Things remembered: Lessons on Gossip, Part II

    Now I realize this is from the Gospel of Matthew, but I think this transcends out dispensational boundaries, for it addresses the heart - something relevant at all places and times. This is what Jesus had to say in Matthew 12:

 ^{34 "}O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
 ³⁵ A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
 ³⁶ But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
 ³⁷ For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned."

    If we were to consider that every word were to be weighed at the Judgement Seat... maybe we would be a little more careful with them!

     We need to use good judgement when we speak, for that is the lesson of Proverbs 26 - 

  20 "Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

  21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle   strife.

  22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly."

    Once again, the analogy is "fire"; do you want to be responsible for the destruction or delay of someone's spiritual growth? Of course not!

    And there is a further consequence: the destruction of friendships. Have you ever lost a close friend because of something that happened, even if it was something beyond your control? Didn't you feel awful about it? 

    Now, how about if it was something you could control? That is the lesson of Proverbs 16:

   27 "An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.

   28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends."

    So we see that it destroys friendships and identifies the speaker as "ungodly". Is that what you want to be known for? I certainly hope not!

    Lastly, there is a great sin in receiving gossip. If you don't receive it, it can't go any further through you, and you may even find a way to stop the "damage" right there and then. 

   Here's how it's done: when someone brings an accusation or rumor about another, stop them before they can tell you what it is, and tell that person, "Let's resolve this right now. We'll call (that person) right now, and set up a meeting so we can get this sorted out. That way, we'll get the whole story - both sides - and ensure that no one has any problems or hard feelings with the other".

    It won't be long before the gossips and talebearers (they do tend to "travel' in groups!) will learn to avoid you - and maybe learn a lesson along the way!