*_’A wicked person listens to deceitful lips; a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.’ – Proverbs 17:4
We have ALL gossiped at one point or another in our lives, whether we want to hear it or not. There’s nothing wrong with talking about someone else behind their back, is there? Here is a better question: “Do the words of your mouth honor God?”
God repeatedly warns us in the Bible that we should not gossip or speak evil of others. Gossiping about others breaks relationships and makes people distrustful. It’s the opposite of love! God wants us to respect each other and live together in love, but we do not honor God by speaking badly behind someone’s back.
It is so easy to talk about someone’s weaknesses and laugh, but it is the devil on your shoulder whispering in your ear. Chase him away if that happens. Please stand up for others who are not there to defend themselves. You, as a Christian, have a responsibility to be different from the world. Don’t gossip
Also, do not spread lies from anyone because the devil is the father of all lies (John 8:44), and you are a child of God, are you not? When you gossip about someone, it says more about your character than the person’s. Follow Jesus’ example and help one another in love.
Gossip Should Bother You
Prayer: Almighty Father, please put a guard over my mouth. Help me to speak in love and to praise You with my lips. Give me the strength to stand firm in times of temptation and against the devil’s lies. Thank you for the example that Jesus gives me in the Bible and helps me live more like Him. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Challenge: When you are again in a conversation with someone, and it leads to gossip, instead mention an excellent quality of the person’s character and thank God for it.
