How do you feel about gossip? It hurts, doesn’t it? And even if it isn’t about you it can be uncomfortable or make you see other people in a different light. When you hear gossip it pulls you into the sin, you become a participant in the spread of lies, embellishments or secrets.

I’ve seen gossip bring companies down faster than the FDA and FTC combined. It tears up marriages and families, destroys reputation and can obliterate your income. I guess that dispels the whole “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never harm me” spiel!

Gossip. according to Proverbs, “Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down. As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife. The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts. Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart.” (Proverbs 26:20-23)

Look, the enemy hates you with a passion. And the only power he has over your life is the power you give to him! He tries to be sneaky, using words and lies to fuel his hate. It is all a plan to destroy you… don’t fall for it!

One of the ways the enemy tries to trick you is disguising gossip when you are consoling someone. “Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit. Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts. Their malice may be concealed by deception, but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.” (Proverbs 26:24-26)

If you are committing gossip you are doing so from a heart that is not clean, and that is sin. And, if you are receiving gossip, your heart is no longer clean either. Gossip does not build trust, get you promoted or increase your value in the marketplace.

It has to stop, but you have to make the conscious effort to make it stop. When it comes, start by saying, “Hold on a second… I love you and I don’t want to hurt you. It sounds like you need to talk to ____.” More often than not, the gossiper needs to confront an issue with who they are gossiping about!

But you don’t have to include yourself in their problems. You don’t have to take part in a destructive cycle that hurts, destroys and ruins lives. It will never bring you happiness, grant you spiritual success or get you closer to your dreams. ( that quote now!) Therefore, it’s not a productive use of your time.

Would you rather be someone who is building trust, keeping your heart clean and attaining spiritual success? Or do you want to waste your time sowing bad seeds that will never bear any worthwhile fruit?

Leave me your comments on the issue below and be sure to “Like” today’s message. Join us later to continue the discussion on your spiritual health. There are two chances to tune into today’s Spiritual Equipping message, this afternoon at 12 pm ET/11 am CT and again at 7 pm ET/6 pm CT.

In great faith,

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