Who gossips with you will gossip against you

The Hebrew word translated “gossip” in the Old Testament is defined as “one who reveals secrets, one who goes about as a talebearer or scandal-monger.” A gossiper is a person who has privileged information about people and proceeds to reveal that information to those who have no business knowing it. Gossip is distinguished from sharing information by its intent. Gossipers have the goal of building themselves up by making others look bad and exalting themselves as some kind of repositories of knowledge. In the process of doing a little research for this posting I came across an interesting fact; almost every known religion has derogatory things to say about gossip and those who spread it. Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Taosim and on and on have numerous religious text that speak plainly about the wrong of bearing false witness against another. Gossip is a way of us judging others which really is not our job.

"Judge not, that ye be not judged". Matt 7:1

There is a fine line on what knowledge you choose to impart on another for good or for gossip. This line is really a matter of intent and only God can know the intent of a mans heart. If you hear that someone has a eating disorder or know it first hand you have a few choices. You could do nothing.

‘The only thing necessary for the triumph [of evil] is for good men to do nothing.’ - Edmund Burke. (yeah hes not in the bible but i've always loved this quote)

You can tell others for the sake of making this person look bad and by comparison you yourself look better.

“Do not go about spreading slander among your people. Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the Lord.” Lev 19:16

Or you can impart this knowledge to someone who may be able to help and give council. Personally I believe that through prayer God will give you the discernment to know who to impart knowledge of this type that can bring someone into the situation to help begin the healing process. If you saw someone with a gun to their head most of us would not just sit and watch them shoot themselves or someone else without trying to intervene. In the same way if you knew someone was suicidal would you not try and find someone qualified to help them out. Again the act of gossip is in the intent and that is between you and God, however I know even in my own life I need to look at times I speak and really evaluate why it is I'm saying what I'm saying.

These are extreme examples but they make a point. When the situation is not life and death and you hear rumor of the "he said, she said" style....Go To The Source. Gossip is meant to alter the perception of a person or their character to the one you are sharing the gossip with. If you go to someone and say I heard this about you and would like to hear the truth from you, you stop the fire from spreading. I welcome feedback from others on this topic it is something coming up frequently for me and always consider the input of others. My personal accountability in this area will certainly be spoken of this week on here, as I ask to be called to the mat.

Work to the betterment of "Not Yourself"

So I'm noticing something in the workplace that I see in lives of Christians more often then I should. For some reason people in the workplace are so worried about making their way the right way that they lose sight of the good of the company. Our purpose at work should be to use our skills and ability's for the betterment of the company. As the company does better then we will prosper with them. I know that I am not always right or that someone else may have a better idea then I do. I guess I am not so ingrained in my ways yet that I only see one possible outcome for any given event. Everyday I encounter resistance at work to anything that might actually make things run smoother or that is to the benefit of all because "That is just not how things are done". People are so worried about holding on to the little bit of real estate that they have, that they fail to see the bigger picture. Granted I understand that this happens less in the public sector then it does in the government but it still happens.

I find that the same thing happens in reference to the heavenly kingdom as well. We develop a ministry from the ground up, start a new church, create our own small group, or put together a missions trip and then things don't quite work out the way we had them planned. The defining purpose of our acts should be for the betterment of God's kingdom. When God sees fit that we move on to something else or what we have started is not benefiting his kingdom as much as something else might, we should not fight to hold on to it. As people and Christians we need to learn that our actions should be for the furthering of Gods kingdom in whatever way we can. It may not be the way that we would like, but it is not about us, that is the sin of Pride creeping into our lives. I see people everyday that have are so proud of their work that they refuse to adapt or see that in some cases there may be a better way to further the collective goals of the company. They have to be willing to compromise. Some days we must realize that God has a better way to further his goals then the path we are currently on and we must be willing to change course with him.

It is not an easy thing letting go of works we have started or founded, that we believe are righteous and worthy. However, if we are truly seeking God, what are our works but tools to further his kingdom. When he calls us to lay down that tool and move to till another field we should not question our Creator just simply obey. You may find that as you constantly strive to work towards the betterment of Gods kingdom you, yourself become a better person. Funny how God works that way.

"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls". 1 Peter 1:6-9 NIV