Ouch! The Bible's lessons on gossip hit close to home. I can honestly say that this is a battle that I'm getting over. I still have a weak spot for talking behind people's backs, though. Maybe I should shut up right now and get to the good stuff.
Gossip ain't all I'm talking about. Cussin' and downtalking others to their face counts, too.
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I'm gonna give you some general scriptures about talk.
Proverbs 10:19 When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.
Hmm. It seems to me that when we gab on-and-on, we will eventually sin with our words. Maybe we get bored and try to spice up the conversation with some juicy tidbit about someone's death or affair or bad habits or bad parenting ..... so on and so forth. I know I am quite guilty of the above.
Proverbs 11:9,12 With his mouth the godless destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous escape. --- A man who lacks judgement derides (talks badly about) his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue.
Our words can destroy. That's obvious everyday. But here's something new to me. I lack judgement when I talk badly of someone. You lack judgement when you talk badly about someone. We DO have wisdom when we just shut up about people.
Proverbs 26:20 Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.
Gossiping is like flaming the fire. We fuel the fires of hatred and separation when we gossip.
I also look at it like this: We keep poisoning our OWN minds when we gossip about others, and this tends to block our ability to forgive...to cure situations with our associates/friends/family.In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says in Mattthew 5:21- "You've heard it was said by your ancestors, 'Never murder. Whoever murders will answer for it in court.
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Okay, so you know that gossip is bad. I happen to believe that when you find out that you are sinning in your life, you should change. Change involves throwing out the bad, which you already know how to identify, but also you must FILL YOUR LIFE WITH GOOD. The following are scriptures which tell us HOW TO TALK.
Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Only talk about what is useful for encouraging people according to THEIR needs. Make your speech something that helps OTHERS. When you talk to people, encourage them the way they want to be encouraged. ---speak highly of them (don't flatter, though), tell them you love them, tell them the hope you've found in Jesus, etc.--- Swallow your pride and be kind and gentle.
Ephesians 5:4-6 Nor should there be obsenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather THANKSGIVING. For this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person ---such a man is an idolater--- has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with EMPTY WORDS, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient.
Instead of talking like sailors, we should talk about how good God is to us. Talk about how GoOOoD we got it BECAUSE OF GOD. We have food, clothes, home, health, friends, life, etc. We also shouldn't use empty words ... keep yer' promises. Don't promise something only to be nice, back it up with actions. | anywho, i got off subject | Tell people how much God has given you and praise Him and not the tax break or the promotion or whatever.
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God
That's pretty dense. Let's get to cutting.
One-st (1st), We gotta have Jesus' teachings in us through and through. I'd recommend a Beth Moore bible study from a Christian bookstore if you need help with "decoding" Jesus' teachings.
2nd, Teach and talk well of each other with wisdom (remember that wisdom stuff up top?)
3rd, Sing about the Lord and what He's done for you.
