Psalm 101:5a
Whoever slanders a neighbor in secret I will reduce to silence.
Pastor Jim Cymbala of Brooklyn Tabernacle has an interesting way of handling gossip in his church. He said:
About 20 years ago, I said something impromptu to the new members lined up across the front of the church. As we received them, the Holy Spirit prompted me to add, "And now, I charge you that if you ever hear another member speak an unkind word of criticism or slander against anyone — myself, an usher, a choir member, or anyone else—that you stop that person in mid-sentence and say, 'Excuse me — who hurt you? Who ignored you? Who slighted you? Was it Pastor Cymbala? Let's go to his office right now. He'll apologize to you, and then we'll pray together so God can restore peace to this body. But we won't let you talk critically about people who aren't present to defend themselves.'
His impromptu speech really sums up why we gossip and what it does to the body of Christ. We do it because we are hurt and doing it hurts the body. It's interesting how our heads can understand this but we still give into the temptation. So here's a challenge for us all - next time we are tempted, count to 10, but instead of numbers, say "Jesus." I bet you, and the body of Christ will be feeling at peace sooner than you think.
