tea burns

When I was younger I LOVED gossip.

I never would have said that. I don’t think I would have even admitted it to myself. But hearing about other people’s lives and drama was fascinating to me.

I would be lying to say that there isn’t still the temptation of the rush to hear the latest gossip. I think it may always be a beast for us as humans.

But in my mid-20s I have come to recognize just how damaging gossip is.

It doesn’t matter if the other person knows you said it or what you said. You did. God did.

Gossip is confirming to ourselves that the way we are speaking about another is an allowable way to view an image-bearer of God.

Gossip is affirming to ourselves that we are more righteous than others.

Gossip is indicating to ourselves that it is appropriate to add shame to others.

Our choices to gossip are not victimless crimes. So much damage can come from our words.

There is a reason the book of James spends so much time talking about the tongue. Our greatest weapon against others is our tongue. The words we say have so much more power than we recognize. Not only that, but it is always easier to destroy than to build. Think of this from a mathematical perspective. If you start with 10, a 50% increase reaches 15. However, once you are at that 15, a 50% decrease brings you closer to 7. Our words may not be a mathematic equation, but it is important to remember that tearing others down is always easier than building them back up.

The words that come out of your mouth are a reflection of what is in your heart. You want to change how you talk? Change how you think. You want to change how you think? Spend time with God.

The more of God’s word and love we put in, the more that starts to come out. You are responsible for your words. You also can’t change them without being changed yourself.

How are you using your words?