4 UGLY TRUTHS GOSSIP REVEALS ABOUT US.

This edition is not mine but I felt i should share. Be Blessed.

The Lord was gracious to reveal to me how often I committed the sin of gossip and slander. In fact, it was so common that I did a Google search on “How do I know I’m gossiping?” It was hard for me to distinguish between what was just “telling a story” and what was gossip.
When I gossip or slander someone’s name, I keep sin alive that could otherwise possibly die.

Proverbs 26:20-22 (GNB) says, “Without wood, a fire goes out; without gossip, quarrelling stops.Charcoal keeps the embers glowing, wood keeps the fire burning, and troublemakers keep arguments alive. Gossip is so tasty! How we love to swallow it!”
Like in my example above, by using someone’s past sin to remind my best friend who I was talking about, I am making that sin live on through her. I am making it a part of her identity. And ultimately I am condemning her by nullifying the power of the Holy Spirit in her life who makes us a new creation when we are in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). My words prove that I believe Psalm 103:9-12 only applies to me – only my transgressions are removed as far as the east is from the west. However, every one else must be reminded of theirs and live them forever.
God has also revealed to me that gossip and slander are symptoms of a deeper issue within myself – an evil heart.
“Smooth lips with an evil heart are like glaze on an earthen vessel. A hateful person disguises himself with his speech and harbors deceit within. When he speaks graciously, don’t believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart. Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his evil will be revealed in the assembly.” (Proverbs 26:23-26; HCSB).
Gossip and slander reveal four truths about us:
1. They reveal our haughtiness. Haughtiness is the belief that you are better than someone else. When we resurrect others’ sins through gossip and slander, we are admitting that their sin is worse that our sin. So much worse that it can’t be forgiven or forgotten. Even something that’s not a sin, such as a comment like, “She doesn’t even cook dinner for her family anymore!” reveals a haughty spirit.
What we need to remember is that God hates haughty eyes (Proverbs 6:16). Haughtiness assumes that in our own self-righteousness we are obedient. However, apart from Jesus we can do nothing (John 15:5).
2. They reveal that we are trying to get ahead of someone at their expense. “’Do not spread slanderous gossip among your people. Do not try to get ahead at the cost of your neighbor's life, for I am the LORD’” (Leviticus 19:16; NLT). When we gossip and slander, we use someone else’s sin, misfortune, or their different choice, to remind ourselves of their seeming flaws to make us look better.
3. They reveal our insecurity. When we gossip and slander we are insecure in our choices and our identity in Christ. However, God has each of us on a distinct journey to accomplish His will. When we have a growing relationship with God – reading His word and talking to Him daily – we can be secure in our choices even when they are different from someone else’s.
Walking closely with God also reminds us how much we, too, are in need of a Savior. It’s impossible to be good or do good deeds apart from our Heavenly Father. This truth brings us rest. No longer do we have to try to achieve holiness in our own power, but we can rest in knowing that Jesus in us makes us holy. Our identity is in Jesus, not in ourselves or in how we look to other people.
4. They reveal our pride. Each of these – haughtiness, trying to get ahead, and insecurity – fall under the larger umbrella of pride. We are prideful in thinking we have to be better than others and that we can achieve any type of goodness apart from God. Any good within us comes from the grace of Jesus.
Now, when I’m tempted to gossip or slander, to tell that one juicy story that everyone will gasp over, I ask myself what are my true motives and what do they reveal about my heart. I want to join with God against sin; sharing in the grace He gives others and me. I do this by replacing gossip and slander with words that edify instead of destroy.

Have a Blessed week as you perfect yourself each new day!