Mission Hills Church
Sticks and stones may break our bones...but words can kill our souls. That’s why James calls the tongue a restless evil, full of deadly poison. In an increasingly digital world, our words have more power now than perhaps ever before. Join us for a timely study of God’s wisdom for dealing with four kinds of toxic talk that are a dangerous trap for all of us.
James 3:5-8 NIV
We're going to learn to recognize and remove it from our lives.
Proverbs 16:28 NIV
Gossip is twisted talk that creates division.
Gossip destroys trust.
Proverbs 20:19 NIV
Gossip is making public what should have been kept private.
The Informer (Rakil).
Key Question: is it my place to share this info?
The Backroom Whisperer (Ragan).
Key Question: would I be comfortable being identified as the source of this info?
The Blabber Mouth (Pathah).
Proverbs 20:19 NIV
Proverbs 10:19 - "When words are many, sin don’t stop, but the wise man shuts his mouth." (CT)
Proverbs 17:28 NIV
Key Question: Does this need to be said or do I just need something to say?
Gossip destroys trust and builds a wall out of the rubble.
Proverbs 18:8 NIV
Romans 1:29-30 NIV
2 Corinthians 12:20 NIV
We’re going to tell the toxic talk of gossip to S.C.R.A.M.
Slow down.
· Is it my place to share this information?
· Would I be comfortable being identified as the source of this information?
· Does this need to be said or do I just need something to say?
Check our motives.
Remember who we represent.
Avoid tempting situations.
Make it a team effort.
1. What practices can I put into place to slow my speech?
2. What motivates me to gossip?
3. How can I remind myself of who I represent?
4. When am I most tempted to engage in gossip?
5. Who can I ask to help me cooperate with the work of the Holy Spirit in my life on this issue?