Whispers

A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.                      Proverbs 16:28 NIV

For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder. 2 Corinthians 12:20

You will be aware of the term, ‘Chinese Whispers’ which is nice way of saying gossip, or tattletale. Whispers sounds better, but we do a big disservice to the Chinese to tag them in that phrase. So gossip it is and gossip it remains.

The various acts of gossip are usually attributed to the womenfolk, but I have found that men are much the same, and as bad if not worse. You see, gossip is not just a soft whisper behind someone’s back. It can be peddled as an intentional deceit to mislead the thinking of others, to help turn opinions and preferences round to their own wishes! I would go as far as to suggest that this type of deliberate, deceitful gossip is the preferred instrument of the menfolk.

Not only does gossip separate close friends but it is listed among other (we would consider) more serious sins like discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder. This puts the action of the gossiper in a fresh light, doesn’t it? So we must be aware of the damage it can cause, and stay well clear. There is no such thing as it being a good thing. ‘Helpful words’ from a friend like, “I’m only telling you this for your own good”, or “I was told not to say, but…”, don’t count because it is still gossip, and we must be alert to these deceptions.

I Don't Gossip?

For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. 2 Corinthians 12:20

The apostle Paul knew the people he was writing to, and was aware of their hearts. They claimed to be following Jesus, but they had some serious shortcomings. We think this verse can be discounted compared to some ‘bigger’ sins considered more significant, so why did he have to bring slander and gossip up at all? After all, we know better nowadays and don’t do that in our church, and anyway I wouldn’t stoop to that level when talking about anyone, and certainly never about my fellow believers. Right?

Do you ever listen to the words as they come out of your mouth, raw and unfiltered? Others listening might hear clues like, “Did you see what she did”? Or, “They made a right mess of that”. Or, “I wouldn’t have done it like him”. Or, “Other folk don’t like her, and I can see why”. Or, “He’s no good at that job, so he should quit and let someone else do it.” Or, “Are they really Christians, because you would never know”. Do you see yourself in these critical comments now?

Face it. You gossip, and so do I. Paul saw it in his Corinthian friends, even though they didn’t, and we are no different. Gossip is one of those sins we can see easily in other people, but don’t recognise it in our own lives. Because everybody does it, we just fit in so readily. The final word must come from Paul’s word to his church in Ephesus:

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29

News of the Heavens

Shock and horror, the tabloid trash comic which trades under the guise of being a 'news'paper, is to close from this coming Sunday, which will be its last edition of salacious gossip, celebrity hotheads, tittle tattle, and other non news items. Will the News of the World be missed? Certainly not by Christians, or at least serious Christians.

We are talking about a newspaper which hacked into the mobile phone voicemails of celebrities, footballers, politicians, and latterly lowered its sights to the victims of murder and terrorism. In a matter of hours it seems, condemnation arose from the general public so fast it would have made your nose bleed. We don't need a rag like this on our news stands. It is out of place, but then so are others which are owned by the same people. Only one example of which is the 'Sun', more famous for its page 3 than for its so called campaigns. I think the public spirited campaigns were only a cover to gloss over their other and bigger agenda. To bring the lowest possible articles to a 'heavy breathing' public.

Rupert Murdoch also owns News International, which covers other TV stations (eg Fox) and newspaper titles, none of which are known for balanced and impartial broadcasting. I can only believe that there is rejoicing in heaven at the closure of this 'comic', and as a direct result of their own wrongdoing as well. Would I be too naïve to believe this is the first of other similar titles to fall? Or is it possible that this is a clever ploy by Murdoch to appear good enough to get his hands on the controlling share of BSkyB and pull the wool over the Monopolies Commission? I certainly hope not! One commentator said today, 'we get the press we deserve', and I happen to think this is also true for our churches! Hmmmm.....