Last time we discussed the negative effects of gossip and said that we have either listened to gossip, spread it, or been the victim of it, thereby we coined four phrases to describe what happens when gossip shows up:

I heard it
I told it
I used it
I felt it

I told it!
All of us are guilty of telling something we heard. Sometimes we feel that its so juicy that we have to tell itand then we feel justified by saying Dont tell anybody or You didnt hear it from me. Shamefully so, it seems that we are so ready to spread bad news or embarrassing news about others. Of ten our conversations about others are full of judgments and accusationsbut reallywho are we and what right do we have to behave this way?

In Romans 1:28-32 the Lord lists gossip together with the untrustworthy, unloving, unrighteous, murderers, and haters of Godwow! Who would have thought that the harmless little gossip we spread would have that kind of reaction from the Lord? Well, it doessharing anything about someone that does not help or edify may be considered gossip. If God cant get glory out of itit shouldnt be spread.

Proverbs 11:13 says A talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.

What are we telling, ladies? Why are we constantly running one another down or sharing everything we hear about someoneand all of know that by the time the story has been brought to usit has been changed drastically and then by the time we pass it onby the time it reaches its final destination the truth has been distorted and stretched so wide! The original story is unrecognizable!

How many times did we promise not to say anything only to repeat it to someone else? Our integrity is on the line when we share what others have told us in confidence. Peoples lives can be ruined by what comes out of our mouths. Our best bet is to keep our mouths shut and pray that our words are a blessing and not a hindrance and when information is hurtful and harmful to someone we must not accept it but rather speak against it in love.

I used it!
Have you ever used something you heard against someone to hurt them or get back at them for something they did to you? Youre right in the middle of a disagreement and you respond by saying, Well I heard that you did so and so. or someone you dont like has attacked you and you use what youve heard against them to further dig a ditch for them. Nehemiah 9:17 instructs us that we are to be gracious, kind, merciful and forgiving. To possess graciousness is to show Gods love through usstop spreading the gossip around and then use it against others!

I felt it!
Then there are times when we have been the subject of the latest gossip. Who found out about your business and told everybody? Who did you trust with your private information only to hear it back again? How often have you been publicly humiliated for something that did or did not happen? How many of your stories have been distorted and stretched beyond recognition? It doesnt feel good when it happens to you, does it? Maybe these scriptures will shed light on the subject: Psa. 101:5; Prov. 8:13; Matt. 12:36, 37; I Tim. 5:13.

A mark of spiritual maturity is to have control over your tongue (James 1:26). Gossip and slander are tools of Satan. Lets use our tongues to heal rather than destroy. Lets sow more love with our tongues. You wont die if you dont hear it, you definitely dont need to repeat itbe gracious and kind enough not to use itbecause you never know when you will feel it! 2005 Candie A. Price