Resisting Gossip – Part 2: Resisting Gossip

This week we want to work through the issue of gossip. We will be using Resisting Gossip: Winning the War of the Wagging Tongue by Matthew Mitchell as a guide.▪ Resisting Gossip – Part 2: Resisting Gossip (chapters 4-6)Sinful gossip includes the sin of judging others▪ See James 4:11-12 [slander means to speak against someone, to talk them down, to speak ill of them, to disdain someone or to run somebody down verbally; intent is to belittle another, to pour out contempt, to mock, to hurt, to harm, to destroy]▪ What are the issues in passing judgment?~ Rush to judgment- which involves: listening to only one side; not considering the source; assuming and assigning motives; and we assume the worst about someone~ Prideful judgment – it is not our place, calling, or responsibility; we don’t judge how we would want to be judged; we aren’t willing to humble ourselves~ Unloving judgment – critical judgment (lacks charity)Practicing Ephesians 4:29 – Applying the put off/put on principle to our use of our mouths1. Say nothing at all (Proverbs 10:19; 17:27-28)2. Commend the Commendable – say something good (“helpful for building others up”)3. Talk to people, not about them (Matthew 5:24) – this can mean loving confrontation4. Offer words of mercy – words should “minister grace to our hearers” (e.g., Proverbs 10:21)5. Talk to and about the Lord (Ephesians 5:19-20)Listening▪ Evil listening~ Proverbs 17:4~ Live as children of the light1. Pray and weigh (Use wisdom to ask discerning questions to know how to engage with the one gossiping)2. Avoid – Proverbs 20:193. Cover and defend– Proverbs 17:9; 10:12)4. Go to the one being talked about+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++For more information about this group, please visit their website at reformationboise.com. Every weekday at 3:30 am and 7:30 am you can listen to The Gospel for Life on KSPD 94.5 FM and 790 AM Boise's Solid Talk in the Treasure Valley,  Idaho, USA.If you have a question, comment, or even a topic suggestion for the Pastors, you can email them.  If you enjoy The Gospel for Life, please give us a rating and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts. That helps us a lot!Phone: (208) 991-3526E-mail: [email protected] website:  https://www.790kspd.com/gospel-for-life/to donate on line https://www.reformationboise.com/donate