"The only time people dislike gossip is when you gossip about them." - Will Rogers
Gossip may seem fun, but it's spiritual poison. The truth is, we don't know half of the stories we tell anyways. Gossip is always rooted in judgementalism. Maybe we have facts, but it's the backstory that we're missing, and we usually like to keep it that way. We don't much care for truth, we just care for the juicy story that we can tell. There's that twisted, sinful nature in us all that likes to know that other people are messed up. There's that area in our hearts that wants to weigh our lives on the scale against others. The problem is, we are never truely honest about the fact of the matter The truth is: "We all have come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). It is God who judges the heart, not man. And if you don't already understand the danger of the words that come from our mouths, read and digest the words of Jesus Christ found in Matthew 12:36:
"But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken."
God looks deeper. God sees within. God knows the motives that cause our actions. That same God, though he sees to the very depth of our souls, loves us just the same (1 John 3:20).
That "weird" person you judged was neglected and shuffled around foster homes and is crying out to feel noticed. He never had a stable place to call home or a mom and dad to show him that he was worth loving. So what do you think about his black nail polish and strange haircut now?
That skantily clad girl who has a "reputation" and that you whispered about as she walked by, she has never felt secure because an adult she trusted molested her as a child. How do you view her now?
That over weight person, they eat to self medicate. Her mom had mental illness and she grew up being called fat. She always struggled with their weight and always got tormented at home and at school. She used to fake being sick so she could miss school. She'd rather have stayed at home to hear it from one person, than from the masses. Through the years, she put on more and more weight until she finally gave up hope.
God looks at the heart. If we want to view others in a Godly manner, we have to learn to look beyond the surface. Gossip never lets us get there, because it distracts us with superficial appearences.
Lately I've been feeling insecure about life in general. Like most people who are feeling insecure, I looked for something to provide confirmation and comfort, and it wasn't in the arms of my loving Savior. I started to allow my spirit to be filled with critical thoughts, which translated to critical words. Finding flaws was briefly entertaining and mildly successful at diverting my attention from the real issue at hand: God was peeling back another layer and going a little deeper, to reveal to me yet another area that He was ready to improve and perfect in me. After a few weeks or so of this, I realized my negativity had spread from one area or my life into all areas. I surrendered the hurt and regret that had been hiding in me like a cancer, and God took over. I am being refined, but unfortunately during my period of hyper-negativity, I offended a few people. Apparently, without even realizing it, I said and did some things that caused them hurt. Here is where I am connecting the dots to complete the picture for you--- these people who I hurt with my words and actions, have now turned the table on me. For the last few weeks, it would seem that they are trying to repay me for my actions. I publicly apolagized, but to no avail. I will admit, I was starting to feel drained and even a little sorry for myself. As I prayed about it, The Holy Spirit revealed to me Romans 8:28 and Philippians 1:6
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
"being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6
Since Christ reigns Lord of my life, I must accept that He always has my best interests in mind. He has orchestrated my life and worked these season together to make me more like Him. If God had answered my prayer to take away the situation I have been going through, He would not have been able to use it to perfect me. I ma learning more and more how God truely does work all things together for His good. I am now humbly able to walk closer with God and see things from a much different vantage point. I once was that "gossip", so I won't judge the gossiper. I once was the person who spewed out negative comment after negative comment, so I won't judge the curmudgeon. Name the sin---they all lead Christ to the cross. I have sinned, so I should not stand in judgment of others. I don't know everybody's story, but one thing I can be sure of is that whatever their story may be, it is my job to raditate the love of Christ to them. I want to challenge Christians to read Matthew 7:1-3 and ask God to help the Church show more love. Let's see people as God sees them, and treat them with grace, just as God has with us.
