As we focus on the theme of “One Family” this year, I am reminded of my church family as a child and some memorable lessons. A teacher taught us a valuable lesson on gossip by conducting a common exercise; he whispered something to the first person in the front row who in turn whispered it to their neighbor. This continued until the last person in the class was asked to recite the message, which was nothing like the initial statement.
The Bible has much to say about gossip and its negative impacts on others. “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment” (Matthew 12:36).
I am amazed when people tell me, an outsider, negative things about their church or its members. The person clearly lacks care and consideration for others as their spiritual family. It has been said that “blood is thicker than water” when referring to our earthly families, but for some, this seemingly does not extend to church family.
All Christians have experienced hurt due to being the object of gossip; however, we can likely admit to having been active participants at times. The latter should have been avoided if we had remembered the hurt from the former, which is the principle behind the Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12, Luke 6:31).
A few scriptures to keep us on track:
“…that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you” (I Thessalonians 4:11).
“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29).
“A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter” (Proverbs 11:13).
“He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends” (Proverbs 17:9).
The Lord’s church is a body, a spiritual family. May our love grow stronger daily for our brothers and sisters, bearing with one another and forgiving one another (Col. 3:13), and having words that build up and not tear down.