Gossip

This is an article from our new author for the blog, Savannah Brenyo. Her internet isn't working right now, so I'm posting it for her. As soon as she can she will post an introduction for herself. Here's her post:


"Gossip hurts. It hurts you, it hurts others, and it grieves our Lord. When we talk to one another our conversations must be edifying; Philippians 4:8 says, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable if there is any excellence, anything worthy of praise, think about these things." Our words reflect what we think about. 
   When someone in your circle of friends starts to gossip you need to tell them to stop, and if they don't, you need to leave. Never approve or allow gossip in your hearing. Romans 1:29-32 says, "They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know Gods decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them." "They are gossips" is put in with "full of murder" and "haters of God." It's a really big deal. We can't become complacent. We can't be okay when someone starts to say things about someone else that is unprofitable. Giving approval of someone else doing it is just as bad as doing it yourself. Gossip happens before you know it and I have found myself hurt and hurting because of it. We have to guard our words, we have to guard our mouths, and we have to guard our hearts. I have hurt friends of mine and it grieves me to a point of tears. I never want to do it again and I pray that God would help me to watch what I say. 
    No person is perfect, but as Christian teens, we need to be striving after being like the One who is. We are Christ's, and because we are His we must crush the sin in our lives. In all areas. Gossip breaks the bond of unity between brethren in the church. That is horrible. We are the Bride of Christ! We should never ever break the bonds of unity to spread just one "juicy tidbit." What can you do to spur your friends away from gossip? Stand tall for Jesus. It may mean, in fact it probably will mean, standing alone. But with Him at our side, "though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear, though war arise against me, yet I will be confident." (Psalm 27:3) Standing up to gossip is conquering sin. Let us use our words to heal and to help, not to hurt."