"Gossip"

Don’t know where they heard it,

But the message was not right,

It’s not at all what happened,

And caused a painful slight.

So when I traced the sequence,

Passed so many times,

It caused me soon to wonder,

If there were boundary lines,

That people still respected,

And refused to cross,

Or if loyalty is over,

And faithfulness is lost.

Some said it was a prayer request,

When they heard what was wrong,

But if folks had been praying,

Rumors would not be strong.

People think they know things,

But they seldom do,

Quick to talk about it,

And show how cruel, it’s true.

Bad news travels quickly,

It’s twice around the world,

Before the truth gets down the street,

Or its banner gets unfurled.

So think before you say it,

And spread it like it’s true,

Next time all that gossip,

Might just be about you.

“Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement…” (Eph. 29, NLT)

One does not have to look far to see the damage gossip can do. And in this time of social media, gossip travels faster than ever. What if we pulled the plug on it, once and for all? What if we decided that we would obey what this verse, and others like it, says for us to do. Let our words encourage. Think what an impact that kind of positivity could have. I think it could be totally contagious as well. People might just feel relieved when they don’t get caught up in the latest defaming of something or someone. It would take some effort, don’t you think? That’s because we are governed by habits, and the habit of speaking negatively about others runs deep with most of us. But once we reversed it and began to speak only words of encouragement, I think people might be attracted to this new, old way of relating to one another. Of course since the Lord creates the expectation He will also supply the power to do it. Why not ask His help on this right now?

Lord, help us stop gossiping and begin speaking words of encouragement right now, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Tim Cox, timcox.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Tim, and God bless you.