<h1>The Sin People Love To Hear But Hate To Talk About - Gossip</h1>

As a preacher, I have come to find there are several subjects that are extremely difficult to talk about. Typically, the level of which we struggle with a sin directly effects the level of receptivity we show toward instruction. There is a tendency to speak more boldly about subjects that others are facing than the ones we face. One such sin that we have the tendency to shy away from is gossip.  

Unfortunately most of us have been involved in gossip either as the spreader, the receiver or the subject. James tells us, “But no one can tame the tongue it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.” Therefore, he suggests that everyone has trouble with the ability to control what they say. Gossip has the potential to do a lot of damage. Proverbs 16:28 reminds us of this fact, "A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends." Paul includes gossip in lists of sin with potential to separate us from God and deserving of death in places like Romans 1 and 2 Corinthians 12.

The best definition I have heard of gossip is, "talking about a person who is not present that sheds them in a less than positive light, whether true or false." When engaging in conversation about a party not present we need to stop and ask ourselves several questions. 1) Is this conversation shedding them in a less than positive light? 2) Am I a part of the solution or furthering the problem? 3) Would I feel comfortable if the person unexpectedly walked in on the conversation?

Sometimes we think that we are only involved in gossip if we are spreading it. It takes both a sharer and a listener to produce gossip. We are equally guilty if we are listening to gossip. We need to take action when others are sharing gossip. Several approaches can help in stopping gossip. 1) Speak positively of others when they are being shed in negative light. 2) Let them know that you are not comfortable with the conversation and don't think we should be talking about this without the other present. 3) My personal favorite, is to ask them if you can quote them on this.

We have to take great responsibility with the things that we say and listen to. Let us all take the advice of Paul in Ephesians 4:29, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

Blessings,
Jeremy