The Christian Life: Don’t Get Caught in The Gossip Trap
By: Denise N. Fyffe
Romans 1:28-30 28
Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents;
The Incident
Matt was walking to his car one morning, Sara saw him and came out also with her baby boy, hoping to catch a ride to the terminus at the community center.
They greeted each other and Matt offered to take Sarah’s bag.
Once they got to the car, Matt’s wife joined them also, and off they went. Sara took no time to begin discussing an incident that occurred in their compound the week before, where Matt was involved in an argument with the other male tenant.
Her comments caused Matt to relive the incident and become upset again.
These were the same comments they had regurgitated from the following week as well, soon after the incident. Matt began to raise his voice in annoyance.
Sara, as she did before, began to discuss her neighbor in a derogatory manner, leading Matt to do the same. Having had enough of listening to them discuss the neighbor, Matt’s wife asked them to stop, for several reasons.
- The discussion was wrong and sinful.
- The discussion upset her husband.
- The neighbor was not there to defend himself.
- Matt’s wife was also becoming upset with Sara, for causing her husband to gossip, especially when Matt was not entirely in the right.
- Sara was leading Matt into a trap.
Here we see how Sara led Matt into a gossip trap.
Gossiping is Wrong
“Gossip is a way of talking about someone (s) behind his/her back that creates or portrays a negative image about the one (s) being talked about. The Bible clearly condemns and points out the dangers and damages involved a in gossiping (In support of this, you can check Proverbs 20:19.”
Proverbs 20:19
A gossip betrays confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.
We need to be careful, especially as Christians of the type of conversation we engage in; especially those that belittle or demean other people. What we do not like for ourselves, we should not do unto others.
Sometimes, this may mean avoiding others who do so.
Don’t get caught in the gossip trap.
Matt should have tactfully or respectfully avoided the conversation. Matt’s wife warned Matt to avoid Sara and pointed out that the same manner in which she discussed his neighbor was exactly how she would discuss him.
Next time, Matt ought to conduct himself in a more godly fashion.
Remember, we are ambassadors of Christ, and we are the example here on earth of who Jesus Christ is and of Christian principles. Sara is an unbeliever and of another faith entirely. Matt missed his chance to demonstrate an important guiding principle for all Christians.
What Should You Do in Such a Situation?
First, try to tactfully change the direction of the conversation. Offer up another topic for discussion. Possibly compliment the person’s appearance or some other characteristics.
If this does not work, respectfully, inform the person that you do not wish to discuss the other party as they are not present to defend themself and the conversation is not a constructive or complimentary one.
Finally, if the gossip refuses to change their behavior, avoid them. In this case, Matt should turn back and wait for his wife and delay his departure. In so doing, he would avoid having to be in such situations, which is unbecoming for a Christian.
Read These Bible Verses about Gossip
Proverbs 16:28
A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.
Proverbs 26:20
Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down. 2 Corinthians 12:20 For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.
2 Corinthians 12:20
For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.
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About the writer: Denise N. Fyffe is a published author of over 50 fiction and non-fiction books. She started Revealing the Christian Life Ministry to help other Christians and provide support. She is also a trainer and mentors aspiring writers towards achieving their goals.
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