Gossip Girl

"Let me tell you what ____ did.""Wow, I can't believe ___ did that.""If I were ____, I would have _____." 

You fill in the blanks. 

It's Gossip. 

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

Well, the conversation may not go exactly like that, but you know how it goes. Gossip is the thing nowadays- Gossip Girl, Gossip news channels, Gossip news columns, Gossip magazines, your momma gossip, your grandma gossip, even men nowadays gossip. Everybody loves gossip. Gossip is one of those things that we just absolutely love nowadays. It's nothing like a juicy story about somebody, especially if you don't really like that person, right? You know what I'm saying?!!

Here's the problem though. You know I have to do it, we have to throw some truth on this! Gossip is one of those sins that will creep up on you like nobody's business (pun intended- inserts 5 laughing emojis here). Okay, but seriously, gossip is really dangerous. Not only is it dangerous, but it's also a sin! Here's a few scriptures on it for you truth lovers:

• "A gossip betrays a confidence, but a faithful person keeps a secret." (Prov 11:13)
• "Hiding hatred makes you a liar; slandering others makes you a fool." (Prov 10:18) 
• "A scoundrel plots evil, and on their lips it is like a scorching fire. A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates friends." (Proverbs 16:27-28)

I put those in the NIV for you to really get what's going on when you gossip.
Here's 6 things to remember when you gossip:

1) You are usually betraying someone's confidence. 

2) You are a slanderer. You are slandering someone. People may not have even met the person you're talking about, but you give them an expectation of that person.

3) You are a fool. (I didn't say it, God did!)

4) Gossip usually roots from a deeper issue. (Oftentimes, it's jealousy or hatred)

5) Gossip separates people.

6) You're usually lying, and lying made it on the list of the 7 most hated sins. 

See, no good can come from gossip. Understand that in the last days that this sin will become worse and worse. 

So in the words of Andy Mineo, "Gossip. Stop it. Why you want to talk to me about it? Go tell he or she about it."

I know, I know, it's so easy to get caught up in. Our flesh craves it! We just want know. We have to know. But you must, you must put that flesh under subjection. Don't spread it and don't listen to it. Before I met my husband, I had no issue gossipping (yes, I still claimed to be a Christian). It was a bondage. But he told me something that changed the way I viewed gossip, "Don't put your mouth on anybody because God is listening and He'll bring those same things you're putting your mouth on other people about on you." That was enough for me to not take gossipping lightly. Because God will not take it lightly. The judgement you place on others, you'll be judged in the same measure (Matt 7:2).

Will you get it perfect? Probably not! But it is essential that you don't practice a life of gossing. Here's a couple ways to avoid gossiping.

1) Recognize when a conversation turns into gossip- turn your gossip sensors on (see #2)
2) If the conversation is not edifying, then it is gossip. No unwholesome talk. (Eph 4:29)
3) Turn off and get rid of the gossipping tv shows, radio shows, magazines, etc.. (What you fill yourself up with will come out)
4) Be aware of any feelings of jealousy, anger, or comparison (in all of your conversations while sharing or listening)
5) Stay away from people you normally gossip with or are known to gossip (until you're able to handle guiding a conversation without it leading to gossip).
6) Avoid gossip situations (at work, church, school, grocery stores, even on social media, etc..)
7) Let the Lord take control over what you say. Do all that you say and do unto the Lord.  Let Him change your heart. (Psalm 141:3) (Colossians 3:23)

I hope this reading has blessed you. If you have any other tips on how to avoid gossipping or know any other dangers of gossip, share them with me. My prayer is that we begin to recognize when we are gossiping. Relationships will get better and some even restored. Make a vow to yourself to try not to gossip. Pray for conviction and discernment to recognize when you are gossipping. When you know better you do better. Just remember, that's none of your business.

P.S. Check out Andy Mineo's song!
Andy Mineo - None of My Business