Prattle and Tattle
Reading: Titus 3:1-8
“The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
they go down to the inmost parts” (Prov 18:8)
Gossip is very interesting to talk and to listen. They are tasty pudding. It goes deep inside us and makes it difficult for us to forget. We keep chewing it over and over and pass it on to the next one with open ears. We make decision again and again not to gossip or hear gossip but like a drunkard is drawn to the liquor shop we become eager to join a gossip group. Especially women are prone to this sin.
Not just Solomon and Paul, but the Lord’s mouth itself has instructed us: The Bible says rightly, “You shall not go up and down as a talebearer” (Lev 19:16). Some make it their business to slander their brothers and sisters wherever they go. Sometimes as a family when we sit and chat, the juicy information about someone’s sin comes up and each is obliged to contribute. First of all do not broach the subject. If someone does, do not contribute. Let the gossip die down.
It is a breach of confidence. Someone may trust us to keep an information and share some delicate matter with us. Our loose tongue spills it over to the next person. Whoever shared with you is deeply hurt when she knows what you have done (Prov 11:13). Counselors especially need to be extremely sensitive to this issue. When you cannot trust someone, naturally the friendship breaks (Prov 16:28). Then it leads to misunderstanding and quarrel (Prov 26:20). We should not take gossip lightly. It is a grievous sin (2 Cor 12:20).
If there is anything good about a person, let us speak or else we should refrain from speaking. If someone gossips about someone to us, we can say something nice that we know about that person. We can also not respond and thus show our disinterestedness. We can also change the topic, thus showing our disapproval. Or you can tell the person plainly that you don’t like to gossip. It will be a lesson for her. You may also get up and walk away.
“Whoever gossips to you will gossip about you,” says a Spanish proverb. That’s why the Bible admonishes us to avoid such people (Prov 20:19). Paul wanted Titus to remind people to “speak evil of no one” (Tit 3:2). So write a placard and keep it on your table to remind you constantly.
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, 8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
Prattle and Tattle
Reading: Titus 3:1-8
“The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
they go down to the inmost parts” (Prov 18:8)
Gossip is very interesting to talk and to listen. They are tasty pudding. It goes deep inside us and makes it difficult for us to forget. We keep chewing it over and over and pass it on to the next one with open ears. We make decision again and again not to gossip or hear gossip but like a drunkard is drawn to the liquor shop we become eager to join a gossip group. Especially women are prone to this sin.
Not just Solomon and Paul, but the Lord’s mouth itself has instructed us: The Bible says rightly, “You shall not go up and down as a talebearer” (Lev 19:16). Some make it their business to slander their brothers and sisters wherever they go. Sometimes as a family when we sit and chat, the juicy information about someone’s sin comes up and each is obliged to contribute. First of all do not broach the subject. If someone does, do not contribute. Let the gossip die down.
It is a breach of confidence. Someone may trust us to keep an information and share some delicate matter with us. Our loose tongue spills it over to the next person. Whoever shared with you is deeply hurt when she knows what you have done (Prov 11:13). Counselors especially need to be extremely sensitive to this issue. When you cannot trust someone, naturally the friendship breaks (Prov 16:28). Then it leads to misunderstanding and quarrel (Prov 26:20). We should not take gossip lightly. It is a grievous sin (2 Cor 12:20).
If there is anything good about a person, let us speak or else we should refrain from speaking. If someone gossips about someone to us, we can say something nice that we know about that person. We can also not respond and thus show our disinterestedness. We can also change the topic, thus showing our disapproval. Or you can tell the person plainly that you don’t like to gossip. It will be a lesson for her. You may also get up and walk away.
“Whoever gossips to you will gossip about you,” says a Spanish proverb. That’s why the Bible admonishes us to avoid such people (Prov 20:19). Paul wanted Titus to remind people to “speak evil of no one” (Tit 3:2). So write a placard and keep it on your table to remind you constantly.
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, Mob:8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
