Gossip Slug

Gossip is one of those words that we don't use much these days, because nobody thinks "they" actually gossip. But in reality, we all are guilty of it. This is what Webster's says the word "gossip" means: "Casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details that are not confirmed as being true."

We have all fallen to prey to that ugly word, gossip. The word itself is just ugly isn't it? So much so that I don't like to say it. And yet, we so carelessly allow words to fly out of our mouths that are "unconstrained."

We know gossip to be a bad thing, and we know when we are doing it. We know when something is coming out of our mouths that is not 100% fact as much as we know if we can swim or not. We know. But let's look at something just as dangerous that we can do with our tongue, other than gossip.

Colossians 4:6 got me thinking this morning; it say's, "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt."

What does salt do? Well, it does many things. It can clean a wound, bring out the flavor of food and, oh yes, it can kill a slug! Ew. Slugs are pretty gross. I mean, what purpose does a slug serve? Just the name slug is bad! Hey, since the word "gossip" does not comfortably roll off our tongue, and neither does the word "slug," let's call it "gossip slug!" Ok, ok. I realize I took that way too far. I digress.

That scripture is extremely powerful! Extremely. First off, let our words ALWAYS be with grace. It does not say that our words can be full of grace when we are happy in the situation, or when everyone agree's with us, or when we are in charge of the conversation, or when we feel we are being heard, no, it says "always." Hmm.

Always.

So, when someone does me wrong? When I'm inclined to "tell it like it is?" When I feel the need to get my opinion out so strongly that I can't listen to what the other person is saying because bless God my opinion is right? When I don't agree with them? When they are clearly and knowingly in the wrong?

Always.

Man! Let our speech always be with grace. Now please don't get me wrong here, of course we are not to sit back and let someone rake us over the coals, or abuse us, or be-little us, and of course we are entitled to our opinion and the time to share it, etc., etc., etc. But I like to think that there are ways to handle difficult situations in life with grace. In every situation we find ourselves in, there will be two ways we can handle it; either with grace, or I guess the opposite of that = disgrace. Now since I'm a huge fan of definitions, let Webster define "disgrace" for us. "Loss of reputation or respect, especially as the result of a dishonorable action."

Something we tell our girls often is that "Choices have consequences." It's so simple and yet so true. Every move we make has an end result to it. It either gets us closer to our God given destiny or it moves us further away from it. And so it is with words. The words we use in reaction to people or situations can never be taken back. Once they are off our tongue, that's it. So if we strive to live by the scripture that tells us to "let our speech always be full of grace," then we know that the consequence to our choice will always be a good one.

Grace dis-arms people. Grace sets people at ease. When you find yourself in a heated discussion or situation, the grace that pours out of your mouth will be like cool water on a hot surface. It begins to put the whole situation in a sweeter light.

I also love the second part of that verse - "seasoned with salt." Back to all the things that salt can do, well, minus the killing of the slug, I spent enough time on that, poor gossip slug.

May the words that flow from our mouths be so encouraging that they actually enhance the hearers life! If salt enhances flavor in food, how should our words be? They should be encouraging, edifying, uplifting. I understand that there are times we have to speak the truth, and sometimes that truth can be hard for the hearer to hear. However, when the truth is being told in a manner that is full of grace, that is seasoned with salt, then the truth will not fall on deaf ears, but will be received and given the opportunity to do the work with which it was sent forth to do!

Slug gossip is such a bummer. I vividly recall the moment I was so convicted of something that I said that it forever changed my view of gossip. It was many, many years ago - but I remember the feeling like it was yesterday. There was such an internal disgust that surrounded my choice of words that it's forever etched in my memory to the point that when I hear any form of gossip now it upsets me greatly. But God used that situation to show me how very powerful gossip can be.

I was reminded of the damage gossip does recently when someone asked me if what they "heard" was true about a person. Of course, it was not true at all, in fact, the rumor was straight from the devil himself. But the sad part is that the hearer, even months later, still had a tainted view of the situation even after knowing the truth, all over a hell breathed rumor.

As I type this, tears are flooding my eyes over the damage that our words have the potential to do. Please, I implore you, all two of you that read this, please be careful with the words that come out of your mouth. Are they full of truth? And if so, is it something you actually need to be sharing anyway or is it private. Keep it private. Are your words full of grace? Are they encouraging and uplifting? Let's find the good in people and brag about that. People should feel so awesome when they leave our presence, not because of us, but because of how we made them feel. People should know when they come to a conversation with you that it's a safe place to converse, that it's an encouraging place to converse, and most of all, that it's a graceful place to converse.

I'll leave you with this verse in James 3:17-18 that says, "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."

Isn't that so good? May we live out that verse today, and everyday to come. That we would judge the words of our mouth by that verse. May the hearer always leave our presence feeling like they can be the best they can be, that they are loved by a great and mighty God, and that no matter what the world tells them, they are indeed, super awesome!

I told someone awhile back that my goal was to be so encouraging that it was almost annoying! Almost. Would you join me in that? Let's pour salt on that filthy, old gossip slug. Besides, the trail the slug leaves is dirty enough...