Things remembered: Lessons on Gossip, Part I

    I was reminiscing with friends the other day, remembering some of the lessons that I learned... this one was on gossip. It was a young church, and the (young) pastor was determined to at least try to prevent something he saw as destructive in some of the churches he had attended or visited. This was how it was taught to the men of the church, as best I can recall...

    Gossip will tear a church apart. Nothing we do will disrupt the unity of the church more than gossip. The scriptures are clear on this - James 3:5-12 tells us this:

" 5Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things.  Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

 6And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

 7For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

 8But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

 9Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

 10Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

 11Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

 12Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh."

    So we see the importance of keeping the tongue in check and under control. And as regards the church - and the "church family" - it becomes even more important, for the church is normally the center of the believer's spiritual growth and ministry. So we need to be careful how we treat the folks we deal with, for we all have a part in each other's spiritual growth and success. 

    Consider why you think you need to talk about someone else. Are you trying to help? Or are you trying to make yourself look better to the people around you? You know the Scripture says that is unwise

    - 2 Corinthians 10:12 - "For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."

There is no profit whatever in comparing ourselves with others. We do not all have the same circumstances, or the same spiritual calling, or the same exact walk with God. And even if we did, we would still be passing judgement on “another man’s servant” – Romans 14:4 –

 “Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.”

   That is a good thing to avoid!

    More to come…