Gossip Crusher – Wednesday
Week 3 | 500-Pound Words
Listen instead of reading
Take a Moment
Ask God what He wants to show you before reading today
Read The Daily
Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. (Ephesians 4:29)
Maybe, like you, I didn’t think I had a problem with gossip. When I thought about it, I imagined a bunch of other people sipping iced tea and spilling the juiciest rumors. You know, because it’s always the other people. I thought I couldn’t relate. Then I dug a little deeper to think about what gossip really is and why we do it. There are two primary factors that turn a conversation into a gossip session: when I’m trying to make myself look better at someone else’s expense, and when I’m sharing embarrassing information about someone without their knowledge or permission.
Sadly, just a few weeks ago, something happened and I was told about it. I’m not really good friends or know the person that well. However, during lunch that day with a group of friends, I found myself thinking, “should I share this?” Then I actually thought, “will this benefit the situation in any way by sharing?” The answer was an obvious “no” and yet I found myself still saying, “Did you hear about…”.
As we talked this past weekend at C3, if I’m going to choose to follow Jesus, then I’m choosing a life that’s oriented around others. This other-centered life also involves my words. I have thought more and more about why I still shared that information that day and have tried to think about my real motivation. I obviously knew it wasn’t helping the person. So why did I still share? I think I enjoyed everyone really being interested in what I had to say. In that moment, I chose a me-centered conversation that also didn’t benefit anyone including the person I was talking about.
Prayer for the Day
God what are you showing me? What am I going to do about it?
God help me to see one person that I can serve through a kind word, random act of kindness, or simple gift today?
Make sure you complete the reading or comment today.
Read The New Testament In A Year
4 x 6 Plan | Read: Matthew 22:15-33 & Ephesians 4:17-24