Comments on: Idle Chatter

By: Renee

Renee — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 03:38:11 +0000

Another common thing I hear is gossip dressed up in a prayer request. “Pray for Susie because this is what’s happening in her office/family/marriage, etc.” I’m finally getting bold enough to stop people in their tracks and say I don’t want to hear gossip, or if something is going on I’ll ask “Susie” about it myself. It’s worked really well so far in getting these women to reconsider what they’re spreading around about other people’s business.

By: amylake

amylake — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 01:06:47 +0000

I agree with Meredith–this is the best summary on “speaking things which they ought not” that I have read.

We are currently in a relatively large church for the first time in our lives and I have been perplexed at how to handle the situations of idle chatter and constant criticizing among the women. In the midst of an otherwise edifying conversation it is common to hear a criticism of the way another family in the church does this or that. What do you suggest be done in such a case?

By: Valerie (Kyriosity)

Valerie (Kyriosity) — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 17:49:54 +0000

Mrs. Wilson, what do you suppose is the sin beneath the sin? I know for me a piece of it is the attention and sense of self-importance and self-justification I get from gossip. (And underneath that is a failure to believe that I have all the importance and justification I could ever need in Christ.) I know that when I sense that, I’m on the wrong track, and I need to shut my mouth.

But other times what I want to share is simply burdensome, and I need help processing it or dealing with it or counseling someone else. In a case like that, I might go to someone wiser than I am (such as one of my elders’ wives) who can be trusted not only to wisely handle the information I want to share, but also to tell me to shut up if I start saying too much. Does that seem like a careful enough course of action? I guess what I’m looking for is a clearer way to gauge my motives.

Again, thanks for sharing your thoughts on this.

By: Monica

Monica — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 17:06:33 +0000

Mrs. Wilson, thank you so much for your honest and convicting words. What an encouragement you and your husband have been to my husband and me lately. Please keep speaking truth to us.

By: Meredith_in_Aus

Meredith_in_Aus — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 13:22:44 +0000

What a great collection of many great definitions and good ideas. This is the best short work I’ve read on gossip (and related). Thanks, Mrs Wilson! Printing it out and saving it. Hope you don’t mind if I share it .

In Him

Meredith

By: Valerie (Kyriosity)

Valerie (Kyriosity) — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 09:26:24 +0000

Many helpful points here. Thank you so much!

By: Natalie Short

Natalie Short — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 08:12:46 +0000

This is a timely word for me indeed as I find myself again confronted with the temptation to fritter away my time in useless prattle. Thank you for the excellent reminder on how I should use my tongue (and ears).