Read The Gossip Cycle\He Say, She Says:
Grace: (Phone ringing from a distance) Hello! Hi Lydia? It’s been a while…
Lydia: Yes, it has; I hope you have been well considering….
Grace: Considering what?
Lydia: What I heard from Judy!! My oh my! It would help if you told me you are getting a divorce.
Grace: Me? Divorce? No, I am not!
Lydia: Well, that is what Judy told me yesterday when I met her at the salon.
Grace: I am not getting a divorce; if anything, Judy is the one who told me her husband was cheating on with the waitress from the local restaurant.
Lydia: What? I always knew their marriage was too perfect to be true. It is a shame even with her hot body, the husband is still cheating.
Grace: Can you imagine? I am happy I never signed up for her useless gym membership.
Lydia: Well, be careful with her; she is soiling your name. Let us catch up later over a cup of coffee.
Grace: OK. See you soon!
(Immediately after)
Judy: Hello?
Grace: Is it true that your husband’s mistress works at our local restaurant?
Judy: What?
Grace: What do you mean what? Lydia says that.
Judy: That ….! How could she? She knows who I am in this town.
Grace: Calm down; make sure you don’t mention my name. Bye!
(Hangs up quickly)
And it goes on and on, a never-ending story.
The gossip cycle could go on and on with the main culprit starting the fire standing so far from it, admiring the flames. Lydia is a clear definition of a true gossiper; they create trouble, invite others into it, then when things go haywire, they get themselves out of the drama and watch those involved fight each other almost to death. Death? Yes, end of friendship and trust that eventually leads to a divided community; Proverbs 16:28 “A perverse person stirs up gossip, gossip, separates close friend.” Over what? Just a wrong or even right word uttered out of context or without wisdom.
Jesus and his works were also victims of gossip. Many people, including His disciples, would question who he was and whisper. Being omnipotent, Jesus knew that the questions being passed around. He did not touch on it being a gossip. He took it upon himself to clear the air, asked them the same questions they have been whispering about, triggered a discussion, and clearing the rumors. So if you ever find yourself being gossiped about, know that our Lord Jesus, too, went through it.
In Ephesians 4:29, we are instructed,” Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what helps build others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” This simply means that since what you may be saying would be true or has an ounce of truth, it is best to keep it inside and not talk about it if it is not building or informative. The book of wisdom, Proverbs 11:9 says, goes on to say,” With their mouths, the godless destroy their neighbors, but through knowledge the righteous escape.”
In James 1:26, it is written that it would be pure deception to self and worthless if those who consider themselves religious cannot keep their tongues controlled. Like a horse is guided with the reigns, so should those who believe themselves “religious” can hold their tongues. Furthermore, James 4:11 further insists, “Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.”
How do you then deal with a gossiper? One thing you could do is tell them straight to the face that you are not interested in talks that discuss others. This could work if you are bold enough to face them. When applying this tactic, you need to be ready to face rejection or vulgar response. They could also act cold altogether, so be prepared.
Alternatively, you could ignore them until they read the non-verbal communication and stop. Adamant gossipers have learned to ignore this cue, so you need to be consistent with the non-verbal. My favorite way of getting away from gossip is excusing myself. Another way of dealing with gossipers is to sit them down and let them know the implication of their actions. I also try to put them in the shoes of the person they are gossiping about to feel their pain and stop altogether. At times, they have not analyzed the damage of their words, and when I put them in the victim’s shoes, they get sorry, and some vow to change their behavior.
You have the power to choose. Remember if you entertain a gossiper, “those who gossip with you will gossip about you.’
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The example gossip cycle is classic. As human being not only gossip but our ability to retell the story is never accurate, that goes for the witness statement as well as our brain do not have that 100% memory but do do remember some context of the situation but not in detail.
Anyway, Lydia sure is a true gossip girl that likes to stir things up unnecessarily. What I usually is just to ignore them. When I confront them then they get offended. You are right, we have to power to choose if we want to engage in it or not. The gossip is not that accurate anyway.
I love your point about our ability to retell a story, our tone, the little things we may decide to add or subtract could change the story completely. Thank you Nuttanee
Thanks for the educative lesson on gossip! Based on the word of the Lord, Jesus went through lots of gossips, but He overcame. Many times people asked Him questions to find fault with Him and report His case to the elders. The etiquette of religion doesn’t support gossiping against others as we are brothers and sisters in the same vineyard of the Lord. Any so-called religious person caught doing this isn’t a good example for others to follow. Thanks.
Joyce
True we are our brother’s keepers
Gossip, for whatever reason, seems almost impossible to resist. Even those Christians who know that Jesus spoke against it often can’t resist. You have made Jesus’ (and Gods’) commandments on this clear and I hope many people see this. I hope they can then control the words that come out of their mouths.
Sitting down a gossip to talk to them, as you suggest, may be helpful but I find it more effective to just not engage. A gossip craves the attention that his/her “information” gives him/her. If they don’t get that, they will not continue. If pressed to respond, I simply make a vague statement such as “I don’t know anything about that” and simply continue what I was doing.
What works for one person may not work for another. We just need to be mindful and avoid gossiping. As you mentioned gossip can be hard/impossible to resist.
Thank you for this Biblical approach to the topic of gossiping. We think it’s a harmless thing. But it can kindle a real fire. I have been more careful of what I say and of what I listen to. As you have described it, it’s a cycle and you can quickly get sucked in. We should avoid it.
My pleasure, thanks for your comments
Yes, there is certainly no shortage of gossips in the world. Nor is there any shortage of trouble makers and stirrers. however, round thisway, most people dont care too much about God r Jesus. Round these parts, stirrers who get caught get dealt with a swift kicking to teach them a lesson or two.
Gossip is ugly and we all should try our best not to get caught in it.