How To Stop The Gossip Monger – Even In Yourself

“Have you heard about Tony?” she whispered in my ear.

“Nooo…” I felt my stomach drop. I hadn’t heard about Tony and I didn’t want to hear what ever my friend prepared to share. But how could I stop it? What could I say without sounding like a jerk?

“Is this public knowledge?” I asked.

“Well no. She asked me not to tell anyone.”

“Oh, well then I don’t need to know. If Tony wants me to know, she’ll share it with me.” I turned and walked into the sanctuary to find my seat.

*How often are we able to shut down the gossip? I’d be willing to bet that it isn’t as often as you’d like. Being equipped to stop it before it gets going is an important skill to learn. I’m right there with you trying to figure it out and I’ll be honest, I need to learn to shut my own mouth as well.

I started digging into a new book that has really armed me with biblically solid examples, both in deflecting the start of gossip and convictions to shut my mouth so I’m not the gossip monger – and as soon as I decided to really focus on this, I failed miserably.

Stopping Words That Hurt by Dr. Michael Sedler is having a huge impact on my thinking – I am still a work in progress.

Plain and simple, gossip is wrong. We know that. We want to stop it but how?

Simple Sentences To Stop Gossip:

• “Is this something so-and-so would want you to share with me?”
• “Did Sally give you permission to share this with me?”
• “Would you like to pray for so-and-so? Let’s let God handle this situation.”
• “Oh there’s Sally, let’s call her over before we start talking about her.”

Do you struggle with gossip? It takes place whether you are the speaker or listener. Will you take a stand and learn to stop it before it starts? What other ways could you stop gossip in it’s tracks? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Proverbs 17:4

Linking Up with Missional Women for Faith Filled Fridays. Check it out!

Blessings,

 

PS – I am writing this and sharing because I need accountability. I’m as guilty as the next with opening my mouth and letting negative talk come out and I HATE it.

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