Rumor Has It
Have you ever gossiped about someone? As much as I would like to be able to say I have not, I know I have. Have people ever gossiped about you?! Maybe what was said was so ridiculous that you wanted to laugh? Or maybe it was so incredibly hurtful that you wanted to cry? Or maybe it filled you with an enormous amount of anger that you felt like giving them a piece of your mind? The Bible says, “Those who consider themselves religious and do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.” (James 1:26) Or what about this one… James 4:11 “Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgement with it.”
It might be easy for us to think that gossip isn’t as bad as some other sins, however in Romans 1:28-32 gossip is included in the same verse with others sins a depraved mind commits. Calvary is a witness of how much our heavenly Father detests sin. The justice of God required death to all who broke His law. Jesus Christ, through His precious blood died in our place for the sins of the world that we could be restored into a right relationship with Him.
Do you want to be a person who is known for building people up or for tearing them down? Do you want to be one who people can trust or one that people avoid because you talk too much? Do you want to be known as a gossip or a person who hears something, whether it’s the truth or not, and chooses to pray, knowing that you will accomplish much through prayer?! Words have power. We can use our words to bless, not curse. If wisdom is what we are seeking… and I know that I am because it’s more “precious than rubies” then we need to be trained by the Holy Spirit to “hold our tongue” (Proverbs 10:19) and not take part in gossiping.
If you’ve been gossiped about, hurt beyond expression just remember the God of all creation, the “Man of many sorrows and acquainted with grief, Jesus Christ,” (Isaiah 53:3) knows how you feel. Remember what He says about you… redeemed, seen, loved beyond measure, chosen, adopted, forgiven, known, and you are His masterpiece. Your past doesn’t define who you are. People don’t get to determine your value. God does and do you know what He says?! “He makes all things new” and “You are HIS” and you are PRECIOUS.” (Isaiah 43:4)
