“Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.”
Paul talks about gossip as coming from a deprived mind. Todays media has made it more socially acceptable to talk about others with little to no evidence that what is being said is true. With gossip it doesn’t matter if it’s true or not Paul, Solomon and Jesus had zero use for it. A recent article on gossip gave a plan for dealing with it as a Christian. A few points struck me as of particular value. One was that when we encounter it we should confront it and shut it down. That’s not pleasant or easy. Done poorly we can actually make it worse and inflame the fire. The second suggestion was to change the subject or better yet move the discussion to positive points about the individual. Simply say something good about them. Another suggestion I really appreciated and believe Solomon would as well is to pray for the person rather than gossip about them. It is difficult to talk poorly about someone when we are praying for them. That also gives God the opportunity to change our hearts. Solomon’s point in this verse reminds us that when gossip is not happening all parties tend to get along better or at least exist in peace. Quarrels go away. Today speak love and life and watch the power of God at work. #BeTheEdge
“to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.” Titus 3:2 NIV
