Modesty Minute: Gossip Girl

Are you a gossiper?

Gossip is prevalent everywhere especially on television and social media. It is difficult to avoid, but you can if you know how to recognize it.

KEEPING IT QUIET:

Telling someone else’s personal information to a friend is a sin—even if your friend knows that person. Any personal, private, or behavioral facts, shared with a friend about someone you know, are breaking the trust of the one who is experiencing it. Don’t share facts about someone else with a friend. Even if it is not your intent to gossip, it does not change the fact that it still is tale bearing.
Furthermore, if a member of a group shares personal information with that group, it does not mean that they want to share it with others who are not in the group. Let them be the one to share their own details. The group should then know not to talk among themselves about the person who shared—unless they are planning a party for them.

“Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbor: I am the Lord.” -Leviticus 19:16 KJV (Referring to not gossiping and not standing against someone who has been slain)

CONTROL YOURSELF:

Remember, only receive information directly from someone who wants to share it with you, and then make a point to turn off the faucet of your mouth. If you have an opinion about someone’s behavior, keep it to yourself unless it is a warning to keep someone out of trouble. After all, who wants a friend they cannot trust? Those types will only do the same to you.

Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.” -Proverbs 26:20 KJV (Referring to gossip as causing arguments and contention)

EFFECTS OF GOSSIP:

Gossip can tear people’s lives apart. It can ruin friendships. It can destroy trust. Also, lives are destroyed because when a gossip releases certain details about the offender, the offender often loses favor with the hearers because of little mistakes that they have made. Oftentimes in these situations, gossipers stretch the truth. This is called deceit and it is a terrible evil.

The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.” -Proverbs 26:22 KJV (Referring to wounding the person who is being talked about)

He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.” -Proverbs 12:17 KJV

Strive to be a person whom others can trust with their personal lives and you will be a trustworthy friend in all ways.

He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips. –Proverbs 20:19 KJV