What's the real problem with gossip folks? Christian folk are notorious for their gossiping ways aren't they? Even though I was taught not to be a gossip I as were my teachers are guilty of it! Gossip is bad. Its a waste of valuable time and not to mention intellect. Nothing good can come from it...right?
I really have been pondering it and come to the conclusion that not all gossip is bad. I actually think that all believers should be practicing it daily in our everyday lives. Okay really hear me out.
Lets go back to Jesus' time here on earth. Well before television, radio, and camera phones. Before you could google his name and find everything from his biographies to a T-shirt bearing his image. He was traveling performing miracles left and right. Many heard of this man claiming to be the son of God before he even arrived. Now without the modern communications that we are accustomed to how do you suppose spread got around...uh the grapevine? Good or bad his works were being talked about making skeptics or believers but mostly an eager listener.
So many believers spend most of their time in the world; work, shopping, even home by not filtering what we are watching and listening to. We need to learn how to use these vices for gods good. Beat the devil at his own game!
Don't run off the gossip, because a good gossip is an even better listener. Next time they wanna run and tell you about their weekend excursions tell them about yours. Tell then about the revival your church had the past three nights. About the lives that were saved last week in service. Tell them about how good gods been to THEM(the gossip) by getting them out of the mess they made after one too many drinks!
Now you'll have one of several outcomes: one they could just blow you off mid sentence and babble about why they even brought their mess to you in the first place. Which is a good thing because they'll think twice before they gossip round you again! Now secondly they can actually listen and take in some or all of what you have to say and revert back to the first reaction. Or maybe you can open the door for dialog with them. Which can ultimately bring them closer to god. Of course the last option is ideal. Sometimes folk can't see it for themselves how good god has been to them.
I really have been pondering it and come to the conclusion that not all gossip is bad. I actually think that all believers should be practicing it daily in our everyday lives. Okay really hear me out.
Lets go back to Jesus' time here on earth. Well before television, radio, and camera phones. Before you could google his name and find everything from his biographies to a T-shirt bearing his image. He was traveling performing miracles left and right. Many heard of this man claiming to be the son of God before he even arrived. Now without the modern communications that we are accustomed to how do you suppose spread got around...uh the grapevine? Good or bad his works were being talked about making skeptics or believers but mostly an eager listener.
So many believers spend most of their time in the world; work, shopping, even home by not filtering what we are watching and listening to. We need to learn how to use these vices for gods good. Beat the devil at his own game!
Don't run off the gossip, because a good gossip is an even better listener. Next time they wanna run and tell you about their weekend excursions tell them about yours. Tell then about the revival your church had the past three nights. About the lives that were saved last week in service. Tell them about how good gods been to THEM(the gossip) by getting them out of the mess they made after one too many drinks!
Now you'll have one of several outcomes: one they could just blow you off mid sentence and babble about why they even brought their mess to you in the first place. Which is a good thing because they'll think twice before they gossip round you again! Now secondly they can actually listen and take in some or all of what you have to say and revert back to the first reaction. Or maybe you can open the door for dialog with them. Which can ultimately bring them closer to god. Of course the last option is ideal. Sometimes folk can't see it for themselves how good god has been to them.
