On Friday, we looked at the Royal Law, which commands us to love others as we love ourselves and thereby treat them the way we want to be treated. Today, we learn how to apply the Royal Law in the way we communicate about others. Specifically, God's instruction to neither gossip nor slander.
To better understand gossip, consider 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.
Although this verse does not mention gossip, it gives direction on the attitude we must have about what we say. This scripture calls us to be intentional, and not mindless, in how we use our words. Our speech must build others up and not tear them down. The words we share should benefit those who listen. Sure, we all want to say something funny, but at whose expense?
Gossip does not take any of this into consideration. It is unwholesome talk which destroys the subject of the communication. It is hurtful and something none of us would want shared about ourselves, talk less blasted across the forms of media we now use to express our every idea and opinion. Imagine if you were the topic of discussion. Would you still want people to keep talking? Ask yourself, would the person you're communicating about be hurt to hear what is said about them? Would you be hurt if the tables were turned?
In many cases, the communication may seem harmless - a juicy tidbit casually shared to entertain. Unbeknownst to most, that morsel destroys the speaker and the listener as well. Proverbs 17:4 - Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip; liars pay close attention to slander (NLT). All it takes to be a wrongdoer in this case is to listen to, and not even share, gossip. Plus, if the listener becomes a wrongdoer, what does that make the speaker?
Every human is fearfully and wonderfully made in God's image (Psalm 139:14, Genesis 1:27). This should challenge us to tread carefully when we say or listen to things about people. Particularly, things that aren't nice. And we must keep this in mind because there are times when we will unfortunately have to share something unpleasant about someone. Before you do, ask yourself what your intention is in expressing what you're about to say. This will require you to slow down and think before speaking. It is scriptural to do so for the Bible warns us to guard our hearts for out of it comes everything (Proverbs 4:23). And, Jesus said in Matthew 15:18, that the words that come out of our mouths were first formed in our hearts. See why we have to be mindful about what's in our hearts? When we fail to do so, we may say the things that God does not want us to say about others and even ourselves.
Besides, we are warned that everyone will reap what they sow (Galatians 6:7). Let us be careful to not reap problems for ourselves through evil communication for such gets people into trouble (1 Corinthians 15:33). Gossip is deemed slanderous in Leviticus 19:16 and the Lord's pronouncement for slanderers is that they will be silenced (Psalm 101:5). I don't think the Lord means they will be made mute. Do you? Further, slanderers are not allowed to stand in the presence of God (Psalm 15:1-3). If your prayers aren't being answered, could gossip and slander be acting as a hindrance? And finally, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 tells us slanderers will not make heaven.
It is not everyone who can instantly turn from ungodly behavior but the key is to be intentional. Call on the Lord to help you. Take decisive steps to limit your interaction with gossips and gossip. When you mess up, confess, repent and get back on track for as long as it takes until you no longer crave that which destroys. The Lord will help each of us to treat others with the love of Christ through our speech, IJMN, Amen.
For more on the Royal Law, please see: