Open your Bibles to Proverbs 17 and let's dig!
I gave you three verses to read today; so after you have read them to yourselves, I would like to focus on verse 9. Do you know what the verse is talking about? Read it again if not. Uh oh! Gossip and slander. A favorite topic among us women, I know!
I think all of us have been hurt by gossip at one time or another. We probably have even hurt someone. Sometimes entire nations get out of control about their gossip.
An example: President Lincoln's grave has been re-opened twice...just because of rumors spreading across the nation that he wasn't really dead. The first time was in 1887--twenty two years after he was killed. Fourteen years later...same reason. Rumors spreading the nation that he wasn't really in there. Couldn't even believe it the first time! Of course, Lincoln isn't the only. I mean--Elvis sightings have gone on as long as I can remember practically. And we live in Jesse James territory. Guess what? Yep...he had to be dug up too because people rumored that he wasn't there.
Oh these are just silly little rumors that didn't hurt a soul, but we all know there are rumors that have very badly hurt others. I was trying to think of a rumor that has hurt me; and here is the most recent that I can think of: When my ex husband and I separated, my deacon took it upon himself to write me a very hurtful letter accusing me of having an affair, among other things. He did not check with our Pastor first (who I'd been in counseling with through the entire process). This deacon I had known for years. His wife and I had a quilting group at the church. But he started a rumor weed...and it grew and I had to leave the church. Incidentally, I even showed the letter to my then estranged husband and he was very angry as well. He knew that the things written about me were not true. So, yes, I was deeply, deeply hurt. But God had plans for me, and I found an even better church, so it was all good in the end. For me at least. I don't know about that deacon. We've not spoken since.
On the subject of gossip, Bill Gothard gives us 5 questions to ask before listening to a negative report from someone. These would be good to jot into your journal to remember.
1. What is your reason for telling me? Widening the circle of gossip only compounds the problem.
2. Where did you get your information? Refusal to identify the source of information is a sure sign of an evil report.
3. Have you gone to those directly involved? Spirituality is not measured by how well we expose an offender but by how effectively we restore an offender (Gal. 6:1). Satan will sift you like wheat.
4. Have you personally checked out all of the facts? Even facts become distorted when not balanced with other facts or when given with negative motives.
5. Can I quote you if I check this out?
So sorry to hear you had to go through that grief. "Church people" can sometimes be the worse at spreading gossip.
ReplyDeleteI try to stay away from people I know who like to gossip. I will be writing those great questions down in my journal. Thanks for sharing.
Those five questions are really thought provoking, and I think they can be an effective stopper for gossip. I'm sorry that you've been hurt, but glad you have not been harmed. So many people allow things like that to completely change their outlook.
ReplyDeleteYour mention of the rumor "weed" made me remember that Veggie Tales video; my kiddos thought a lot of those, and they were especially horrified at the gossip pictured in that particular one. Thanks for a good post, Tonya!
Though it's no excuse, I believe many times the reason for gossip is because the teller needs to feel better about him/herself. To do that, they feel they must slander someone else, making them look bad. Or at times they believe themselves holier than thou, and it's their "duty" to point out the flaws of others. I'm so sorry you were hurt that way.
ReplyDeleteWe are all sinners, those who attend church and those who don't, and I must remember these verses and these questions posted.
I want to say that this ongoing study has really changed my way of thinking and called me on the carpet repeatedly. Thank you for sharing the truth!
Sadly church people are often the worst, and that is why so many won't come to Christ...because they see so much anger and hurt amongst the believers. Why would anyone want that?
ReplyDeleteAll the more reason for us to guard ourselves...and even stop a friend if we see them about to do something...such as gossip. If we do it in a LOVING way, then if their heart is in the right place, they will appreciate it!