A number of years ago my Dad ran large Christian retreat camp grounds in Northern California. This camp was set up to serve hundreds of people (both adult retreat groups and children camps) at the same time. He had a large staff to operate the many different camp areas and services provided to campers. He would meet with this staff for short 15 minute group devotion every morning. There were two devotions that stuck with me these many years; they were lessons I remember and have applied to my life again and again. This week I would like to share about the second one (see last week for the first one): Gossip.
Due to a growing problem with gossip among the staff My Dad shared: “Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour; I am the LORD.” Leviticus 19:16 KJV
“A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.” Proverbs 11:13
“He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.” Proverbs 20:19 KJV
Dad shared how devastating it is when we share something we hear about someone else whether it is true or not. He pointed out that the Lord did not like “talebearer’s” and commanded against it. I love the next thing he told us to do! He told us that when someone comes up to us and starts telling us something about someone else we were to put our index fingers in our ears and shout at the top of our lungs, “I DON’T WANT TO HEAR IT!” When staff members started doing this others would look to see who it was that was trying to gossip. With this approach, the problem with gossiping just died off.
A dear friend of mine named Gladys shared with me that gossip actually is murder with words. Ouch! Think about it. Does gossip bring life to anyone? Whether the tale that is told is true or not its retelling brings hurt to the person being gossiped about and to the person hearing it. You see, upon hearing it that person forms a judgment against the one being gossiped about. The next time that person comes into contact with the one that was gossiped about their whole relationship with them will be colored by what they heard. Gossip brings death to fellowship.
What does it take to stop gossip? God’s Word is clear, “You shall not go up and down as a dispenser of gossip and scandal among your people,” Leviticus 19:16 AMP. Choose to obey God’s Word today; choose to not gossip. What if someone tells you something juicy about someone else, even if try to hid it in the form of a prayer request? Tell the talebearer that you choose not to gossip and would appreciate they not tell you such things again, “…therefore associate not with him who talks too freely,” Proverbs 20:19b AMP. Sound like a harsh thing to do? Yes, but sometimes you have to do something harsh and loud to show them their sin of gossip. When you have tried everything to stop the gossip and all else fails put your index fingers in your ears and shout at the top of your lungs, “I DON’T WANT TO HEAR IT!” Believe me, it works!
