Gossip is toxic. Your words have power and your words create momentum. What you talk about attracts itself to you. You know it, I know it, the person sitting two tables over eavesdropping knows it. It sets negativity in motion and, if we’re not careful, attracts more of the same.
Gossip hurts you, it hurts the friend you’re gossiping with, it hurts the people you’re talking about. It hurts your reputation, other's reputation and most importantly hurts your testimony, your ability to be an effective witness and God truly isn't happy with any of that.
Even when your gossip is considered ‘legitimate’ in your own mind, even when you have a right to feel scandalized or hurt by someone’s behavior it is still wrong. You might be RIGHT about your feelings, but that "rightness" isn't helping you get what you really want. Below is a scripture about what you invest in is what you will get as a return. It is the same concept.
"Cast thy bread upon the waters; for thou shalt find it after many days back to you again." Ecclesiastes 11:1
Isn't what you REALLY want is for good things to happen? What you focus on is what you create! Are you a business owner and you are talking about others who aren't doing their "business" right? Well maybe you should be positively lifting that person and that business up in prayer and guess what....the word says that is what will come back to you. YOUR business will be increased and will prosper and so will your family.
“You shall not go about as a talebearer among your people,” God instructed the congregation of the children of Israel in Leviticus 19:16. Clearly God was not referring to some benign social interaction. “Talebearer” is translated from the Hebrew râkìyl, which “refers to spreading rumors or falsities about someone. It is always used in a negative manner” (Spiros Zodhiates, Complete Word Study Dictionaries, 2003). The Enhanced Strong’s Dictionary defines this word as “a scandal-monger (as travelling about):—slander, carry tales, talebearer” (2011).
"A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much. "Proverbs 20:19
Gossipers love to secretly reveal embarrassing, surprising and shameful details of associates and even friends. They stand around; and they aren't just women...trust me there are plenty gossips that are men! They stand around and talk and think they are justified when all they are doing is being used by the enemy to erode their trust and erode their character. Furthermore, their desire to share is so great that it is “like a burning fire” on their lips—they feel they must spread the word! It makes them feel superior and better about themselves to say things about others; especially if it is about an authority in their life. God speaks plainly about a gossiper: “An ungodly man digs up evil, and it is on his lips like a burning fire” (Proverbs 16:27, emphasis added throughout).
Do not deceive yourself into thinking that what you have to say is because you are genuinely concerned or that you are a leader and you have questions that need answered. You know what is right and that is to go to the person and talk to them only. Going to others and talking people when they are not around creates a culture of distrust and disunity. The funny things is what you think that you do in secret and in confidence will always gets back to the person. That person knows the real YOU and may never tell you what they know! But most importantly...God does too.
There is truly a root to why you do what you do. It is control. You long to control others and you do that by creating division and making yourself look better and all-knowing. That is exactly what the enemy wants...a Jezebel spirit to permeate a group of people that should be going forward and advancing the kingdom. Pride cometh before a fall!
So listen to yourself speak today...what is it about? Is it about others and what they are doing wrong? If so then you need to repent and turn that finger around and point it at yourself. Because in the end it is going to be you that is held accountable for every word that proceeds out of your mouth and every person that it hurts. Choose today to create an environment around you that doesn't attract flies...but attracts honey and the wonderful things of God. Don't be a talebearer or more bluntly put...don't be a butt. Remember the water that you threw your bread on? Well be prepared for it to come rushing back to you and your household....what will it be? Whatever you created out of your mouth.
"The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom." Deuteronomy 28:13
Adjust that Crown
Jonna
