Tag Archives: gossip

When SHARING isn’t necessarily CARING

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#FiveMinuteFriday and the word prompt is SHARE. Today’s is a tough subject and I am preaching to ME! You all are welcome to listen in…

This isn’t just about gossip, although gossip is a huge problem.

This isn’t just about talking about our friends, family, co-workers, etc., but that is wrong too. We all are guilty.

I’m not just touching on the subject of “Oh, let me tell you about ‘Jim and Judy’ so you can ‘pray’ for them…”, when the time spent telling the prayer request could have been spent actually praying. Ouch.

I have been convicted over the time I have spent talking about needs or faults, and that time gets carried away and turns into counseling sessions where I think I can solve the other person’s problems…and they aren’t even there to benefit from my newly discovered knowledge.

The Lord reminded me of several things on the subject: “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” 1 Corinthians 10:12 NKJV. Meaning it could very easily be ME that needs the help the next time. It could be ME that my friends are talking about next. Take heed! Be careful who you are talking about this week…or as the saying goes that we see so much of lately…

“Don’t judge others just because they sin differently than you…”

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And this gem:

“Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:5,6 NKJV.

Your gentleness. That seems Christ-like.  WWJD?

He would show mercy. He wouldn’t run and tell others. He would go straight to the one with the NEED. The one who had the problem. He would offer a helping hand.

What can we DO for them instead of talk about them? We can pray, make our requests known to God. Show them kindness, gentleness, love and extend mercy.

And if appropriate and necessary, go a step further:

  • Do they need assistance?
  • Do they need physical substance?
  • If the need is obvious, fill it!
  • If you aren’t sure, listen and let God tell you what to do.

The more I pray for the needs, and even sins, of my family, friends, co-workers and brothers and sisters in Christ, the less time I will have to pry and gossip.

I think HE will be more pleased with ME.

Be blessed.

Kingdom2

Nip it in the bud!

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If you are a fan of the iconic Andy Griffith show you have heard the infamous one-bullet-Barney Fife bellow out this phrase, “Nip it in the bud!” One of my favorite episodes is when he goes into detail about it. Take a look…

To nip something in the bud means to stop it before it gets worse or becomes bigger than it is or before it spreads, etc. It’s a horticultural process where growers pinch or snip off new buds on plants and trees to stop them from growing in certain areas and to make the plant flourish in others.

Many times it is to force the plant to put its energies to more productive uses. The bonsai tree is a good example of this as is the herb, basil. You would never have to buy basil at the store again if you continually nip off the flowering buds, replant and repeat. If you let the basil flower, it will lose its taste. This interesting phrase actually dates back to the 1600’s!

Nip it in the bud

As silly as it may sound, the concept can apply to so many areas of our lives. Let’s look at a few!

  • Gossip. What if we nipped it in the bud and didn’t let it even take up residence? Or, when someone decides to share, we stop them before they get started? It would save us the burden of hearing possible lies or distortions about someone else and it would keep us from being tempted to share it again. “A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.” Proverbs 16:28. Nip it!
  • Negativity. Continually allowing negative thoughts in our minds and hearts will weigh us down like few other things. “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord…” Ephesians 5:19. What if we turned those negative thoughts around, told the devil to take a hike and spoke words of life to others and to ourselves? Nip it!
  • Griping. This is one you don’t see in a list very often but most of us are guilty. “Hi, my name is Nannette and I gripe too much.” Every little thing that bugs you? Gripe, nag, find fault and let the person who is upsetting you know it right then and there. Nagging is annoying but so many of us are guilty. We might not even realize we are doing it or understand the negative effect it has on those around us who must listen and take the blows. But it builds up over time until we wear the label permanently. “But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.” James 3:8-10. Nip it!

The Bible instructs us clearly in how we should behave at all times, even how we should think! “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8 ESV.

When these undesirable attitudes try to enter our hearts and minds we must stop them before they begin. Just as we would with our children by not letting them get away with certain attitudes or actions, we must allow the Holy Spirit to speak to us and correct us as well. Jesus left us His Word and His spirit as guides and He WILL chastise us in love to make us more like Him if we are willing.

For the Kingdom

Sharing with Modest Mondays, Testimony Tuesday, Counting our Blessings, Tell me a true story, Wedded Wednesday, Wholehearted Wednesday

Praying or Prying?

3 Replies

#31dbc! Another beautiful fall day! Today is a tough subject and I am preaching to ME! You all are welcome to listen in…

This isn’t just about gossip, although gossip is a huge problem.

This isn’t just about talking behind our brother or sister’s back, but that is wrong too. We all are guilty.

I’m not just touching on the subject of “Oh, let me tell you about ‘Jim and Judy’ so you can ‘pray’ for them…”, when the time spent telling the “prayer request” could have been spent actually praying. Ouch.

Ephesians 6 hopeinthehealing

But I have been convicted over the time I have spent talking about needs or faults, and that time gets carried away and turns into counseling sessions where we think we can solve the other person’s problems…and they aren’t even there to benefit from our newly discovered knowledge!

The Lord reminded me of several things on the subject: “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” 1 Corinthians 10:12 NKJV. Meaning it could very easily be ME that needs the help the next time! It could be ME that my “friends” are talking about next week! Take heed! Be careful who you are talking about this week…or as the saying goes that we see so much of lately…

“Don’t judge others because they sin differently than you…”

And this gem:

“Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:5,6 NKJV.

Your gentleness. That seems Christ-like.

WWJD?

He would show mercy. He wouldn’t run and tell others. He would go straight to the one with the NEED. The one who had the problem. He would offer a helping hand!

Show them your gentleness. What can we DO for them? We can pray, make our requests known to God. Show them kindness, love and extend mercy. And if appropriate and necessary, go a step further. Do they need assistance? Do they need physical substance? If the need is obvious, fill it! If you aren’t sure, listen and let God tell you what to do!

The more I pray for the needs, quirks, and even sins, of my family, friends, co-workers and brothers and sisters in Christ, the less time I will have to pry and gossip.

I think HE will be more pleased with ME.

Be blessed.

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