Please remain safe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you and remain safe as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is indeed an important reminder! So much can be said, but only some if it holds any truth.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts on this subject. I agree “Only some of it holds any truth” Remain safe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very well written. Thanks for sharing such a important message 😊💯🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading and sharing feedback. Remain safe
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure. You too🤗♥️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for this important message and reminder. I do realize how harmful it can be. That is so horrible you had to hear that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading and sharing feedback on this subject. It can definitely be harmful to someone who has not mastered controlling their feelings when others speak untruthful things about them. Have a great night and remain safe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very well said! So let us surround ourselves with people who talk about good things and ideas, not other people!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, let us surround ourselves with people who talk about good things and our ideas. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts. Remain safe.
LikeLike
“We all fail in many areas, but especially with our words. Yet if we’re able to bridle the words we say we are powerful enough to control ourselves in every way, and that means our character is mature and fully developed.” (James 3:2).
Bless you Tangie as you shine your light through your blogging!
PS. Thanks for the quote you used from one of my Wired for Word blogs. Glad it spoke to you 😘
LikeLiked by 1 person
Concur. Thank you for reading and sharing feedback on gossiping. I really like your quote and also shared on Facebook.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Tangie. Keep going strong! Bless you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Likewise
LikeLiked by 2 people
Deep and sobering reminder 🌺 Thanks for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading and sharing feedback. Remain safe
LikeLiked by 1 person
No truer words! Gossip tears people down and it also further corrupts those involved as they get sucked into the “feel-good” of cutting down another person. Truly shameful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Shameful indeed. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts. Have a great evening and remain safe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You too, Tangie!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Apt!. We should draw the line when it comes to this, and we should not be part of the community of gossips. I quite agree with you, the same people you gossip with will definitely do the same to you. 💯
LikeLiked by 2 people
I agree we MUST draw the line and NOT be apart of a community full of gossipers, especially as Christians. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts on this subject. Please enjoy your evening and remain safe.
LikeLike
I enjoyed the blog as well as the comments. As was stated we all have been guilty of gossiping at some time or another. If not gossiping we have been guilty of listening and enjoying juicy gossip. Thanks be to God he allowed us to realize the error of our way and repent. I like the comment about gossip about the good accomplishments and positive things about a person. I might add that face book can be a negative road to spreading gossip. It can also be a positive. Keep up the great work. Hello to family and be safe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sister Carr, I agree thanks be to God that we are allowed to live and realize the errors of our ways and repent. It would be awesome if we godly gossips about positive things happening in the lives of others. Facebook is horrible for some Christians because worldliness within is displayed as though God cannot see social media posts. I have unfollowed and deleted people because I am trying to keep a godly mindset. I use Facebook and blogging as tools to spread the gospel, spiritual encouragement and Felton’s sermons. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts. Give my love to the family and remain safe. “The same tenacity should be used to spread the gospel like we spread gossip.” — Tangie T. Woods
LikeLike
I enjoyed the blog as well as the comments. As was stated we all have been guilty of gossiping at some time or another. If not gossiping we have been guilty of listening and enjoying juicy gossip. Thanks be to God he allowed us to realize the error of our way and repent. I like the comment about gossip about the good accomplishments and positive things about a person. I might add that face book can be a negative road to spreading gossip. It can also be a positive. Keep up the great work. Hello to family and be safe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve had a couple of times where someone spread flat-out lies about me. Fortunately, my real friends knew this said more about the gossiper than it did about me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are definitely right that real friends recognize that gossip negatively affects gossipers than the person being talked about. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts. Please enjoy your evening and remain safe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hear! Hear!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading and commenting. Please remain safe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You too Tangie, take care.
LikeLike
Tangie, can’t believe your “pocket dialed” call! How awful, yet enlightening? That happened once to me with someone close. I was horrified to overhear myself discussed, not gossip but criticism that hurt. (Maybe some of it was true – the younger high-energy me could be annoying. Would that I could get that energy back now!) But, gossip? Or flat out lies? Sometimes folks don’t realize when sharing maliciousness and lies – if you share it, you are participating in those lies. It’s better to have a go at taking the High Road (with lots of Heavenly Help!) Would that we could gossip about the good stuff in everyone’s lives like, “Can you believe what Shahla overcame to get her graduate degree? And look at what she’s doing now, helping others? Geez, we need more folks like her in our community.” That kind of thing. Blessings, Tangie
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was awful hearing it from these specific individuals and concur very “enlightening.” Even if something was true about you, or anyone else, it is no one’s business to discuss and share. My life and spiritual journey are enough to keep me out of other people’s business. Thank you for reading and sharing your comments. Remain safe.
LikeLike
Gossip is not good for the heart. Church gossip is one reason children don’t like Church. It is sad you had such experience. I am thankful you were able to guard your heart. Thank you for sharing.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Agree. It is also the reason adults leave, do not attend and sadly return to the world. Thank you for reading and commenting. Remain safe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ive noticed gossipers are also very negative people. I agree I have gossiped but have learned that its wrong and honestly who has time for that when there are so many other things I could be doing. What a great post!
LikeLiked by 3 people
I, too, have been guilty in past times. When we learn better we do better. I am thankful that God allowed me to live to repent and cease from ungodly behaviors. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts. Have a great weekend and remain safe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We live and we learn. God is great!! ❤️ 🙏 have a great weekend and stay safe as well!
LikeLiked by 1 person
All so true. I think most of us are guilty in participating in gossip at some point but gossip can be harmful and contagious in some cases, where people go from being witnesses to being the ones that spread the gossip
LikeLiked by 3 people
I, too, have been guilty of gossiping in my young and ignorant days. I am thankful that God allowed me to live long enough to repent from such ungodly behavior of going alone to get along. I agree with your response. Thank you for reading and commenting. Remain safe.
LikeLiked by 3 people
You’re most welcome 🌺 It doesn’t matter about our past, what matters is how we learn from it and improve going forwards ~ and I can see that you are doing that. I am, as well 😊✨
LikeLiked by 2 people