Question: How do I know that I am gossiping?
Answer: When you are talking about a person behind his back unnecessarily, and you shared his private details with others without his permission, then you are gossiping.
Question: How harmful is gossiping?
Answer: Besides bringing harm to friendship, gossiping also creates division within the church. It ruins the unity of the Body of Christ.
Question: Why is gossiping so destructive to the church?
Answer: Gossip kindles strife. Gossip distorts the truth.
Question: How can I prevent gossiping in my church?
Answer: Next time, when someone wants to talk to you about another person behind his back, you may ask the person the following five questions:
- What is your reason for telling me?
- Where did you get this information?
- Have you gone to those directly involved?
- Have you personally checked out the facts?
- Can I quote you if I check this out?
Question: What if he answers all these five questions, and what he told me is accurate and correct?
Answer: Then you may ask yourself the sixth question
6. Is it necessary for me to tell others?
Warning: God does not give us a tongue to bring harm to others and destruction to the church. He wants us to use it positively. He wants us to use it to bring out encouragement, blessing, comfort, and truth.
So, ask yourself:
1. Did I misuse my tongue to bring harm and destruction to others and to the church?
2. Have I been engaging in any gossiping and slandering before? If so, we need to repent and seek God for forgiveness.
3. Am I willing to let God to use my tongue positively, to bring out comfort, encouragement and blessing to others?
