We All Do It
Never in my life have I heard so much gossip than at church or in a bible study. It’s really a sad thing when we can’t even avoid exploiting each other for a topic of conversation. So many times I’ve heard a prayer request turn into a long story involving other people and their apparently evil ways. What really frustrates me is when people in a Christian circle gossip about each other. How can we possibly live a life for the benefit of others (the core philosophy behind our beliefs and lives), when we constantly cease to respect one another? Do we not know that gossip directly causes division among us?
Below are some issues taking place in my life. I’m sharing them because they are real and are affecting me. I hope I am not spreading negativity about anyone through these testimonies:
Right now I’m attending a weekly bible study, and I feel as though everyone is separated. Last week before we went out for coffee, a dedicated member of our group was told the meeting was over, and was driven home. These friends of mine met me at the coffee shop after “getting rid of” this fellow Christian. I should have told them why this was such a horrible thing to do. As I sat with them and shared some hot drinks, I felt guilty but I didn’t do anything.
This week my friends girlfriend is back after a long time away. Some of the girls have made it clear to me that they find her “snobby” and “hate her so much.” Apparently one of the girls heard from a friend of my friends girlfriend, that she also does not like these girls that are also not very fond of her. These people who apparently hate each other have only met each other once, shortly.
Silly, immature and anti-Christ arguments like this must stop. They may seem like harmless opinions but it’s so clear what damage they do. Didn’t we learn this as little kids? If just side of this issue chose to love the other party (as Jesus has taught us to do), than we can begin to experience this new humanity that Jesus has called us to. I’m not even directly affected by any of these petty issues, and yet they divide so many people in my life. I then feel like a failure because I can’t seem to help. I’m definitely guilty of the same sin, and I’ve done it plenty of times, but lately I’ve been forcing myself to not take part in it. I’ve cut down on gossiping a lot, and I feel better knowing that I’m not dividing people.
I don’t hate people who gossip, because we all do it. It’s the gossip itself I don’t like. The issue is, if we know it’s so bad, why do we still do it? Do we live such empty lives that all we have to talk about is other people? Maybe we feel the need to be liked, so we talk about other people to relate to each other. Whatever the reason, there is no good reason to gossip about each other.
To reiterate, when we gossip, we:
Exploit each other.
Divide ourselves.
Reverse the very purpose of our beliefs, and our lives as Christians.
Burden ourselves with unnecessary hatred for each other.
So please, for the sake of ourselves, and for every person we know, try to stop gossiping. It doesn’t matter who your talking about, or what situation your in. Gossip is never good and will only regress what Jesus has taught us.
I don’t usually like to throw Bible verses around, but a lot of the verses against gossip are plainly obvious. Some bible verses against gossip are:
Matthew 19:19, Matthew 7:1-5, 1 John 4:20, 1 Peter 4:8, 2 Thessalonians 3:11, Proverbs 16:27-28, Proverbs 26:20-26, there are many more.
Peace and Love,
Me
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