Gossip

Hey!
Have you heard?
Have you noticed?
Has anyone told you that . . . ?


Barely audible, the whisper of my classmate penetrated my eardrum and I was introduced to the inner circle of a privileged group. The cool kids finally found me worthy of their company. They began sharing with me all kinds of things -- books, food items, songs, and . . . privileged information about people.

Did you know that so and so's dad is sleeping around?
Did you see the dress that girl was wearing?
Did you hear what the teacher said to that boy about his history assignment?
Did you find out anything else about so and so's brother?

This sharing soon led me to experience the addicting nature of a powerful drug, namely gossip.

I tasted it.
I relished it.
I imbibed it.
I devoured it.

The more of it I consumed, the more stimulated and intensified my desire for it grew. My ear perked up as soon as I heard, "Lou, you'll never believe what I just heard at recess" or "Wait till I tell you about what happened to so and so."

Deep inside, I couldn't quite understand why I enjoyed listening to gossip so much. I had not yet learned Proverbs 26:22 which reads,

"The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;

they go down to a man's inmost parts."

I did not realize that gossip acts like an intelligent spider who is constantly on the lookout for a prey.
I was thus lured into and enticed by its intricate web. 
I did not realize that gossip is akin to an ocean that grows wild and turbulent the more it rains.
I was mercilessly and foolishly engulfed by its powerful waves.

Having completely forgotten that I often was gossip material for others, I delved into it by staying close to gossip providers. One afternoon, there were four of us playing games together -- a slightly older boy and two of my "friends." They began talking and the topic turned to a particular teacher at the primary school. Their comments were neither flattering nor respectful toward said teacher but, since I just sat there and listened, I felt that I had nothing to fear.

The next day, I was minding my own business in class when my name was called. The principal came and escorted me to the classroom of the teacher whose name was slandered by my "friends." That teacher administered corporal punishment to me and the other boy in front of her entire class -- It was so  humiliating for both of us!

Apparently, fearing that the older boy and I might tell on them, my two "friends" outsmarted us and put the blame on us first. It mattered not that I tried several times to rectify that point, the fact that I had spent so much time with those kids rendered my words unreliable. I was already known as a gossip by association. Oh, the shame of bad company!

"Bad company corrupts good character."

1 Corinthians 15:33, NIV

Deadly.
Dreadful.
Dangerous.
Despicable.
Destructive.

What a deplorable portrait! The tongue was never meant to be used as an agent of destruction; instead, it should be used to encourage others.

So, as a 10-year old, I learned the wisdom of being wary of "friends" who enjoy bad-mouthing others to me. I wish I could say that I have clearly and diligently avoided association with such persons. I wish I could say that I have completely refrained from participating in gossip. One thing remains true, however, I keep praying that God will keep me resolute and vibrant as I seek to say:

"I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin;

I will put a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence."

Psalm 39:1

Father, thank You for showing me the need to be stripped of the wiles and filthy rags of gossip. Help me to wear instead the garments of praise and encouragement wherever I go so that I may follow you in love, in spirit, and in truth. Amen!