Prayer Request?

²⁰ 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 discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder. -Corinthians 12:20

Gossip.  We know it's a no-no.  Even non-Christians know that gossip is a bad thing.  If we didn't know better, we wouldn't close the door or suddenly drop the volume of our voices before we spoke.  But just like any rule or law, we find our loopholes.  We dress up gossip as "concern."  Some would say it isn't gossip if it's true.  And then there are those who would dress up gossip as "a prayer request."  I love this video of the Anjelah Johnson monologue...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3y2jYbrnVDs

Wow... really not far from the truth, is it?

We gossip because it makes us feel like we are in a position of power.  It makes us feel important.  We "know" something others don't.  But we need to also remember the hurt it causes... even if it is true.  Don't forget that it takes at least two to participate:  a speaker... and a listener.  It only takes self-discipline not to be the speaker, but it also takes courage not to be the listener.  We may have to risk hurting the speaker's feelings by either pointing out their sin or walking away.

A good tactic to try though is to speak positive things about the one being gossiped about.  It can turn a negative conversation into one that builds someone up.  This is the option I try for when I have not been sucked in by the gossip, which I confess, happens all too often.

Let's take today and try to speak only good about other people, no matter what others are saying about them.

Lord Jesus,
I confess that I am often drawn into gossip.  Help me to build others up rather than tear them down.  Amen.

Joys:  A day off with Cecelia; Richard cooking supper each night; funny videos