Terry always talked about Roger behind his
back. I told Roger, “Terry’s always gossiping about you.” I was shocked when Roger
replied, “Terry’s always gossiping about you, too!” It really is true—the person who gossips to you will
also gossip about you. And this is why we shouldn’t be friends with
anyone who spreads rumors. “He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets,
therefore do not associate with a
gossip” (Prov. 20:19).
But just because you
talk about someone doesn’t mean that it’s gossip. You need to talk to and about
others when corrections need to be made. Second Timothy 4:2 says to reprove,
rebuke, exhort, and instruct. Sometimes it’s necessary to
talk about others, but in the right way. Ask yourself these three questions.
1. What’s my motive in sharing
this information? Do
you want to hurt someone’s reputation? Are you trying to make yourself look
better?
2. Have I verified that the information
is accurate? "Every fact is to be confirmed by the testimony of two or
three witnesses" (2 Cor. 13:1). This keeps false accusations from
destroying a person's reputation. Don’t believe everything you hear. A teacher
sent home a note to parents on the first day of school: “If you promise not to
believe everything your child says happens at school, I’ll promise not to
believe everything your child says happened at home.”
Information
gets twisted as it’s being passed along. I was once preaching a sermon and
asked the congregation, “If you’ve ever heard gossip about yourself and at
least part of it wasn’t true, please raise your hand.” The entire congregation
raised their hands! I told the church, “Remember this the next time you hear a
rumor. It’s probably inaccurate or not even true.”
3. Am I sharing this information with
someone who needs to hear it? Is the other person part of the solution?
Will everyone be better off if you don’t share it?
Remember
to ask yourself these questions the next time you’re tempted to talk about
someone. www.makinglifecount.net
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NEW PROPHECY BIBLE STUDY: When will people saved during
Millennium receive eternal glorified bodies?
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P.O. Box 680174
Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174
