“WAYS TO AVOID GOSSIP AND SLANDER”
(Jarrod M. Jacobs)

Gossip and slander are a two-way street! You have to have someone willing to talk and someone willing to listen for them to be successful. Gossip and slander are perpetuated because folks give those with “loose lips” their “listening ears.” One who would please God should have nothing to do with such sins. If we are going to avoid gossip and slander ...

Have A Heart Of Humility.          

The humble of heart, the one who thinks less of himself than others (Rom. 12:3), puts God first, others second, and himself last. Thus, he will not speak slanderously against God’s creation (Jas. 3:9)! The Bible records the lives of many men and women who are great examples of humility. Therefore, let us follow the examples of such worthies as Christ, Moses, Daniel, Timothy, and others, who humbly served God and guarded their tongues against speaking gossip. When humility is absent, gossip and slander soon follow. The proud person often belittles or “digs up dirt” on others to make himself look better. 

Avoid Hatred Of Others.           

David said those who hated him were those who gossiped about him (Ps. 41:7). Yes, hatred is a strong motivator for gossip and slander. We need to remember the words of Christ, who told us to love our enemies and pray for them (Matt. 5:44). Have we been doing this? It is too easy to allow emotions to cloud sound judgment. Don’t do that! 

Keep The Words We Speak To A Minimum!           

How often have people gotten into trouble for “engaging their mouth before their brain was in gear”? Let us not be hasty to speak. Instead, let us heed the words of Solomon, who said, “Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.... Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin...” (Ecc. 5:2, 6). How wise were the words of Solomon that remind us to keep our words to a minimum (Prov. 10:19)! May we live the words of David, who said, “Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips” (Ps. 141:3). 

Reserve Our Ears For Listening To The Truth.           

Gossip and slander are useless when folks refuse to listen! Let us not give any ground for that. Our minds need to be filled with that which is lovely, pure, truthful, virtuous, praise-worthy, etc. (Phil. 4:8). The sins of gossip and slander are the opposite of that. Let us avoid them!           

Remember, if we listen to those who gossip and slander, God will not find us guiltless! We must not waste time listening to this garbage! Just imagine how gossip and slander would be severely diminished if the “listeners” stopped listening! 

Conclusion           

Gossip and slander are insidious problems we face. Therefore, let us avoid these sins with all we have! As James says, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (Jas. 1:19). If we are going to please God in word as well as in deed (Col. 3:17), gossip, and slander must never cross our lips! Let us put into practice the rules we have learned so that we will be the kind of people God would have us to be - pure in thought, word, and deed! Be warned: “He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool” (Prov. 10:18).