Grace over Gossip

I know, I know. We have all had our fair share of gossip with our friends. I am sure MOST of us have had gossip spread about us, I know I have. Do you remember how uncomfy you felt knowing others were speaking about you instead of at you? I know I do.

SOOOOOO what does the bible call us to do when we are tempted to start gossiping about someone with our friends? TO SHUT OUR MOUTHS. It's so hard sometimes, especially when we've been hurt by someone. Lets first take a look at some definitions to help us get through this on the same page.

 

Definitions 

Gossip: casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details that are not confirmed as being true.

Notice the keyword typically. This means, even if it IS true, technically speaking, that is STILL gossip.

Unconstrained: not restricted or limited.

So getting down to business, any talk that is not restricted or limited about someone else with your friends, or spouse, is in fact gossip. 

When i first started becoming aware of my tendency to gossip, it was a big ol whammy right to the chest. It was one of the very first things God told me I needed to SERIOUSLY work on. The conviction my Bible Besties, was way TOO REAL. I honestly didn't even know what to do or how to handle it at first, so I turned to scripture.

 

Friend or Foe?

 There are so many scriptures telling us to just keep our mouths shut and to use your tongues for only good. Sounds easy enough right? WRONG! When we try to stop gossiping, you start to realize just how much of it you were doing. You start to see that it might be one of the only or main things you do with certain people. That feeling gets really uncomfortable and hard to maneuver. If this friendship is built on gossiping will it even last? The answer to that is in between you and God and if your friends are willing to make a change of heart as well. This is what the bible says;

 

We are not to judge others for partaking in gossip, but we are to keep our mouths shut and not sit by and witness it. I still slip up sometimes because I am human and make mistakes, I just pray that God and my friends will correct me in the moment. 

So no gossiping, what do we talk about now? God, How he is working in your life. What you did that day, how wild your kids are acting, or something you feel you are being led to do. You can in turn start to build meaningful relationships with a foundation on things that really matter. When you stop gossiping, you realize how much free time you find yourself having, when others business is no longer your business, well, at least I did. 

 

So lets make a pact to try and stop gossiping and use our tongues for uplifting others as the bible says the tongue is powerful. 

 

 

 

Prayer to prevent gossiping;

Father, please help me only use my tongue for life. I am so thankful for all that you have shown me. I am asking forgiveness for using my words to cut others down when you have called me to build them up. When I stumble I ask that you will give me a strong sense of conviction and even lay it on the listeners heart to tell me I am in the wrong. God I ask that you will remove those in my life that will only cause me temptation in gossiping and those who's friendships are not true enough to not involve speaking ill of others. Please bring into my life other women who I can build true friendships with you as the center. Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.(Psalms 141:3) In Jesus name we pray,

AMEN

 

 

 

Wanting more on this topic? Don't worry, I am working on a 8 Week Devotional! 

SOURCES: BIBLE; Oxford Languages;