Gossip: The Identity Killer
Sisters in the faith it is so easy to get caught up in gossip. We are all guilty of it, we are even guilty of feeling justified while doing it. Counting those words of death as the truth of that individual is dangerous. If you find yourself in a gossip trap, stop and ask yourself, am I part of a solution in this person’s life? Is this really my business?
I took a course at a community college a few years ago, and I befriended a young lady. I would often minister to her as she would share her life with me. One week, she had missed several days of class and I wondered about her. One of the other girls asked me if I knew where she was and I said no, cause I didn’t know, however a girl spoke up and said “ I know where she is, she is with my brother” and she rolled her eyes and immediately the group of girls (about 5 in all) began to gossip about her, airing out all her dirty laundry. I stopped the conversation and I said “I am leaving this conversation, she is my friend and I am not comfortable with y’all gossiping about her” I got up and walked away and another girl followed me out and she said “Wow, I have never seen someone do that.” She and I left and we went to lunch and I gained a new friend.
What I didn’t do was side with the things they were saying about her. I knew her story and her life. She had shared some sacred things with me. It was her story to tell, not mine. I created a boundary with those women that day, they knew that I am not comfortable with the act of gossip. It’s easy to get the green light to talk about people, even amongst fellow believers. I have been guilty of being in a conversation where I think we're “praying” “venting” or “problem solving” and I didn’t realize I was gossiping until after I left the conversation and I felt dirty. Nothing will get me to my knees like feeling dirty in my spirit. I have learned to pull away from relationships where gossip seems to be the center of conversation.
'“Nothing will get me to my knees like feeling dirty in my spirit”
Gossip is negative and highlights the worst characteristics of a person. Chances are the person you are talking about is in bondage, broken hearted or dealing with trauma. Partnering with life and not death will be better for you and the individual. The goal is to set the captives free, not keep them bound. When you engage in gossip you partner with the identity Satan has given them. You partner with every accusation against them.
YOU ARE NOT THE ACCUSER OF THE BRETHREN !
They don’t need an extra person talking about them in their sin. They need someone to partner with Jesus to make intercession for them. You can keep yourself from falling into sin by refraining from the act of gossip. Setting clear boundaries around others. Confessing immediately if you fall into a gossip trap, a reflection of your heart is a sure way to help you walk in holiness.