As we are listening to others tell us stories about their friends’, family members’, co-workers’, church leaders’, and entertainers’ hardships, betrayals, rumors, and embarrassing moments, what is our reason for listening?
At times we try to rationalize our listening reason by justifying that we are listening so that we can pray for them as they are going through their hardships.
Let us add to our October word fast the avoidance of Gossip. Here are some suggestive steps to take to cleanse our spirit from the disease called gossip:
Do not vent our aggravations or frustrations to someone we do not trust in Christ. This will stop us from being gossip about.
Identify trigger words of a gossiper. For examples here are some favorite expressions. I am not trying to talk about. Did you know? Have you heard? We need to pray for. I am going to tell you something but you cannot tell anyone.
When we notice that the conversation is entering the gossip zone, smoothly change the topic. For example, when approach about praying about a person, politely say, let us pray for that person right now. Pray and change the subject.
Never repeat information about others that does not need to be repeated.
Scripture to include in our word fast on avoidance of gossip is
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear” (Ephesians 4:29 ESV).
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