The Gossip Problem

Well, I have my first guest-poster! This short article was written by Emma, and I think it could apply to many people's lives right now, firstly mine. Enjoy!

      

    Far to often when young women gather together gossip is not far from the conversation.  I am speaking from past experience when I say this.  Gossip comes so easily and is very hard to avoid.  I love to hear all the news.  I want to know about what your sibling did or comment behind someone’s back about what he or she is wearing and how he or she is acting.  Why is it so hard to keep away from gossip?  Well there will always be the problem of sin, but in what way does that sin show itself?  Many times we want to appear cool or important so in order to do that we make fun of someone else whom we think will make us look better. There may even be times when we are just gossiping because that is what every one else is doing. The Bible makes it clear that gossiping is wrong and Solomon warns us of the consequences of this sin. Take a look at this verse.

Proverbs 16:28, A Perverse man stirs up dissention, and a gossip separates close friends. 

We see hear that gossiping can ruin a relationship.  Now you may think that your gossip wouldn’t have that great of an effect on anyone. But how do you know? There may come a day when your gossip could really hurt someone.  Look at this verse in proverbs. It clearly tells us to avoid gossipers. 

Proverbs 20:19, A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much.  

Are you the gossiper that this verse is warning believers to stay away from?  Maybe you have never betrayed anyone’s secrets before. You might be thinking I’m not that bad so this is all irrelevant for me. You could not be more wrong.  It is only by the grace of God that no one has been hurt by your unkind words, Please know that now would be the time to respond. You have the opportunity to repent before anyone is hurt.  I know that it can be so hard to stop an interesting conversation because someone is gossiping, but it will be so beneficial in the end if you lead your friends out of gossiping.  God can help you in your fight against gossiping, remember that he is there for you and will bless your efforts to obey him.

This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, (1John 5:3)