The Deadly Church Disease: Gossip! Part 1

Hi guys! I trust we learnt a lot form the forgiveness series. (I sure did).

 Today, I’d like to talk about a disease that is probably on the verge of destroying the church if we don’t address it- GOSSIP!!!

Many persons are of the opinion that there are two types of gossip. Harmful and non-harmful (let’s be true to ourselves guys, gossip is more often than not, harmful).

Well, let’s see what Webster’s dictionary calls it- 

“Rumour or talk of a personal or sensational nature; someone who habitually spreads sensational or intimate facts”.

With the above, we see that gossips are quite sensitive because they are about people and the things they do (and let’s not forget they’re usually based on groundless rumour. P.S those that gossip are the hardest to please).

Why do we refer to gossip as a “church disease”?

Gossip is one tool from the pit of hell that has gradually crept into the church and caused strife and as such, division in the body of Christ- taking its attention away from the true essence of ‘church’- Love and undiluted fellowship with God.

Why do we gossip? (yes, we! I sometimes have the urge to just say something to someone too. Don’t you?)

Here are some reasons we gossip or at least have the urge to (culled from Metropolitan tabernacle):

1.       To find favours with friends and not feel left out

2.       To cover our own dirt and shed light others'

3.       Envy, Jealousy, Pride, Hatred e.t.c

4.       To shake off the hurt of being reproved

5.       Sometimes, we just wanna talk, and we end up spitting out guile. (Lord, have mercy!!!) and...

Well, this is how far we can go today. Tomorrow, we’ll continue with reasons we gossip, share some scriptures about gossip and if time permits, we’ll give practical help tools to consistently overcome the urge to gossip. In the meantime, you could read and meditate on these scriptures: proverbs 10:18, 19, 23, Psalm 34:13.

From me to you: …Be true to yourself. Know where you stand in Christ. Tell Him how you feel, and how much you need Him to change you. Let’s pray for the body of Christ too. I do… #DelonixCares