Gossip?

Gossiping happens all around us every day, and it is extremely hurtful. It may seem cool to spread “the latest news” to your friends, but think about the person you are talking about. Would you say what you are saying if he or she was there? Did the person say you could tell people? Think about how you would feel if someone was gossiping about you. If your friends are gossiping, nicely change the subject.


There are three groups involved in gossip: ourselves, those who listen, and the people we talk about. Make a commitment to stop gossiping, and then do it. Here is some medicine to cure the gossip disease: (1) Change the topic when your friends start gossiping. (2) Keep quiet so they don’t have people to talk to. (3) Tell them frankly to “speak not evil one of another” (James 4:11) it says and I quote:

James 4: 11

"Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge".


To avoid gossiping, we can memorize a scripture like Leviticus 19:18 that teaches us to love our neighbors as ourselves and recite it in our minds every time we’re about to start gossiping. It says on Leviticus 19:18 and I quote:

"Thou shalt not aavenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord".


Another idea is to say two good things about the person. In that way you’ll forget his or her shortcomings and instead notice the person’s goodness. Gossiping can be hard to overcome. But I think if you remember to love your neighbor, you might think twice before saying a regretful comment. We aren’t the ones to judge others. I think looking for good things in people can help, rather than watching for the negative.