If you’ve followed my blog for any length of time, you’ve most likely seen the following quote as it is one of my favorites:
Small minds and people talk about things.
Average minds and average people talk about other people.
Great minds and great people talk about ideas, concepts, dreams and goals.*
As far as I’m concerned the world is made up of way too many average minds. Gossip and criticism of others is a very addictive activity…I write from experience.
Many years ago, I felt first-hand what it was like to be gossiped about. It hurt. In fact, in some ways it still hurts today. Being a pharmacist in a small town and going off to treatment for a drug addiction problem was fair game for the “average minds” in my community. The gossip I endured was one of the many consequences I had to face because of my own stupid actions. The best part of my experience of being the center of a hot gossip topic was it really helped me understand how hurtful it is.
Gossip is a form of judging and is usually generated from a less than healthy self-esteem which is born from the fear of insignificance. In essence we build ourselves up by tearing other people down.
The devil loves for us to waste our time criticizing and gossiping about the behavior of others. When we are busy with this wasteful activity it gets in our way of the great things God wants us to do with our lives.
Proverbs 26:20 (NIV), “Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.”
Reflection:
What beliefs, thoughts and actions cause you to struggle with gossip?
Additional Scripture to read and reflect on: Ephesians 4:29, Proverbs 16:28, Luke 6:31
P.E.A.C.E.
Jay@EagleLaunch.com
*Paraphrased from an Eleanor Roosevelt quote.
