Gossip-Free Zone

Did anyone read yesterdays (November 10th) 'Our Daily Bread'? Jason read it this morning after our breakfast. It really was a joy to read. On my heart lately (and, actually, for quite a long time) has been the importance of not gossiping and so when I read and/or hear anything that teaches on it, I am all ears. I won't type out all that it says. I'll give the highlights...starting with the passage: Proverbs 25:8-18. verse 18 says, 'A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow.' The article says that in some offices you can get fired for gossiping. Seem unreal? I think not! Jason went to Dave Ramsey's financial Coach training and Dave Ramsey has that rule. You gossip, you fired. WOW!!! I truly wonder what would happen if ALL Christians quit gossiping. It also said that in a 2002 survey, the average employee gossips 65 hours a year! WHAT A WAIST OF TIME. Goes on to say that gossip is breaking a command because it does NOT show love to others! I LOVE this last paragraph because it is so true! Read on: 'Gossip feeds into our natural desires to feel superior to others and to fit in, so combating it in our personal lives can be a challenge. But if we choose to love through prayer, our lives can be a gossip-free zone.' -Anne Cetas

It is such a challenge to me. I truly don't want to be talking of others poorly. I truly want to pray instead of gossip. The prayer given at the end will be mine as well,'Lord, forgive us for speaking carelessly about others to make ourselves look better. Help us to think before we speak. Teach us to be loving with our words. Amen.'

The one thing that comes to my mind ALL the time when there is gossip: 'If they talk about others to you, they talk about you to others.' I don't want to be one where, when others leave after visiting with me, they are wondering what I'll say about them. YIKES. Ohhh...to be like Christ.