In the town I reside, like any town, there are many places' people go to talk about people's problems, not with each other, but behind their back. Every community has one, a familiar place to gather around to gossip about others. These places guide us to our next Wonderfully Weird Command: Do Unto Others. A command, when appropriately learned, will bring health to the soul, and allow relationships to flourish.
"So in everything, do unto others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." Most know this command as the "Golden Rule," expressed in Matthew 7:12 (KJV). This verse is one of the most quoted verses from the Bible, and it's one of the most misinterpreted; it's mostly about gossip. Most agree that we don't want other people to gossip about you or us. When a Christian gossips, it's cruel, uncaring, and insensitive in the faith and devalues relationships and life.
To understand our command, one must realize what gossip is. The word "gossip" in our day goes by "venting." Gossip or venting happens when one person complains about a third person to another person to vent and release stress. For many people, especially the Christian, gossip is a drug, and like heroin to the junky, it's short-lived, and the more they use it, the more they need it to get the same relief or high the next time they inject it. When people gossip in life— at home, work, church, fast food joints, etc.—complaining is the result rather than resolving matters directly. It's a terrible behavior that causes people hurt and does not add value to life. Beware of the gossip junky; they have unique hangouts to vent or rationalize their viewpoints on issues and people.
With understanding gossip, let's turn to the Bible to see how we can "Do Unto Others." What do we want other people to do? Not gossip! The Bible in Proverbs 11:13 clearly states that gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret (NIV). It also says, "Even a fool is thought to be wise when he remains silent; he is thought to be prudent when he keeps his mouth shut - Proverbs 17:28 (ISV)." If you say you are a person of integrity, as the Bible says, you must keep your "mouth shut" to get out of the habit of gossip and throw it away to reap a good and meaningful life.
I encourage all to "Do Unto Others" and not gossip. Do so to produce "sensitivity" in your faith. Whether at home, at work, or church, let's dispute our toxic words and decide to use language that edifies and encourages others. Let's stop being callous and choose a better way. Let's have great conversations with God and others to bring health to each other, the church, and around the tables of life.
With an encouraging delightful heart,