Almost everyone says they hate gossip and yet many of us are easily drawn into conversations that are unkind. How can we be a person who stops gossip rather than one who contributes to its spread?
1. We agree with God that the time to deal with gossip is NOW. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. (Colossians 3:8 NLT)
2. We decide that we won't participate in a conversation about another person when the words that are being said would be painful for that person to hear if they were present. The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense. (Proverbs 10:21 NLT) If the conversation around us moves towards gossip we can change the subject and talk about something else -- anything else that is positive.
3. We can end gossip by simply not passing on any of those words and rumors we have heard. Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down. (Proverbs 26:20 NIV)
4. We can make a point to counter negative things said about a person by expressing positive things about them.
5. We can encourage a gossiper to speak with the person they are gossiping about.
6. Sometimes if we simply suggest, "I don't feel comfortable talking about this person this way" may help the gossiper to consider what they are saying.
If a person persists in gossiping, then we are commanded by God to step away from them because it is not good for us to keep company with them. Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers. Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended. (Psalm 1:1, Proverbs 22:10 NIV) It's helpful to remember that those who gossip to you will definitely gossip about you. Don’t partake. Let’s stop gossip today!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to put positive practices into my life that will stop the cycle of gossip. Amen
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