You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord. ~ Leviticus 19:16 

Who has not, at some time in their life, gossiped? It seems innocent enough until the talk turns more sinister and we start to bad mouth other people. We start to slander other people and damage their reputation. GOD is very clear about His stance on gossip and slander. He expressly prohibits it in Leviticus 19:16  as well as in Ephesians 4:29, Exodus 23:1. and He even says in Psalm 10.15 “whoever slanders his neighbor secretly  I will destroy. Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure.” Suffice it to say, GOD will not tolerate it.

I used to feel (very wrongly) ambivalent about gossip. Until GOD taught me a lesson and I became the victim of malicious and false gossip. Then I realised first-hand exactly how hurtful it is. And its impossible to fight back because when you confront the gossipers, all of a sudden, no one knows what you’re talking about.

As difficult as it may be, do your best to refrain from gossip. Don’t do it. Instead, “as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.” (Luke 6:31) The fact is, is that gossip rarely tells the truth about the person, but the hurt it does to them (and the pain to yourself when GOD teaches you a lesson or two about it) is very real. So next time someone says to you….”Have you heard…??” before launching into a mouthful of rumors, don’t engage. Remember GOD’s words and walk away.

God bless you!