Day Seven

Titus 3:1-2 ESV
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.

Paul wrote this letter to Titus in order to help him lead the believers in Crete. He wanted Titus and the believers to know how to live a healthy life both inside and outside of the church. Part of this involves harmony with one another. 

Refusing to gossip about each other in the world is one thing, but it can look like something else inside of the church. Have you ever been offered a piece of gossip thinly disguised as a prayer request? "You just HAVE to pray for so-and-so." And then comes the dirt.

Or maybe the gossip is spilled, only to be followed by, "....so, they could use some prayer." It can be hard when something like this comes up. Of course we will pray for a worthy request, but how to address the circumstance under which the request was made?

We all can use prayer. If you are using a prayer request as anything but to truly lift someone up before the Lord and to build them up in harmony with each other, check your motives. I know I need to, often.

This is it. Day Seven. I want you thank you for taking this pledge. I hope it has been as much of a blessing to you as it has been to me. Share this site with anyone you think might need some encouragement today. Let's all hold each other accountable to stop gossip.

Day Six

Proverbs 18:8 CEV
"There is nothing so delicious
     as the taste of gossip.
It melts in your mouth!"

What is it about the human animal that we find such delight in not only tearing down another human, but hearing about their destruction? Before we are saved, we lack a spiritual awareness and are quite literally half-dead, only living by the desires of our human bodies.

Have you ever heard someone describe gossip as "juicy?" Perhaps in the same way that Solomon wrote in these poetic proverbs, we can get a taste of gossip and crave more of it. It's a seductive drug that leaves us wanting more. It melts into our minds until it's our turn to pass it on.

If you think about it, there are not any other social creatures that carry on this way. There is something about we, as humans, that takes such enormous pleasure in hurting each other.

Make a commitment to change your taste buds today. Do not long anymore for the flavor of gossip. Will you join me?