The Rector’s wonderings…I wonder if you’ve ever passed a quick judgement on someone without knowing the whole story?

We can sometimes unfairly judge others who we know very little about, based on gossip.

Proverbs is a book of wisdom in the Bible and says, “The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man’s inmost parts.” ( Proverbs 18:8). When we listen to gossip, it goes to our “inmost parts.” Gossip sinks its teeth into our hearts, souls, and minds and corrupts us like a fast spreading cancer.

Gossip is always trouble. Gossip obscures the truth. Gossip drives us from God. Gossip ruins reputations. Gossip destroys relationships. Gossip divides churches. Gossip is incredibly destructive.

Rather than tearing people down, we should build them up!

How do we do that? Well, one of the ways we do that is through encouragement.

Proverbs 12:25 says:

“Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down, but a good word cheers it up.”

Don’t weigh down someone’s heart by giving them something to be anxious about through your gossiping. Instead, cheer up someone’s heart by giving them a good word.

Challenge yourself this month in this one way:

Make a pledge to encourage rather than gossip.

Can you imagine how wonderful it would be if all the gossip in our community turned into encouragement?

Ask yourself these questions (attributed to Socrates):

Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind?

Let that be your guide. Here’s another tip: If in doubt, don’t say it.

Dear Lord, Set a guard over my mouth ; keep watch over the door of my lips. Help me to be an encourager by speaking a good word.” Amen ( Psalm 141:3)