Gossip's Seductive Grasp

"Gossip is pornography of the mouth.  As cheap thrill that offers zero commitment to the person being objectified."

Scott Sauls

What a wonderful truth stated about an ugly sin.  While more could be said, this is great start!

Gossip has killed more relationships and destroyed more ministries than any other sin.  At its heart, gossip tears at someone's person.  It seeks to promote the one spreading it without reference to the other's real thoughts, motives, or even actions.

Gossip works in and through all the deadly sins.  It illustrates pride, lust, envy, anger, covetousness, sloth, and gluttony.  

Yet, it is often tolerated and even encouraged in the world system and in the church.

This should not be!  We need to repent of this sin and confess that we have used it way too much for our self-gratification.  We have 

Given false report;

believed our opinions are right without consulting others;

spoken about people and situations without knowing the facts (or even caring that we don't know the facts.  After all, it is just our opinion with are expressing);

passed on stories and opinions of others without regard for the person being talked about;

felt good about informing others of our opinions and what we perceive as the sins of others;

willingly listened to others as they expressed their anger/concern/frustrations without asking and demanding that the person talk directly to the one or the issue they have a problem with.

I think I could go on and on.  I was just giving some basic examples.  What can you think of that you have done to promote and encourage gossip?  You see gossip isn't just something done in the tabloids, it is something that springs from our convoluted heart.

Could you picture Jesus talking about others as you talk about them?  

He had perfect discernment and understood the human heart.  Yet, did he gossip?  Did he share the perceived sins of others with others like you do?

Why do we even do what we do?  How do we stop?  Repent of your actual sins of gossip.  Ask the Holy Spirit to change you from the inside out.  Confess your helplessness to change yourself and ask for the Spirit to transform your heart.  He will begin the process of answering that prayer!