GOSSIP: WHAT IS BAD ABOUT IT?
Do you gossip? Do you listen to gossip? Are you a constant victim of gossip? Worry no more. Just take to the following advice.
Many people who gossip don’t bother to check the facts. It was rumored that some were pregnant, that they’d had abortions. Using e-mail and instant messaging, a boy or agirl with malicious intent can tarnish your reputation without even speaking a word.
Do you know just listening to gossip; can make you partially accountable for it? By giving the gossiper the permission to go on, you allow the information to spread full speed ahead.
CONTROL YOUR TONGUE
How can you control your tongue when tempted to gossip? Using this illustration; think about the skills required to drive on a busy highway. Unexpectedly, a situation may arise that makes it necessary for you to change lanes, yield or come to a complete stop. If you are alert, you see what is ahead and react accordingly.
This is similar with conversation. You can usually tell when a discussion is veering into harmful gossip. When that happens, can you skillfully change lane?
“I really learned my lesson when the person I gossip about found out and confronted me. There was no way to sidestep the issue! I definitely learned that it’s better to be up front with someone than to be talking behind that person’s back,” relates Johnson.
Weigh your words before speaking. You need to be very careful of what you say. If you haven’t heard it from a very reliable source, you could be spreading lies. So when it comes to potential harmful gossip, be very careful and mind your own business. Remember harmful gossip is like a dangerous weapon that can destroy another’s reputation. More so it could bounce back.
WHAT IF YOU ARE THE VICTIM
If you are the victim of gossip, do not hurry yourself in your spirit to become offended. Put the matter in perspective. Why should you give your heart to all the words that people may speak? Surely your heart well knows even many times that YOU have called down evil upon others. Don’t overreact. Overreacting may cast a more negative light on you than the actual gossip. Let your good work speak for you. Have the maturity not to overreact.
My advice to everyone is this. If you hear gossip, respond by saying: “I don’t feel comfortable talking about this. After all, the victim is not here to defend herself.” If you are the victim, don’t overreact. This will help you preserve a good relationship with others and above all to maintain a good relationship with God.
