Read:
Luke 6:45 “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”
Proverbs 26:22 “The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.”
Think:
In the Navy, commanders often warn their sailors, “Loose lips sink ships.” This meant that careless, flippant talk could give the enemy sensitive information, which may lead to their ship being sunk. Unguarded speech could provide useful intelligence to the enemy. Similarly, gossip is the opposite of the good news of the gospel. It is difficult to share the message of Jesus with someone while gossiping about them behind their back. Gossip stems from the heart. Jesus taught that the words we speak, whether good or bad, flow from the abundance of good or evil stored in our hearts. So we must examine our hearts and ask ourselves: What is springing from your heart? What motivates you to gossip about others? With every temptation we face, God provides a way out through his promises in the Bible.
Apply:
When tempted to speak negatively or repeat something that does not uplift another, ask Jesus to guide the conversation in a more constructive direction. Place good things inside, read Scripture, and pray!
Pray:
Heavenly Father, I give my words to you. Enable me to lift others up and be an encouragement. Help me stay focused on you and to be a blessing to others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.