2 Timothy 2

2 Timothy 2:16-17a  But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,  ¹⁷ and their talk will spread like gangrene.

I was sitting at one of my favorite places yesterday enjoying a coffee and reading a book to pass the time.  I couldn't help but over hear a couple of ladies talking.  They were talking about retirement funds and the challenge between using the money they had saved and making sure the money lasts until the end...a few different comments led me to believe they were in their early 70's.

Then all of a sudden, the topic changed.  "Oh my goodness, look who is coming this way - don't look!  We don't want her coming over here!!"  The conversation continued to speak ill of this other woman's character, habits, and even the outfit she was wearing.  One of the women even said, "I know I shouldn't be like this, but..." and she continued to tear down this other woman.

As I sat there trying to read my book, I just kept thinking, really?  At your age you haven't figured out how destructive gossip is?  And this poor woman – I was certain if she did notice these ladies and came over, they would be as pleasant as old friends towards her.

Scripture tells us gossip can infiltrate and destroy like nothing else.  Even listening to gossip is sin.  Listening to someone else's slander effects how we feel about the person.  Before we know it, we don't care for the person either and aren't really sure why.

We need to steer clear of gossip...speaking it and listening to it.  I'll even say, “Oh really?  I like her, I think she's really nice”...that typically quiets the person who is trying to draw me to their camp.  If you do find yourself gossiping, stop and repent immediately.  It's a bad habit many of us need to break.  We don't even realize we are doing it.

Ask God to open your eyes to all destructive habits you may have, including gossip, and ask for the strength to quit!

I'm praying for you!

Pastor Amy