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The Root Of Gossip
What we have in our hearts is revealed through what we say. Our words paint a picture of what occupies our heart. A heart that is filled with bitterness, pride, anger, or unforgiveness will say and do things that reveal those feelings. If someone’s heart is filled with mercy, grace, and love that will also be revealed with their words. If our words are filled with gossip, so are our hearts.
So what is in our hearts that causes us to gossip? One of the reasons we gossip is that we gain something from it. It gives us the illusion of control, power and significance. We like the fact that people take notice of us when we have information they don’t. We like feeling good about ourselves when we hear that others aren’t perfect.
Another reason we gossip is because we have been hurt or frustrated. People hurt us. It doesn’t matter if it’s intentional or unintentional; we want to talk about it. There is no way around it. We choose to gossip because our hearts are full of selfishness, pride, hurt, jealousy, and bitterness. We are all fallen humans and all struggle with these things. The problem is that we let our struggles motivate us to action. When our jealousy, unforgiveness, or bitterness motivates us to gossip it turns a struggle into a sin that is multiplied. When you find yourself gossiping, take some time to search your heart.
What is driving you to gossip? Do you want to fit in? Do you need to feel powerful or justified? Do you have nothing else to say? Something in your heart is overflowing out of your mouth. Be willing to let God show you where the desire/need to gossip stems from. When we understand what is motivating us to gossip, we are able to hold our tongue in much more powerful way.
What we have in our hearts is revealed through what we say. Our words paint a picture of what occupies our heart. A heart that is filled with bitterness, pride, anger, or unforgiveness will say and do things that reveal those feelings. If someone’s heart is filled with mercy, grace, and love that will also be revealed with their words. If our words are filled with gossip, so are our hearts.
So what is in our hearts that causes us to gossip? One of the reasons we gossip is that we gain something from it. It gives us the illusion of control, power and significance. We like the fact that people take notice of us when we have information they don’t. We like feeling good about ourselves when we hear that others aren’t perfect.
Another reason we gossip is because we have been hurt or frustrated. People hurt us. It doesn’t matter if it’s intentional or unintentional; we want to talk about it. There is no way around it. We choose to gossip because our hearts are full of selfishness, pride, hurt, jealousy, and bitterness. We are all fallen humans and all struggle with these things. The problem is that we let our struggles motivate us to action. When our jealousy, unforgiveness, or bitterness motivates us to gossip it turns a struggle into a sin that is multiplied. When you find yourself gossiping, take some time to search your heart.
What is driving you to gossip? Do you want to fit in? Do you need to feel powerful or justified? Do you have nothing else to say? Something in your heart is overflowing out of your mouth. Be willing to let God show you where the desire/need to gossip stems from. When we understand what is motivating us to gossip, we are able to hold our tongue in much more powerful way.
Scripture
About this Plan
Gossip, you know it’s bad, but you know you want to. A story shared. A side comment. A roll of the eyes. All of the words we use have incredible power to build up or tear down. Words used for gossip are especially toxic. This plan helps clarify what gossip is, where it stems from, and how if we have nothing nice to say, we shouldn’t say anything at all.
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