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Have you Heard?

by Nancy Quinn  
7/18/2008 / Devotionals

"Did you hear what happened to Mindy's son? He was caught smoking marijuana outside the grocery store. I heard the police are sending him to Juvenile Hall. I knew he was trouble. Have you seen how long his parents allow him to wear his hair?"

Gossip is to some people a taste better than a super hot fudge sundae with nuts. Why is bad news easier to spread then good news? I guess part of the reason could be that we're grateful it's not us. And when someone else's life sounds worse than ours, it somehow makes us feel better about our own lives, although briefly. But is the brief reprieve from our own problems by telling other people's private situations worth it?

Idle gossip for the most part is generally unsubstantiated and the gossipers are sharing a story that many times they have heard from a third party who most likely has embellished the story a bit to make it even more exciting. Gossiping is easy; being a Christian is not. As a Christian when I hear gossip, I try to maintain my testimony. The most important thing is to allow the news to stop with me and not to carry it on to the next person. What would happen if we all said, "Oh, that's terrible. I'll keep the family in my prayers." Imagine how great life would be if all the people hearing gossip would simply PRAY for the situation instead of spreading the news about it?

Sometimes prayer groups and Bible studies can unwittingly turn into gossip sessions. Before the first session of a new Bible study group or prayer group begins, it should have ground rules. The things that are shared within the group must stay within the group. Having the freedom to talk about an issue with your brothers and sisters in Christ should be done in trust that they will listen, support and lift you up in prayer. What a privilege we have to bear each other's burdens. We should always resist gossip, and most of the time, even those super hot fudge sundaes with nuts!

Proverbs 20:19 "A gossip goes around telling secrets, so don't hang around with chatterers."

Proverbs 16:28 "A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends."

Proverbs 17:4 "Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip; liars pay close attention to slander."

May God bless these words as I strive to encourage others in their walk with Christ. Please contact me if you would like to request a specific lesson that Lucy Mouse can teach your children or if you would like a coloring page to be sent to match the story!

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