Ms. Gossip

The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;they go down to a man’s inmost parts.

Proverbs 18:8 (NIV)

Listen to what Matthew Henry had to say about gossips: “They pretend to be very much affected with the misfortunes of such and such, and to be in pain for them, and pretend that it is with the greatest grief and reluctance imaginable that they speak of them. They look as if they themselves were wounded by it, whereas really they rejoice in iniquity, are proud of the story, and tell it with pride and pleasure. Thus their words seem; but they go down as poison into the innermost parts of the belly.”

How interesting. Matthew Henry lived three hundred years ago, and yet as I read his comments, he seems to describe the very same woman I know—the one who loves to share her juicy stories of other people’s troubles. She has such a sympathetic look, you would almost think she cared, but in reality she only cares that she has the inside scoop. If you have been a victim of this Ms. Gossip, don’t you wish you could tell her how much this hurts?

I need to use my final words to talk to those who have been hurt by gossip. Don’t let the gossiper’s poison become your poison. I need to admit to you that two years ago, I did. I have been angry at someone who wounded me with her gossip words. Now I am the one who is wrong. So if that’s you, too, will you join me? I confess that bitterness is just as wrong. “Lord, please forgive us. Forgive the ones who wounded us and forgive us for being mad at them.”

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

Have you been the victim of someone’s unkind words? I have the perfect story for you. According to 2 Kings 18, Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, sent a hateful message to King Hezekiah, the king of Israel. He made sure all the people heard it. In chapter 19 we read that King Hezekiah did a remarkable thing. He didn’t threaten or cower or defend himself. He simply took the letter to the temple, spread it out before the Lord, and prayed for God to see and hear. He basically said, “Lord, you read it.” God did see and hear, and he did act.

One Year Bible Reading

2 Kings 18:13–19:37; Acts 21:1-17; Psalm 149:1-9; Proverbs 18:8