I thought this was important...

Ok, so I already posted once today, but I thought this was important.  It was something I read during my bible study and it convicted me, so I thought I would share it.  It is something a lot of us struggle with, and I will be the first to admit it is something I REALLY have a hard time with.  I know it is wrong, it is a sin, and it is one of my weakest points.  That's why I'm sharing it.  The problem is gossip, and I know that I am NOT alone with this struggle. 

Have you every really thought about how powerful words are?  They really do have the power to either build up or rip apart.  I've had people tell me encouraging things that make my heart soar, and I've had people tell me things that have shattered my heart into pieces.  Likewise, I have both encouragd and ripped apart other people.  It is also ironic that we praise God with the same tongue that we curse others with?  With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness.  Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.  My brothers, this should not be.  James 3:9-10.  We do this, and yet He loves us just the same and forgives us- not because we deserve it- but because He is just that kind.  It amazes me.  But why exactly do we gossip?  Maybe because in some twisted way, tearing others down makes us feel better about ourselves.  Maybe we do it because we think we won't get caught.  Maybe we do it out of anger an frustration.  But regardless of the reason, gossip never has good consequences.  The things we say to eachother in secret will eventually be broadcasted for everyone to hear, and that can be embarrassing. Luke 12:2-3 hit me pretty hard.  It states:  "The time is coming when everything will be revealed; all that is secret will be made public.  Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the rooftops for all to hear."  We lose credibility when we gossip, and people tend to stop trusting us.  I learned this lesson the hard way in the 7th grade when a friend and I started talking about a girl that sat near us at the lunch table.  For some reason, we thought we were just a little bit "better" than this girl and we would make fun of her.  90% of the stuff we said about her we made up and the 10% that was true, we had no business talking about.  I remember when that girl found out what all we said about her, and how it made me feel.  Talking about her wasn't worth it and I ruined the chance of ever being friends with her.  I'm sure to this day she hates me, but I wouldn't know because I lost all contact with her.  I still regret that.  Gossip has its consequences.           

The way we speak says a lot about us.  Do we show people that we are Christians with the way we talk?  I know I don't sometimes.  According to James 1:26, the Christian who doesn't control his tongue is just fooling himself, and his religion is not worth very much to him.  That stings alittle.  I know it isn't about religion, it's about the relationship we have with Christ.  But in the same way, the Christian who doesn't watch what he says is showing other people that his relationship with Jesus isn't worth much to him.  Is that the way we should treat the One who died for us? 

So what is the secret to avoid gossiping?  Jesus said that whatever is in our hearts will eventually come out of our mouths.  (Luke 6:45)  So we should not think evil of one another.  This is the only way we can overcome the tendancy to speak negatively of one another.  Since we cannot change our own hearts, we should ask God to change our hearts for us like David did in Psalm 51:10.  He asked for a clean heart and a renewed spirit.   

When we are the victims of gossip, we must remember not to repay evil for evil.  Instead of retaliating, we should pay them back with a blessing.  I know this is hard, but God will bless us for it.   

I will leave you with this thought that comes from Proverbs 18:8 of the Message:  Listening to gossip is like eating cheap candy.  Do you really want junk like that in your belly?

Here is my prayer:

Lord, I am so sorry for all the times I have torn someone apart with my words.  Not only does it dishonor You, but it inflicts pain upon them.  Please forgive me.  Please change my heart and make it clean, and help me not to think evil of others.  Let the words that come from my mouth bring praise and be pleasing to You.  Please guard my mouth and tongue and let me think of You whenever I am tempted to gossip.  Likewise, help me to be forgiving whenever someone gossips about me.  Give me the ability to repay them with a blessing rather than retaliation.  Help me to grow closer to You and to be a Christ-like example to others. 
Amen

Until next time, peace and much love

-B