If you’re inclined to gossip, read this carefully: ‘I maim without killing. I break hearts and ruin lives. I am cunning and malicious, and I gather strength with age. The more I’m quoted, the more I’m believed. I flourish at every level of society. My victims are helpless; they can’t protect themselves against me because I have no name and no face. To track me down is impossible. The harder you try, the more elusive I become. I’m nobody’s friend. Once I tarnish a reputation, it’s never the same. I topple governments, wreck marriages, and make innocent people cry. Who am I? My name is gossip!’ Solomon said, ‘Rumours are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart’ (Proverbs 18:8 NLT). When it comes to the sin of gossip, note carefully what Jesus said: ‘Every idle word…men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned’ (Matthew 12:36-37 KJV). One day we will stand before God to be evaluated and rewarded. Revelation 20:12 says, ‘And the books were opened.’ The word ‘books’ indicates there will be several. So might there be a ‘book of words’? If you believe there could be, you won’t break someone’s heart by spreading their secrets, betraying their confidence, ruining their good name, and undermining their self-esteem with ridicule and innuendo. You simply won’t do it! David prayed, ‘Control…what I say, O LORD, and guard my lips.’ And that’s a prayer each of us needs to pray on a regular basis.

© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International.