We live in a culture that does not frown on gossip. A time when gossip is actually exalted and etertained. Think about the tabloids that fill our newstands, the shows on television actually lock in viewers because of the juicy gossip that they air. Yes , society has made gossip not only acceptable but the norm of any conversation.
What is gossip anyway? –casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details which are not confirmed as true.
He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, Therefore do not associate with a gossip. (Proverbs 20:19 NLT)
I have found myself in conversations that start off well and somehow end up in gossip and before i know it am convicted by the Holy Spirit on a comment i made that was uncalled for. Other times it is a statement i contributed to the conversation which was unnecessary and is in the gossip category! Over and over again i have found myself so angry and disappointed and wondering how i could really avoid gossip. How do i catch it before it catches me?
Gossip is simply a vice!
Gossip can be likened to weeds. Weeds have never been good for any garden as they affect the harvest. Gossip hinders us from bearing the fruit of the Spirit.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Grass-in-Driveways-56a5940d3df78cf77288e2bb.jpg)
Picture a piece of land, whose gardener has sown seeds and is expecting a bountiful harvest. However as the seeds sprout, some weeds come alongside the plants. On a weeding exercise, the gardener finds that the weeds are in the cracked parts of the land, with very deep roots. The gardener then goes on to uproot the weeds and water the cracked part of the soil.
The land represents our hearts, the gardener is God, the seeds represent the Word of God, and the weeds represent the gossip. The cracked part in the land represents the brokeness in our hearts where the weeds (gossip) take their roots. If the weeds are not uprooted in time, they will affect the quality of the harvest. Similarly gossip affects the fruit of our lives. It is impossible to be loving , joyful, peaceful, patient, meek gentle, self controlled while gossipping.
Out of the abundance the heart , the mouth speaks! If the garden is filled with weeds, then your mouth will definitely gossip!
Gossip is a heart matter that reveals an inner brokeness that only the Holy Spirit can heal.
Whenever we participate and etertain gossip in our lives, the crack only gets extended and starts occupying more space in the land of your heart. Gossip is not the balm that that soothes or even heals the brokeness, it actually makes it worse.
Praise God for the precious Holy Spirit who reveals to us the cracks and is able to not only uproot the weeds but also heal the cracks in the garden of our hearts. The Holy Spirit will come and heal the brokeness which feeds this terrible vice when we open up and let Him.
If like, me you cant stand gossip of any kind, invite the Holy Spirit to show you the cracks in the garden of your heart. Allow Him to heal you.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for your Spirit, that you have freely given to us your children. Thank you Holy Spirit for all you do in making us Christlike. Forgive us Lord for all the times we have gossipped or been tale bearers. Have mercy my God and heal us. Abba Father, fill our hearts with your word, Jesus Christ that through your precious Spirit we may overflow with your love towards one another. May our hearts overflow with love that our words will indeed be anointed with your love in each and every conversation we participate in. May we be vessels of truth. In Jesus name i pray, AMEN