Nothing will determine the quality and direction of our lives like our relationships.
As our relationships go, so goes our lives.
Very few things can ruin relationships faster than gossip. Here's a helpful definition ~ "gossip is passing on information about others when I am neither part of the problem, nor part of the solution."
FACT ~ Gossip destroys relationships.
FACT ~ God totally hates gossip.
FACT ~ Gossip is the Devil's playground.
Most people don't realize that the Devil's name refers to his favorite strategy for ruining our relationships. Whenever we slander, criticize or accuse others falsely...we're being duped into doing the Devil's job for him.
We all know that spreading gossip is wrong, but did you know it's just as wrong to listen to gossip? Listening to gossip is like accepting stolen property, it makes you just as guilty as the person who committed the crime.
In order to have a great life, we must work hard to maintain great relationships. So here are a few biblical ways to guard your relationships from gossip.
Six Steps To Stopping Slander - OR - Six Rules For Respecting My Relationships...
- I will not listen to, or give audience to, anyone who's sharing the shortcomings of others.
- I will dismiss negative reports about others and give them the benefit of the doubt.
- I will immediately redirect the gossiper to the person they talked about.
- I will not repeat what I heard to anyone other than the involved parties.
- I will protect the reputation and dignity of those in my relationships.
- I will make no exceptions to these rules.
Proverbs 26:20 says, "Where there is no fuel a fire goes out; where there is no gossip arguments come to an end."
I've never met a
person who worked hard at relationships and lived a lonely, regret-filled
life. But I have met lots of people who are living lonely, regret filled
lives. As your relationships go...so goes your life!
