“My name is Gossip. I have no respect for justice. I maim without killing. I break hearts and ruin lives. I am cunning and malicious and gather strength with age. The more I am quoted, the more I am believed. I flourish at every level of society. My victims are helpless. They cannot protect themselves against me because I have no face. To track me down is impossible. The harder you try, the more elusive I become. I am nobody’s friend. Once I tarnish a reputation, it is never the same. I topple governments, wreck marriages, and ruin careers -- cause sleepless nights, heartaches, and indigestion. I spawn suspicion and generate grief. I make innocent people cry in their pillows. Even my name hisses… I make headlines and headaches. Before you repeat a story, ask yourself, Is it true? Is it fair? Is it necessary?”²

Before speaking, especially when it involves someone else, we should make sure that what we are saying is truthful. We should always seek to edify those around us with our words, instead of speaking just to make noise. Gossip has no place within the people of God, yet, sadly, I have seen many problems arise, many relationships destroyed, and many people leave the church all because of it.

Let us always invest our time in things that are profitable to the growth of God’s Kingdom, and let us abstain from becoming involved in gossip, both directly and indirectly. The way we talk with or about others, will say a lot about our relationship with Christ. James 1:26 says, “If those who claim devotion to God don’t control what they say, they mislead themselves. Their devotion is worthless.” Wow!! Let others know without a doubt that we are true Christians by the way we uplift others with our words.

Suggested prayer: Dear God, please keep me from all forms of gossip. Help me stay away from idle talk, and instead seek to associate myself with those who are edifying each other. I want to please you with my thoughts and words, and I want others to draw closer to you by the way I live. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus’ name, amen.

1. Proverbs 11:13 (NLT).

2. Laura Schlessinger, The Ten Commandments: The significance of God’s Laws in Everyday Life, p. 203.

Today’s Encounter was written by: Crystal B.