HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS – 1 TIMOTHY 5: 13 & 14

 

Gossip – An informal conversation about other people’s private affairs. A Gossip is a person who enjoys talking about people’s private affairs. Gossip is likened to cancer. What is as cancer? It has been described as a disease in which a group of abnormal cells grow uncontrollably by disregarding the normal rules of cell division.  Normal cells are constantly subject to signals that dictate whether the cell should divide, differentiate into another cell or die. Cancer cells develop a dgree of autonomy from these signals resulting in uncontrolled growth. The disease often causes death. Literally, it is an evil or dangerous thing that spreads quickly and destroys a system. It was reported that in 2009, cancer killed 7.6million people.

 

Causes:

-         Quest to know, have information on everything thus becoming nosy and meddlesome in other people’s matters.

-         Idleness – Some of us have idle time-going from house to house or from one person to the other – busy bodies.

-         Self-righteousness – Waiting to prove that we are better than others creating a wedge in relationships. A way of judging others which is not our job.

-         Loose lips – Some of us can’t just keep our mouth shut, we are talking machines/basket month.

-         Some use it as a social bonding – birds of the same feathers

 

Characteristics:

Inquisitiveness – Asking questions about something or somebody as:

v Did you hear what Pastor said to Dn/Dns or?

v You wouldn’t behave what I heard Rev did about or to so, so

v Ehum, I heard that so, so said this or that.

Story sharing – One person sharing one story about another person to solicit the interest of the other.

Showing attention – Waiting to show that they snow so much about the organization or other person or persons. Trying to put out faults and failings of others.

 

Consequences:

-         Separates us from intimate fellowship with God

-         Damages relationship – Prov 16:28

-         Destroys trust – Prov 11:13; 26:20

-         Spread falsehood and crushes the sprit – Prov 15:4

-         Endanger the health of the church

 

Cure:

-         Develop the habit of finding out facts before joining in further discussions.

-         Politely say that you would prefer to talk about the person when they are present.

-         Refuse to appreciate the frurate of the gossip.

-         Offer to go to the victimized person with the gossiper right away to discuss the matter.

-         Change the topic whenever a conversation leads to gossip. Hide any hurt feelings or drastic reation to gossip.

-         Avoid people who talk gossip and don’t give any opportunity for other to spread it.

-         Don’t respond to questions about opinions on others or gossip traps.