Did you hear what Steve did?

Did you hear what Steve did? He did this with that person and that person is dating a different person. Can you believe that He would even talk with her after he did what he did. Let's text this around and tell everyone what he did...




Has that ever happened to you? For most of us, it has. Whether true or not, people have talked about us or we have been talked about them. With technology you can ruin someone literally seconds. Back in the day it took a day or two to get the word out there. In our youth group Sunday morning we talked about gossip and the immediate and long term effects of it. We also talked about what we can do to stop it.

Webster Dictionary defines gossip as: a person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts about others2 a: rumor or report of an intimate nature b: a chatty talk c: the subject matter of gossip

Why do people do that? Envy, revenge, hate, jealousy, greed, etc. Basically it is for selfish reasons. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul gives us a better way to respond to gossip:

• Ephesians 4:29 (NIV) 29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

We have a choice when gossip comes our way or when tempted to gossip. Maybe we need to examine our heart.

• Luke 6:45The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

My challange to myself, and you, is to take the opportunity to build people up instead of gossiping. If you have an issue with someone, go to them instead of everyone else.

In His Service,

Steve