Gossip involves talking behind someone’s back and saying things you wouldn’t say if he or she were present. Talking about rather than to others is like walking on a frozen pond on a warm day in March--dangerous!
Why do people gossip? Because they--we--desire attention and power. Believers who gossip exhibit spiritual immaturity; it shows we’re not satisfied with acceptance by Christ and not ready to entrust our lives to his strong, loving hands. What’s more, when we willingly listen to gossip, it corrodes our conscience and we take on part of the guilt for spreading hurtful talk.
What does gossip do to the church? Like a carbon monoxide leak, it brings deadly consequences. Listen to Proverbs: A gossip betrays a confidence (11:13; 20:19). Gossip separates close friends (16:28). Gossip fans the flames of a quarrel so they won’t die down (26:20). When we tolerate gossip, we’re giving approval to betrayal within the body. By contrast, love for our neighbors means stopping them mid-sentence to say, "I won’t listen to this, and I believe you should speak directly with the person you’re talking about."
Gossip is poison to community. Post a guard at your mouth (Eph 4:29) to prevent the escape of all unnecessary words about people who aren’t present. The only words to let flow freely are complements. Before saying anything else about anyone, ask yourself if the curious listener needs to know what you know. When in doubt, be quiet.
If you have things you truly need to say that concern others (e.g., words of warning, correction, rebuke), deliver them directly to the people involved (Matt 18:15) and not to others--not even to close friends or your spouse. Avoid inflammatory words and exaggeration. And remember to speak the truth in love (Eph 4:15).
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Thursday, January 04, 2007
FORD, BROWN, & SADDAM
A few days ago I saw news headlines about the deaths of Gerald Ford, James Brown, and Saddam Hussein on the same page. An interesting threesome, aren’t they?
Gerald Ford, born in Nebraska, raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Eagle Scout, center on University of Michigan football team, law school, in navy during WWII, married and father of four, elected to congress, eventually Vice President and President of the US, dies at age 93.
James Brown, born during the Depression in South Carolina, jailed for armed robbery, later drawn to gospel music, then rhythm and blues, becomes the “godfather of soul,” given lifetime achievement Grammy award, yet never learns to read music, dies of heart failure.
Saddam Hussein, born in Iraq, abused by stepfather, raised by uncle, leaves law school to join revolutionary Baath Party, BP takes power in 1963 coup, he becomes government “strongman,” clutches at land and oil in Iran-Iraq war, lashes out at Kurds, invades Kuwait, deposed in 2003, hanged in 2006 for crimes against humanity.
These men led profoundly different lives, yet they had this in common: their days were numbered. Death can’t be evaded, not by power or fame or wealth or anything. Death is a great equalizer; the small and the great are suddenly the same. And the only question will be whether or not Someone has paid the penalty for your defiance of Almighty God. Do you know and trust in Jesus Christ so that you’re ready for death (John 3:16)? Have you received his gift of resurrection life (11:25)?
Gerald Ford, born in Nebraska, raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Eagle Scout, center on University of Michigan football team, law school, in navy during WWII, married and father of four, elected to congress, eventually Vice President and President of the US, dies at age 93.
James Brown, born during the Depression in South Carolina, jailed for armed robbery, later drawn to gospel music, then rhythm and blues, becomes the “godfather of soul,” given lifetime achievement Grammy award, yet never learns to read music, dies of heart failure.
Saddam Hussein, born in Iraq, abused by stepfather, raised by uncle, leaves law school to join revolutionary Baath Party, BP takes power in 1963 coup, he becomes government “strongman,” clutches at land and oil in Iran-Iraq war, lashes out at Kurds, invades Kuwait, deposed in 2003, hanged in 2006 for crimes against humanity.
These men led profoundly different lives, yet they had this in common: their days were numbered. Death can’t be evaded, not by power or fame or wealth or anything. Death is a great equalizer; the small and the great are suddenly the same. And the only question will be whether or not Someone has paid the penalty for your defiance of Almighty God. Do you know and trust in Jesus Christ so that you’re ready for death (John 3:16)? Have you received his gift of resurrection life (11:25)?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)