According to
the Merriam-Webster dictionary, Gossip is defined as a person who habitually
reveals personal or sensational facts about others; a rumor or report of an
intimate nature; a chatty talk. Why do we gossip? Because we as humans still live
in a sinful state of mind. But the Bible still does not excuse gossiping. In Romans 1: 28-32, Paul list gossiping among
such sins as murdering, deceit and sexual immorality. In the modern Church, we
fail to view a ‘little sharing of information’ as harmful.
Gossip clearly put, is sharing
information about another that is not needed. Many people think sharing
something bad about someone is gossip
but sharing something good or personal can also be gossip. Why did Paul spent
so much time speaking on gossiping in the epistles? Because the Church was
gossiping and it was causing strife and guess what? A lack of growth. God’s
Church is a Body, a body needs to grow. When we use our tongues to hurt another
part of the Body, that wounded part ceases to grow. We do not want that.
James 3: 9-10 reads, “With it [the
tongue] we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been
made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and
cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.” Which means what
comes out of our mouth in the privacy of our own home or phone conversations,
God hears it and takes account of it. He takes is very seriously, because we
are talking about someone He dearly loves and has a plan for.
What would mark us as God’s people
to the world? In John 13:35, Jesus Himself said it’s our love for one another that will prove to the world that we are His
disciples. Is the local church united? Especially in how we esteem each other when nobody is looking?
God is calling us to do better. He
wants His church to grow to a full, mature body.
In Romans 7: 14-25, we see Paul’s
thoughts on his struggle against sin, “I want to do what is good, but I don’t.
I don’t want to do what is wrong but I do it anyway…Oh, what a miserable person
I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank
God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.”
See, we can no longer say “I can’t
help it God!” because Jesus is the answer. The Holy Spirit will help you and He
is always with you (John 14:16). God Bless.
