Book of Wisdom 1 : 5, 6, 7

For the Holy Spirit of discipline flees deceit and withdraws from senseless counsels and is rebuked when unrighteousness occurs. For wisdom is a kindly spirit, yet she does not acquit blasphemous lips; ....For the spirit of the Lord fills the world, is all-embracing, and knows whatever is said.

Meditation

Gossip Girl, an American teenage television series, has been a hit since 2007 ! It is so popular that many other series have followed its idea, especially outside of the US. Today, more and more people are glued to their "screens" seeking the latest bit of "gossip" so as not to feel left out ! Gossip or as they say "going viral" travels around the world quicker than light ! Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Reality TV etc etc have helped make gossiping very fashionable as everyone wants to have the last word ! Hiding behind a screen makes gossiping a lot easier for everyone, even Christians!

If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless. ( James 1 : 26 )

Yes, believe it or not, Christians cans be the worst gossipers, with the defense mechanism of saying, "I only said it because I wanted to help that person!" Think again, are you sure about that ? How many times have you said, "look at how .... is dressed, ..... isn't in church today, look at how .... is praying,  ..... let's their children do ...."  and it can get much worse. The tongue is one of the strongest muscles in the body and the most difficult to control. Think of how many times you have deeply regretted what you have just said but you can't take it back. The psychological damage has already  been done and to make matters worse, it has a ripple effect and spreads as quick as cancer, destroying everyone on its path. 

Gossip is Satan's best tool ! When you gossip about another, you are doing the enemy's work to tear the community apart : family, friends, work, town, church and so on. Gossip can be in the form of slander, spreading "juicy info", rumors, back biting, mocking, innuendos or planting seeds. The Bible is filled with verses and passages warning us about the evils of the tongue. 

For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. ( Matthew 12 : 24 )  I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak. ( Matthew 12 : 36 )  

There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers. ( Proverbs 6 : 16 - 19 )

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ( Ephesians 4 : 29 )

Meet the Challenge

The Book of Wisdom warns us that the Holy Spirit flees deceit and runs away from gossip. If we are filled with the Holy Spirit, there is only room for praise of God and blessings for those around us.

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear and will trust in the Lord. ( Psalm 40 : 3)

As Christians we should do the following things to avoid falling into the trap :

• Mind our words - Is what I want to say helpful or hurtful?
• Ask ourselves the purpose of the conversation? - Is this gossip ?
• Redirect the conversation and say something positive. Warn your friends about gossip.
• Pray for the person - the best help you can give someone.

Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone” ( Colossians 4 : 6 )

Prayer is the best thing you can do to stop gossiping. With prayer you and those you cherish the most will be filled with many blessings. Here are just a few of them :

• Enjoy life more - negative talk makes you see only the bad side of life.
• Have the right answer - God will give you the answer to help someone, if you confide in Him.
• Have true friendships - friends will trust you more.
• Experience healing - your friends and yourself will experience God's healing power.
• Peace of mind - you will sleep like a baby, if you offer up everything to the Lord.

Let's Pray

We have all said something that we have regretted dearly but once said, it's difficult to take back. Let us ask our Blessed Mother Mary to intercede and teach each of us how to hold our tongue and "meditate upon what we hear in our heart." 

"O Mary, my Mother, I offer you my soul, my mind, and my heart.

Make of me God's instrument. Give me a penetrating mind to discover,

firm to judge, open to understand, free to serve the truth. An honest mind

in telling what it sees rather than what it wants to see; a tolerant mind which

does not dictate to other people, but which explains what is sees clearly;

A mind infused by the light and the truth of your Son Jesus, patient in faith,

while waiting for the vision of eternal life. Amen." (Mary's Pages)

Let's Praise Him