[Faith-talk] FW: [URCTCPrayerGroup2] URCTC Prayer Group2 Devotional: To Gossip Or Not To Gossip by Cindy Beall

[Eric Calhoun]

I sent a devotional a couple of days ago, and I think us blind people, as a
whole, tend to be too much judging, and very little congratulating.  You
feel good when each of us gets congratulated; we feel bad when we get
bad-mouthed.

Eric


Original Message: 
From: "BeeJay" <beejayokla at cox.net>
To: <Undisclosed-Recipient:;>
Subject: [URCTCPrayerGroup2] URCTC Prayer Group2 Devotional: To Gossip Or
Not To Gossip by Cindy Beall
Date: 
Sun, 1 Nov 2009 01:45:42 -0500


      To Gossip Or Not To Gossip
      by Cindy Beall 
      Gossip.
      I imagine we've all done it at some point in our lives. 

      The word gossip as a noun means a person who habitually reveals
personal or sensational facts about others; a rumor or report of an
intimate nature. As a verb it means to relate gossip.

      Not the most positive of definitions, I'd say.

      And we can't forget what Paul says in Ephesians 4:29, "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."

      I can't tell you how many times I have revealed personal facts
about others all in the name of "praying for them". And sometimes?
Sometimes I just wanna share some juicy stuff about people, especially if I
don't really care for them.[Sharing what someone said in an e-mail in
confidence with another person is also gossiping] 

      So, how do we do this? Especially us women who tend to be far more
relational and sharing.
      I think it comes down to motive.

      My husband's and my story has been shared not only by our senior
pastor nearly eight years ago, but also by my husband in his messages and
by me on my blog. Since that time, many others have shared our story with
people they know. I even heard a girl say one time about us, "I feel like
I'm gossiping." And to her I replied, "Well, don't. We have this story on
the worldwide web so I think you're good." :)

      However, sharing personal information about someone who has placed
his or her confidence in you would be crossing the line. Disclosing
negative things about someone just for spite is highly inappropriate as
well. 

      So, what do you do when you want to share some personal and
intimate stuff about others for reasons of genuine prayer? 

      Ask the person. See if they are comfortable with you sharing the
information about them. Let them tell you what they want you to share.
You'll find that many are open books and don't care what you tell others.
Still others will be more private and ask that you share that "they need
prayer." If they don't want you to share their lives with others just say,
"I really am not at liberty to say anything out of respect for my friend."

      People might get offended and the situation may become a bit
awkward because of your honesty but really, that is their problem. Don't
make it yours.

      Whatever the situation, use your discretion and consider how you
would feel if the following information was shared about you. That sure
might make you adjust what you are about to say.

      Is gossip your struggle?
      What other suggestions might you share with others about overcoming
a desire to gossip?



            Cindy Beall is a Christ follower who uses her gift of
exhortation by writing and mentoring women. She uses her past experiences,
including the near death of her marriage, to encourage people that God
truly does redeem. For more information about Cindy, log onto
www.cindybeall.com

            *Cindy Beall is a 2009 StreamingFaith.com Guest Columnist. 

      © Cindy Beall all rights reserved.