The Reason Listening to Gossip Is a Swallowing Hazard
The consuming nature of gossip
We Americans are a consumerist nation. We consume more than food and goods, we also consume gossip—lots of it—or should I say, it consumes us.
Think of how prevalent gossip is in some form or another in our American culture. It permeates social media like a global epidemic and feeds off half-truths, lies, misinterpretations, and opinions spawned by various media sources, including the internet and those incessant bots.
What amazes me is how easily people accept these tidbits of supposed news without reservation—especially when it fits a person’s personal perceptions and opinions.
For me, the saddest predicament is how rampant gossip is within churches. This should not be so and there’s no excuse for its existence or for any tolerance of it within a church.
As a pastor of a local church in a fairly small town, I saw gossip's prevalent and destructive nature. I’ve seen its poisonous power ruin too many lives. Lives of people I cared about.
I’ve seen gossip paraded out as prayer requests more than a few times. Sadly, more time was spent talking about a person and their situation than earnestly praying for them.
It reminds me of Alice in Wonderland who drinks a bottle labeled “Drink Me” and eats a cake marked “Eat Me.” The consequences of her drinking and eating were beyond her control.
This illustrates the tragic ripple effect of spreading and listening to gossip. Even when the truth is made known to dispel the gossip—the gossip lingers on.
When gossip is swallowed, it goes deep into a person’s innermost being.
Scripture
The words of a person’s mouth are like deep waters.
The fountain of wisdom is an overflowing stream.
The words of a gossip are swallowed greedily,
and they go down into a person’s innermost being. (Proverbs 18:4, 8 GW)
(Context—Proverbs 18:1-8 GW)
Simple insights
These verses have great picture words. The wise person is associated with grand images—deep waters, a fountain, and an overflowing stream. These are noble images.
When you see a beautiful mountain stream or a fountain—whether manmade or natural—it commands respect and a sense of fulfillment, even awe. These are the images given of a wise person with wise words.
What a stark contrast the wise person is to those who spread gossip! Not only the one who speaks gossip but those who listen to it. Wise people are more careful with their words. They use fewer words but say more when they speak than many of us do.
Wisdom and intelligence aren’t the same. A person can be quite intelligent yet lack wisdom. Their lack of discretion, which is often tied to their character, limits their understanding.
Wise people are also careful about the words they take in and accept. They don’t swallow everything they hear because they have discernment.
Even a foolish person who lacks discretion and discernment can seem wise when they keep their mouth shut (Prov 17:28). But alas, they still aren’t wise because of their character.
What can you or I do to prevent being a gossip or a receiver of gossip? Here’s some simple advice I saw recently—
If you’re talking negatively about someone, or if you’re listening to negative talk about someone, and the words aren’t helping solve the problem… you’re gossiping. (Joshua Rogers)
When we are with people who value wisdom, we’re more likely to become like them. When we hang around with those who cultivate and trade gossip—well, we’ll take on their nature and ways.
The choice is yours—every day and throughout each day—be careful what you listen to and swallow, so it doesn’t swallow you!
Reflection—
What do you want to be known for—wisdom or gossip? They have opposite origins and outcomes. This requires daily discernment and discretion if we don’t want to swallow everything we hear!
Prayer Focus—
Ask God for discernment when hearing or considering something passed on to you. Ask the Lord to develop a sense of godly discretion, a love of wisdom in your heart and mind, and the discipline and willingness to pursue these daily.
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