[Note: I dare you to read the following article. Not that I know of any Christians who love talking up the next juicy story (wink-wink). And there is always another story coming down the pike. I've read this article several times. I think I was 15-years-old when I read it the first time. Here's the truth: Applying what I've learned in this article has helped me be a better follower of Jesus and a better friend to others. I bet you won't read this though. Right? I double-dog dare you.]
Just Listening?
by Melody Green
Many of us like to believe that "just listening" to gossip is not really as bad as spreading it. This is not so. God says, "An evildoer listens to wicked lips and a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue." (Proverbs 17:4) In I Samuel 24:9, David exhorts Saul, "Why do you listen to the words of men saying, 'Behold, David seeks to harm you '?" Well, why do we listen? Why are we so ready to believe the worst? The Bible says, "Love hopes all things." (I Cor. 13:7) Why don't we gently but firmly say, "I'm sorry, but you're telling me something I really don't think I should be listening to. You need to take this to the Lord, and those involved... not me." A few exhortations like that will stop most gossips in their tracks. At least it will stop them from coming to you with their treachery, and maybe give them something else to think about besides other people's business. The Bible warns us not to associate with gossips. "He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, therefore do not associate with a gossip." (Proverbs 20:19)
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