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Gossip

April 29, 2014 By Jean Wise

healthyspirituality.org

Gossip needn’t be false to be evil — there’s a lot of truth that shouldn’t be passed around.

~Frank A. Clark

This quote hit me hard this week. See I learned a lesson about gossiping – one you would think I would know by now.

I saw a friend I used to work with before we both retired. We were sharing friendly updates about each other when I trip down the gossip grotto.

“Did you hear _______ stepped down from her position but is still working there in a new position?”

My friend hasn’t heard that news and we both wondered what happened.

Last week I ran into my friend again. She said she ran into ______ who was shocked to hear that rumor and said it wasn’t true. Mmm, my conscious alarm went off as I realized I passed on a false tale. Just being friendly is no excuse for talking about someone. There was no purpose in sharing that info. Yep, I gossiped!

Gossip has been defined as repeating something you have not right to repeat.  I am guilty and I am not proud of it either. Hanging my head in shame to be honest.

The Bible tell us:

For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.

2 Corinthians 12:20

Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble,

Proverbs 21: 23

But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness. 2 Timothy 2: 16 

My mama would quote Thumper the Rabbit in the Bambi movie:

If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothin’ at all!

Yep, I gossiped and didn’t feel good about it. I knew better yet the words still came out.

Lesson learned. Gossiping is not something I want to do or be known for. I’ve asked God for forgiveness and his strength to keep my mouth shut. This experience woke me up again to be more aware of what I say. Gossiping left a bad taste in my mouth.

One final thought about gossiping:

Conversation is an exercise of the mind; gossip is merely an exercise of the tongue.

Unknown 

Have you ever been caught up in gossip? What lesson did you learn?

 

 

 

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Comments

  1. Denise Rork says

    May 4, 2014 at 7:29 am

    Hi Jean; visiting from Days & Thoughts…
    Oh yes; working with an office full of women tempts me way too often! I pray about this often and yet still seem to get caught up in it occasionally. Love your quotes, and plan to keep them close at hand! 🙂
    Blessings for a joyful Sunday!
    Denise

    • blankJean Wise says

      May 5, 2014 at 6:37 am

      So glad you came over too Denise. I felt so bad getting caught up in gossiping but thankful for a forgiving Lord and a good lesson in remembering this is something I don’t want to do.

  2. blankJen Ferguson says

    May 1, 2014 at 9:17 am

    I love the same quote Theresa mentioned! I tend to get this twisting feeling in my stomach when gossip is happening. And I hate when I ignore it.

    • blankJean Wise says

      May 5, 2014 at 6:35 am

      It is a good quote isn’t it Jen. The lesson in gossiping is still wheeling in my heart. But God is good and teaching me and forgiving me. Thanks for stopping by Jen

  3. blankTheresa @ Heavenly Glimpses says

    April 30, 2014 at 8:03 am

    I love this thought, “conversation is an exercise of the mind; gossip is an exercise of the tongue.” Great thoughts! Thank you.

    • blankJean Wise says

      May 5, 2014 at 6:34 am

      IT is a good quote to remember isn’t it, Theresa. Thanks for stopping by.

  4. blankClella says

    April 29, 2014 at 10:52 am

    Oh Jean. and now you are truly hitting me! I, too, have done this same thing. thank you for reminding me again. Clella

    • blankJean Wise says

      May 5, 2014 at 6:33 am

      Hi Clella, you know I was gone last week so am just now reading comments but really appreciate you leaving one and adding to the discussion about gossiping. this was a moment I certainly wasn’t very proud about but learned from. Have a wonderful week.

  5. blankIreneWachsler says

    April 29, 2014 at 8:40 am

    Judaism defines gossip as “loshon hora” and our Sages / Rabbis teach that gossip is equivalent to murder.

    There is a very famous Chassidic tale. One day, a man gossiped / spread rumors about the town Rabbi. Realizing that he was wrong, the man approached the Rabbi to ask him for his forgiveness. The Rabbi said that he would be forgiven provided that he follow the Rabbi’s instructions. The Rabbi told him to take a feather pillow, go to the top of the hill and spill out the feathers. The man did exactly as he was told. When he came back and told the Rabbi that he did this, the Rabbi then told him to go back to the hill and collect all the feathers. The man said that was impossible because the wind had blown the feathers all over the place. The Rabbi said that was what happens when you commit “loshon hora” or gossip.

    • blankJean Wise says

      May 5, 2014 at 6:32 am

      Irene what a great story. I love that you shared it. I was on retreat last week and one of the speakers – one of the best I ever have heard – was a female rabbi. I felt like I sat at the feet of a teacher all week. Thanks for adding to my thoughts and lessons about gossiping

  6. blankJViola79 says

    April 29, 2014 at 7:51 am

    Loved the quote from Frank A.Clark. You certainly give food for thought today!

    • blankJean Wise says

      May 5, 2014 at 6:31 am

      I am still learning lesson from my gossiping mishap. and trying to listen more and speak less. Hard lesson to learn.

Healthy Spirituality – a sacred space to nurture your faith, grow closer to God, and belong to a community, walking together on life’s journey. This blog is written by author, speaker and retreat leader Jean Wise

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