I took a detour last week from talking about Dave Ramsey’s Five Enemies of Unity due to Veterans Day, but let’s move to Public Enemy Number #2 – Unbridled Gossip. Ramsey is convinced that gossip can kill an organizational spirit quicker than anything else. In fact, he states in his business organization, sharing gossip is a reason to be fired. WOW!
What is it about gossip that makes it so prevalent in the Baptist church? Gossip destroys. Here are some biblical references to the power of gossip in Proverbs:
· Proverbs 11:13 - A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.
· Proverbs 16:28 -- A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends.
· Proverbs 18:8 - The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts.
· Proverbs 20:19 -- A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much.
· Proverbs 26:20 -- Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.
Paul lists gossips alongside slanders and God-Haters in Romans 1 as he describes the depraved condition of humanity. When he reprimands the church at Corinth in 2 Corinthians 12, he writes, “For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.”
So beware! If you want to destroy the church, allow gossip to reign in your journey. If you want the church to be united and live out its mission of God’s community, then change your language.
How do you stop it? Pray that God will help your language be clear. When you hear someone else disparaging someone else, speak the truth the love and remind them that disciples are called to live differently. Paul reminds us of the importance of our language in Ephesians 4. Gossip destroys! Don’t let it have sway in your circles of friends, even at the church.
Just a reminder – following the 11:00 worship service November 23, we will meet in the fellowship hall to talk about the steps of the pastoral search process. Several have expressed interest in understanding more about what takes place in this process. Join us if you can.
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