by Elizabeth George June 02, 2020
Even though I knew God spoke specifically to women about not gossiping (1 Timothy 3:11 and Titus 2:3), I did it anyway. The Holy Spirit led me to change my heart and empowered the purification process I still continue to go through. I want to be known as a woman who is a friend of women; a woman who is for other women rather than being against them. What did that entail? Sharing words that are full of grace (Colossians 4:6), kind (Proverbs 16:23-24; 31:26), pleasant, constructive, and instructive. It also means having speech edify and minister grace to our hearers (Ephesians 4:29).
Have you ever sat down with a group of friends to have joyful, encouraging fellowship only to have the momentum start swinging in the direction of gossip? I think we all have. If you are a young lady then I believe it is pretty safe to say that you have at least once in your life entertained the thought of joining in or have actually participated in gossip. Some of us have even been clever enough to mask it as prayer or concern, haven’t we? Hopefully we have all allowed the Holy Spirit to change our heart. So what do we do when we are around those who still gossip?
Five Ways to Avoid Gossip
We have all likely been the targets of such gossip and most likely we have all been sharers of these so called “juicy morsels.” What we need to remember is that no one is perfect and we can’t expect them to be. The only person we can attempt to change is ourselves. If you work to modify your own mindsets in this area, then you will not only have saved your soul from these negative words but you could very well be a shining example to your friends.
RESPOND
Dear Lord, please help me make it my goal that, in every encounter, others are better off for having been in my presence. May I always speak life over your children. Amen.
RENEWING RESOURCES
In A Young Woman’s Guide to Making Right Choices, Elizabeth takes teens through the step–by–step process of making decisions that are life–affirming, godly, and wise.
REFLECT
What do you do to avoid gossip? Are you still tempted to gossip? Pray today and confess gossip as a sin. Ask the Holy Spirit to empower the purification process in your heart.
REMEMBER
The only person we can attempt to change is ourselves. If you work to modify your own mindsets in this area, then you will not only have saved your soul from these negative words but you could very well be a shining example to your friends.
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Jim and Elizabeth George are bestselling authors and national speakers dedicated to helping people live a life after God’s own heart. Together, they have written over 150 books with more than 14 million copies sold around the world. For over 35 years, the teachings and steadfast example of Elizabeth and Jim have helped countless men and women:
Jim and Elizabeth George are bestselling authors and national speakers dedicated to helping people live a life after God’s own heart. Together, they have written over 150 books with more than 14 million copies sold around the world. For over 35 years, the teachings and steadfast example of Elizabeth and Jim have helped countless men and women:
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