Post by solitarysoul on Apr 25, 2007 20:57:31 GMT -5
"Avoid Gossip" - Devotion for March 11th, 2007
Today's Scripture
"A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue." - Proverbs 17:4
Today's Word
We all know those who like to gossip. You may be one of them, nearly everyone does at some point. When we hear something bad or unusual that someone else has done, the easy and pleasing thing to do is to talk about that person and spread the news.
But you may be suprised to realize that the Bible says that even if you listen to these things and allow such rumors to continue, you are just as bad as those who are talking about the person. Someone may say they would never talk badly about someone, yet they still listen to it and may even laugh along. While this person may not tell others or may not say anything in responce, they are still just as guilty by listening to what the gossiper has to say. If someone steals a car and they give it to you freely, would you, knowing it was stolen, take it and think that you are innocent of the crime?
Some people think gossip isn't a bad thing at all, it is simply spreading rumors. But the Bible makes it clear that God hates gossip. And according to the Bible, not only are you a gossiper if you spread rumors or talk down about people, but you are just as guilty as the gossiper if you listen to what they have to say, even if you don't pass it on.
A true friend would not gossip about others. Even if you have a friend who gossips about people, but tells you they would never talk about you in that way, chances are they are lieing. They may mean good, and they may be sincere in their promises to you, but once they get put in that situation where they have the chance to talk about you, their habits will take over and they will gossip about you as well. They won't be able to resist it. You can't trust someone simply by their words, because habits and temptation will overcome them at times. You must trust people by the way they demonstrate themselves. If someone tells you they would never gossip about you, take a look at their character. Do they gossip about others? If so, they will gossip about you as well, even if they promise they won't.
When someone starts to gossip to you, the best thing to do is to ask them to stop. Just be very up front about it. Don't be rude, but be straight forward about it. Ask them not to talk about it anymore to anyone and to just let it go. A true friend will accept that and apologize. If they do not, chances are they are going to start gossiping about you as well, about that very incident. And why would you want to be friends with someone like that?
If you as much as listen to a gossiper, you will only act as fuel for the fire, because that person will continue to have the impression that it is ok to spread the rumor.
Copyright © 2007 T. Scott Morgan | www.the-daily-blessing.com
Please feel free to forward this message on as much as you like, as long as this copyright stays intact and the
devotion is not altered.
This devotion may NOT be redistrubuted for profit.
Today's Scripture
"A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue." - Proverbs 17:4
Today's Word
We all know those who like to gossip. You may be one of them, nearly everyone does at some point. When we hear something bad or unusual that someone else has done, the easy and pleasing thing to do is to talk about that person and spread the news.
But you may be suprised to realize that the Bible says that even if you listen to these things and allow such rumors to continue, you are just as bad as those who are talking about the person. Someone may say they would never talk badly about someone, yet they still listen to it and may even laugh along. While this person may not tell others or may not say anything in responce, they are still just as guilty by listening to what the gossiper has to say. If someone steals a car and they give it to you freely, would you, knowing it was stolen, take it and think that you are innocent of the crime?
Some people think gossip isn't a bad thing at all, it is simply spreading rumors. But the Bible makes it clear that God hates gossip. And according to the Bible, not only are you a gossiper if you spread rumors or talk down about people, but you are just as guilty as the gossiper if you listen to what they have to say, even if you don't pass it on.
A true friend would not gossip about others. Even if you have a friend who gossips about people, but tells you they would never talk about you in that way, chances are they are lieing. They may mean good, and they may be sincere in their promises to you, but once they get put in that situation where they have the chance to talk about you, their habits will take over and they will gossip about you as well. They won't be able to resist it. You can't trust someone simply by their words, because habits and temptation will overcome them at times. You must trust people by the way they demonstrate themselves. If someone tells you they would never gossip about you, take a look at their character. Do they gossip about others? If so, they will gossip about you as well, even if they promise they won't.
When someone starts to gossip to you, the best thing to do is to ask them to stop. Just be very up front about it. Don't be rude, but be straight forward about it. Ask them not to talk about it anymore to anyone and to just let it go. A true friend will accept that and apologize. If they do not, chances are they are going to start gossiping about you as well, about that very incident. And why would you want to be friends with someone like that?
If you as much as listen to a gossiper, you will only act as fuel for the fire, because that person will continue to have the impression that it is ok to spread the rumor.
Copyright © 2007 T. Scott Morgan | www.the-daily-blessing.com
Please feel free to forward this message on as much as you like, as long as this copyright stays intact and the
devotion is not altered.
This devotion may NOT be redistrubuted for profit.