TEA TIME WITH TINA Get A Grip on the Gossip
BY TINA GALLO
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’m sure we’ve all heard the saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me!” As children, we may have believed that. But we all know that isn’t true, right? Words are very powerful. They can bring great joy or deeply wound, causing severe pain and misery. Proverbs 18:21 (ESV) says it like this, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits." The tongue has the power of life and death? I’d say that’s pretty serious. The stakes are high. Our words CAN either speak life or death. Our tongues can build others up, or they can tear others down. Just like an unchecked fire doubles in size every minute, gossip and false teaching are no different. It’s been said that great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, and small minds discuss people. Let’s be real and honest. As women who emotionally connect and relate to each other, it’s easy to get sucked into the vortex of gossip! Whether we’ve been gossiped about and been on the receiving end of angry vices, or whether we’ve been enticed and tempted to speak an ill word about someone else, we’ve all been there. We know the truth - sticks and stones can break our bones, AND words can hurt our hearts. So what do we do when our ears are itching? Stand firm in your resolve, harnessing God’s power only to speak what is good and true. This may involve choosing your friends wisely so that gossip does not become a standard in your life. You may have to separate yourself from a gossip-filled conversation, refusing to partake so that you do not inadvertently damage someone’s reputation. And when offended, let God fight your battle! The Bible tells us that "A perverse man stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends." (Proverbs 16:28, NIV) And "The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent." (Exodus 14:14, NIV)
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