Gossip Free...It's the way to be.

http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/423908.aspx

Follow the link to hear about a small church that started a challenge...a 8 day break from gossiping.

From speaking gossip or perhaps more difficult...to keep from listening to gossip from others.

I am blogging about it, because I believe in the south, we too often turn a blind eye to the SIN of gossip. I confess I have had a "wink at sin" attitude with gossip.

Sadly, the sin of Gossip has become as normal as talking about the weather in our communities.

How many times have you said in your head or even out loud, just before you sinned with gossip:
"I really shouldn't say this....but..." and go ahead with your gossip?

First, Gossip destroys-kills the person who sins by gossiping, we can't be in proper fellowship with God with Gossip in our lives.
Next the victim is harmed by our sin,
Finally, the church or organization, the group becomes damaged and without harmony.

The THINK - test...measuring device for our conversations.

True Helpful Inspiring Necessary Kind

Is it TRUE?

Is it HELPFUL?

Is it INSPIRING?

Is it NECESSARY?

Is it KIND?

If it doesn't pass the THINK test...DON'T say it.

I have a feeling I won't be speaking as much...but that is OK...I need to THINK more about my words.

Wow I know that is tough to think about every word we say, but that is what we are called to do as followers of Christ. We cannot live the lives Christ has called us to without taking care of the "sins which so easily entangle us."

There are many scriptures we could look at but two come to mind...
First- what we should focus our live upon,think and talk about found in Philippians 4.
Second Romans 1, where Paul descibes how the un-Godly act....gossip is right in the middle of the list of sins.

Philippians 4: 8 (NASB) Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

Romans 1:28-31 (NASB) And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice;
they are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; 32 and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.

God bless you,
Ken