Help To Overcome Gossip (Part 2 of 2)
Second, to overcome the temptation to spread gossip we need to realize that “every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment” (Matthew 12:36). When we stand before God in the judgment day, the words we have spoken will either justify us, or condemn us (vs.37). Gossip is nothing more than idle chatter, mindless drivel. While gossip serves no good purpose in the kingdom of God’s dear Son, it is one of Satan’s most effective, and most preferred, tools. Often idle words are a result of idle workers in the Lord’s vineyard. Many who would attempt to sully the reputation of another do so because they have nothing better to do. As the old saying goes, “Idle hands [and minds] are the Devil’s workshop.” Hands that should be busy gathering sheaves for the Lord are too busy prying into the business of others. “And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not” (1 Timothy 5:13). If we are busy working for the Lord (as we should be), we will have no time for idle chatter.
Third, to overcome the evil of gossip we must mature. He who is able to control the tongue exhibits control that belongs only to those who are mature Christians. “For in many things we offend all. If any many offend not in word, the same is a perfect [complete, mature] man, and able also to bridle the whole body” (James 3:2). It is not an easy task to bridle the tongue, for it is “an unruly evil” (James 3:8). It requires patience, wisdom, and maturity to exercise proper control over this little member. Though difficult, it is our obligation as Christians to practice such restraint. The child of God who engages in gossip (or any other abuse of the tongue for that matter) displays his lack of maturity in things spiritual. Failure to grow as a child of God is expressly condemned in Scripture: “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:12-14). The practitioners of gossip often see themselves as religious giants, when in reality they are nothing more than spiritual imps. Just as taunting and teasing are characteristic of immaturity, gossip, slander, whispering, backbiting, and the like are indicative of those who have failed to progress past spiritual infancy.
Gossip has brought to ruin many a good man and woman who were the subject of it. How unfortunate it is that good names may be marred by vicious lies and half truths. Sadder still is the condition of the souls of those who would be guilty of speaking such and/or providing a forum for such to be spoken. While attempting to destroy another, whether knowingly or not, gossip will ultimately destroy him who supports it. May we endeavor to overcome this great evil by loving our fellow man, by realizing we will answer for the words we speak, and by maturing in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ.
-Patrick Morrison
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