Acceptable Sin

(NLT)Proverbs 16:28
A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.

(NLT)Proverbs 17:4
Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip; liars pay close attention to slander.

(NLT)Proverbs 26:20-22
Fire goes out without wood, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops. [21] A quarrelsome person starts fights as easily as hot embers light charcoal or fire lights wood. [22] Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one's heart.

Helen, a dear old saint who has gone home to her Lord use to say, "My ears are not garbage cans." She didn't like gossip, didn't participate, didn't spread it and didn't listen to it.

What is gossip? It is information about someone, true or false that is used to belittle that person, hurt a relationship or make the gossip teller appear a better person.

A gossip is a troublemaker who plants seeds of strife and thereby separates friends and even family members.

One who listens to gossip is a wrong doer, perhaps a liar who listens intently to slander.

Rumors, gossip, dainty morsals of information sink deep into the heart. They are not easily forgotten. They generate doubt, fear, mistrust and thereby ruin relationships.

Today, refuse to tell or listen to gossip. (NLT)Proverbs 20:19
A gossip goes around telling secrets, so don't hang around with chatterers.
(NLT)Psalm 15:1, 3 Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? [3] Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends.

And say a prayer for those who have been damaged by this heinous sin that we too often wink at and count as acceptable.

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr.