There are several essentials, “musts” in Christian leadership.  If I could end one issue, if I could address one annoyance once and for all, if I could end the presence of one thing, if I could remove from human existence one thing then I would eliminate gossip.  It is that incessant misuse of conversation that does nothing good but only produces harm.  Those who do it always justify themeselves or excuse the hurt that they cause but they are wrong.  They will never admit their error nor even see the ugliness of their sin. 

Here is a poem that I stumbled across.  It speaks directly to the problems that so many of us see but the few words spoken by the careless are blinded to its truth.  Instead, the gossips around us claim that they “care” that they are “hurt” that they were “just saying”.  Some even claim that the Spirit of God validated their suspicions and therefore have duty to tell.  This is a sin that all of would just as soon obliterate from human existence but we know that as long as humans talk, this is an inevitable malady.

 

MY NAME IS GOSSIP

I have no respect for justice.

I maim without killing. I break hearts and ruin lives.

I am cunning, malicious and gather strength with age.

The more I am quoted, the more I am believed.

I flourish at every level of society.

My victims are helpless.

They cannot protect themselves against me because I have no name and no face.

To track me down is impossible. The harder you try, the more elusive I become.

I am nobody’s friend.

Once I tarnish a reputation, it is never that same.

I topple governments and wreck marriages.

I ruin careers and cause sleepless nights, heartaches and indigestion.

I spawn suspicion and generate grief.

I make headlines and headaches.

Remember, before you repeat a story, ask yourself:

Is it true? Is it fair? Is it necessary??

If not, do not repeat it,

KEEP QUIET!

Do you have people in your life that smile and talk to you nicely to your face but you keep getting reports that they are gossiping about you behind your back?  They deny it when confronted.  But, their tongues continue to wag and spew out their brand of “care” their expressions of “love”. 

Keep on.  Trust God.  He knows all and especially knows who you really are.

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