The words of a whisperer[a gossip!] are as dainty morsels, they go down into the innermost parts.     Proverbs 26:22 (WEB, my paraphrase)
[Jesus said,]“Either make the tree good, and its fruit good, or make the tree corrupt, and its fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by its fruit. You offspring of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. The good man out of his good treasure brings out good things, and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings out evil things. I tell you that every idle word that men speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.â€Â    Matthew 12:33-37 (WEB)
This is another Scripture that I have not heard preached very often. And yet one of the most divisive, destructive sin plaguing our fellowships is gossip. Passing along stories and ‘juicy’ information about others is a temptation that few can say they have never experienced. We deceive ourselves in thinking we are asking for information to show our concern or to make our prayers more specific.
Check out Jesus’ words in all four gospels. Any gossip? Any mean, destructive words? Oh, yes! The Pharisees got a couple of tongue lashings, didn’t they?
Paul tells me in his letter to the Philippians that it is keeping my mind on what is “true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, virtuous, and praiseworthy†(Philippians 4:8) that is what I should think about and let flow out of my mouth. It is a conscious choice to keep my mind on such things. Remember the old saying, “garbage in – garbage outâ€. Do I guard the gateway to my heart? Do I keep my eyes and ears tuned to those things that the Holy Spirit selects? Am I willing to obey the Holy Spirit’s direction?
I have shared with you before that I ask the Holy Spirit to examine me each night that I may repent of anything that He shows me that is sin. I have been blessed as He also teaches me how to avoid the occasion of sin. He shows me what is good also! The Spirit knows my weaknesses and is the best teacher I have ever had! He directs my mind and desires to fill me only with the goodness of what my Creator has given.
Take a few minutes today and read Psalm 136. Fill up on the God’s enduring love!
