51. She Did What? The Truth About Gossip

Gossip Defined: 

• Worthless talk or rumors; especially about the personal or private affairs of another person that is said behind someone’s back.
• Talking about someone when you have no power or will to help fix the problem

What is it that is so enticing about gossip?

• It makes us feel important and special
• It makes us feel like we’re wanted
• It makes us feel like we fit in
• We can impress others—get attention
• It makes us feel powerful. Like we're in control. 
• It’s contagious

Gossip is one of the biggest tactics that the enemy uses to divide Christians. 

We all have a natural curiosity and want to be in the know. We don’t like feeling left out of conversations.

But what’s so bad about gossip? If you have been on the receiving end of gossip, you understand all too well what’s so bad about gossip.

Proverbs 16:27-28-An ungodly person digs up evil and it is on his/her lips like a burning fire. A perverse person sows strife, and a person who gossips separates the best of friends. 

Ladies when we are a part of gossiping, we are a part of allowing the enemy to do his work in dividing and destroying us Christians. It destroys friendships. It destroys relationships and in some cases it can destroy someone’s life and their future. 

 Proverbs 18:8 says The words of a gossiper are like tasty desserts...it feels so good to be a part of it. However, the verse then goes on to say that those words that we are using to gossip…they cut deep into the innermost part of the person we’re talking about.

If this is the case, though, why do so many of us Christians have a hard time with this? 

As I said, it’s hard. We are naturally curious creatures. We want to be in the know. We don’t want to feel left out. Gossip is mysterious and exciting.

 I don’t know about you, but I love a good mystery…movie or book, it doesn’t matter…but only if they are clean. I love them, because I want to know if I can solve the crime before the movie or the book tells me who really did it. It’s exciting and it’s mysterious. The same is true for gossip. 

Proverbs 6:16-19 talks about 7 things that the Lord hates. Did you know that God actually does hate some things. He doesn’t hate people…but there are things that He does hate. 

In this list it says: 

1. Arrogance
2. Lying
3. Murder
4. A heart that comes up with wicked plans
5. Feet that are quick to run to evil
6. A false witness who speaks lies—this is talking about spreading rumors
7. Gossip.

Does that seem crazy that God would hate gossip as much as He does murder?

 Why do you think that God’s so against gossip? God is against anything that will hurt His kids. He loves you so much. He wants you to live a life of abundance. 

Proverbs 18:21 says that death and life are in the power of the tongue.

If gossiping is something that you have a challenge with...or maybe you have a friend who seems to always come to you with gossip, check out this week's episode fo

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