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Gossip can be dangerous

By Reverend W. Flemon McIntosh Jr. | The News Herald

Published: November 28, 2008

Gossip is nothing to play with, even as common as it is. It is so dangerous the more you hear about it and see it in action. There are many destructive things in the book that came about as a reaction to gossip. The pathway of life is cluttered with the results of gossip. Broken families. Shattered clubs and organizations. And the list goes on and on. Friendships have been dashed because of gossip.
It would be wise if we would just read Proverbs 6:16-19. "There are six things doth the Lord hate: yes, the seventh are an abomination unto them: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood. An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief. A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren."
Now, what more can be said for us to see the dangers in gossip? The blueprint is just as clear as it can be. Then, why do we participate in this evil act? Well, if it is juicy, we want to hear it, and then we pick up on it to pass it on to someone else, and this is when we add our version onto it. And this becomes bigger and bigger as it floats on. And it also heats up the telephone lines.
We must remember that we are dealing with lives of people when we share in the distribution of gossip about them. How do you feel when it is done unto you? Other people have feelings just like you.
Let us take a good look at the tools of gossip that is stacked in: The Shady Dozen
1. I Heard.
2. They say.
3. Everybody says.
4. Have You Heard?
5. Isn't it awful?
6. People say.
7. Did you ever?
8. Somebody said.
9. Don't say I told you.
10. Oh, I think it is terrible.
11. Who would have thought it?
12. I am so shocked.
When we open up the conversation in this manner, then it takes on the truth. But a lie is a lie, regardless of how it may be dressed up.
Someone gave me a little plaque several years ago and it had a prayer on it. It states, "Lord, help me to keep my nose out of other people business." This is a very great prayer and it should be used by many, many people.
We must understand that there are people who would like to push the control buttons in your life in order to gain control of you. We must become aware of these persons and be on guard for them. Do not ask why there are people that would like to control your life, for this is a fact and you need to be able to be aware of them. There are plenty of people around that enjoy being in control of other people.
The way that God has made us, so if we live according to his laws, life will take on a wonderful way for you, but when you travel another pathway, this is when you take on many problems that will cause your life to fall apart. Do not try to take control of someone else's life. We need to spend our time getting our own house in order.
Now, we should get to the place in our lives wherein we trust God to do what he said He would do. The reason we believe in gossip is very common. Take a look at the headlines we see in the grocery store tabloids: Cow mattresses help cows produce more milk. World War II bomber found on the moon. Woman gives birth to 2-year-old baby: Child walks and talks in two days.
People today will believe all this outlandish stuff, but when it comes to believing God, they have a problem. It should be the other way around.
They ought to have a problem with what mankind says, not problem with what God says.
May I suggest that what God says in His word will never fail, because His word is the infallible truth that will stand when everything else is going down. You can trust God and what He said in His word, but, the big question is, can God trust you to trust, rely and obey His word?
Instead of being so quick to believe gossip, take the words of God and make them a part of your life.
God can be trusted, no matter what your situation may be; no matter what condition your health may be in; no matter how large your problems may be and no matter what others may or may not say, you can trust God.
Let us raise a few questions before we close: Before you subscribe to gossip, try answering these questions:
Can God trust you to be a witness for Him?
Can God trust you to maintain your integrity?
Can God trust you to study and obey His word?
Can God trust you to stand in the gap on behalf of somebody else?
Can God trust you to do right when it would be easier to do wrong?
Can God trust you to act good when it would be easier to act bad?
Can God trust you to stay sweet when it would be much easier to turn bitter?
Can God trust you to push gossip away, and hold on to truth?