Picture this: you and your best friend are hanging out after school, and she's sharing the latest juicy news about everyone. When she pauses for a breath, you keep it going. After you guys are done talking about the girls you don’t like, the girls you do like, and everyone in between, you start to wonder if what you're doing is wrong. Is it wrong to gossip about people, even if they hand you a reason to gossip about them? Even if what you’re saying is true? The answer is yes. It is very wrong. I’m not going to pretend like I’m perfect in this area. There have been plenty of occasions where I was the one starting gossip about people to my friends. I often catch myself and stop before I get myself in too deep, but there have definitely been times where I’ve gone on and on. The thing is, God is very clear on this. If you struggle in this area, let me help you out. Here are a few scriptures to use as filters for when it comes to talking about others.
1. Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. This scripture tells us that we’re only supposed to say things that are helpful and beneficial. As Christians, we’re called to build others up, not tear them down. 2. Luke 6:31 Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. We’ve probably all heard this scripture, otherwise known as the Golden Rule. Think about it like this: how would you feel if you heard someone saying the same thing about you that you said about someone else? 3. Philippians 4:8 Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things. We’re called to speak positive things. God wants us to only say things that are honest, just, pure, and lovely. Don’t be the person who speaks negativity into other people’s life. 4. Ephesians 5:4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking... A lot of jokes these days are full of filthiness, foolishness, and crudeness. Be the person who refuses to fall into that trap. The thing about gossip is that people always think that they can talk about people and they'll never find out. But why would you want to take that risk? You probably think you’re being discreet but, chances are, someone heard you. If the person you’re talking about finds out, you've likely lost a friendship; or at least their trust. Proverbs 11:13 says: A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret. And here’s the scary part: on judgement day, you're going to have to give account for every time you gossip. That means that you'll have to explain to Jesus why you were gossiping about His child. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak. Matthew 12:36. So even if the person you're talking about never finds out, you're going to have to have a conversation with God about every careless word that you speak. That's a conversation I really don't want to have, and I have a feeling you probably don't want to have it either. So next time you and you friends are talking about someone, put your words through this filter: Is what I’m saying: Wholesome? Helpful? Beneficial? Something I’d want someone to say about me? True? Honest? Just? Pure? Lovely? Good? Virtuous? Praise-worthy? If you can’t answer yes to all of those questions, it’s probably something that doesn’t need to be said. Words have power. Way more power than we sometimes realize. Let’s not abuse that power. Choose to let your words build others up instead of tearing them down.
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MissionIn short, I started this blog because I want to give girls all over the world hope. All of the topics I write about on this blog are things that I have struggled with or am still struggling with. I want to help young women everywhere achieve freedom through Christ. Archives
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