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wingsaglow
Intermediate Member
Username: wingsaglow
Post Number: 467
Registered: 12-2004
Posted From: 71.38.210.78
| | Posted on Friday, December 15, 2006 - 12:32 am: | 
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"Gossip" is derived from the idea of "whispering." According to the same dictionary, "gossip" means "To indulge in idle talk or rumors about others; spreading of sensational stories." Funk and Wagnals dictionary defines it as "Idle, or malicious talk about others." As we can see, gossip is a close cousin to slander, and God's Word places both in the same cupboard as murder and other wickedness -- sins worthy of death.
Let me ask, as a Christian do you occasionally slip up and commit a murder here or there? Or how about theft -- do you occasionally burglarize a home or steal things from the store? You may think this is silly to ask. Of course, a Christian lifestyle doesn't behave that way. But how about gossip or slander? Do you engage in idle talk or rumors about others? Do you participate in bad-mouthing or spreading rumors about others? According to the Bible, which sin is less severe? Murder or gossip? I'm sure you get the message. Paul said, BOTH are sins equally worthy of death.
The Apostle Peter, also used murder as a comparison with another, sometimes under-rated sin. "But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters" (1 Peter 4:15). Notice that a "busybody" is placed in the same company as "murderers, thieves, and evildoers." The dictionary defines a busybody as "a meddler; a person who seeks confidential information about others; a snoop; a nosy person."
A busybody is another close relative to gossip -- a person who meddles in the affairs of others. They are like a peeping-tom who snoops and spies. A busybody is the investigator for the gossips and rumormongers, seeking to uncover sensational details and to whisper the latest news. Sometimes busybodies are persons who have too much time on their hands, with nothing better to do than to talk too much. "Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to" (1 Tim. 5:13).
More to follow on this awesome message are ya getting the message yet? |
wingsaglow
Intermediate Member
Username: wingsaglow
Post Number: 468
Registered: 12-2004
Posted From: 71.38.210.78
| | Posted on Friday, December 15, 2006 - 12:34 am: |
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here's some more and it's the final of the three part message are you still following each message?
Things to Remember about Gossip
Gossip is as sinful as murder and will suffer the same consequences unless there is repentance (Rom. 1:32).
God holds you accountable to your words (Matt. 12:36-37).
The person who gossips to you about others, also gossips to others about you.
Gossip & slander disqualifies persons for spiritual leadership (1 Tim. 3:11, Jas. 3:2).
Gossip often masks as pretentious concerns for others.
Gossip often thrives upon secrecy. Where secrecy is removed, gossip is hampered.
Gossip always contributes to a problem and never to a solution.
Gossip always distorts and exaggerates, and is never a reliable source of truth.
Those who gossip & slander are not in right fellowship with God (Rom. 1:28-32).
Those who gossip rarely get answers to prayer, and often face persistent, unexplainable problems (Psalms 66:18, Prov. 21:23, Prov. 6:12-15).
What to do about Gossip
If you have been a gossiper, confess this as sin and ask Christ to forgive you. "Repent" by turning in a new direction and surrendering your tongue to Christ, not to gossip or bad-mouth again (1 John 1:9, 1 Cor. 7:10).
Keep your nose out of other people's business.
If you can't say something good or encouraging about others, then keep your mouth shut (Eph. 4:29).
Never criticize another person, except to their own face with an intent to help. Criticism can never be "constructive" if expressed to anyone else.
If your "friends" start bad-mouthing others to you, stop them in their tracks -- refuse to be a partaker of their sins (1 Tim 5:22).
Avoid association with persons who gossip (Prov. 20:19).
Expose works of darkness by reporting gossip to the pastor that he may confront and offer correction. Gossip should be treated as any other vile sin (Eph. 5:11).
"I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence" (Psalms 39:1). |
wingsaglow
Intermediate Member
Username: wingsaglow
Post Number: 469
Registered: 12-2004
Posted From: 71.38.210.78
| | Posted on Friday, December 15, 2006 - 12:39 am: |
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PLEASE READ THIS FIRST AS THE LAST SHALL BE FIRST RIGHT???}}}}
Current mood: Happy, and busy. This is for all of those who are Bible college people. I jest wanna seak from the word as it's what ya all are ah sayin ya understand. When my joke was not accepted in the manner that it was to be recieved by those who don't like humor. So this is for you and it's now on yer kind of level. Bible college level that is.
Wingsy
In the Bible : Paul said that gossips and bad-mouthers were in the same league as murderers, sexual perverts, and God haters -- and that such sins were worthy of a death sentence!
Romans 1:28 "Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.
1:29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips,
1:30 Slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents;
1:31 they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless.
1:32 Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these things but also approve of those who practice them."
"Slander" is a word that has an interesting origin. It comes from the word "Devil." According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, slander means "malicious talk; to spread damaging information; to defame; to speak ill of." Is it no wonder where slander derives it's name? Slander is the work of the Devil, and those who slander are on his team. In fact the Bible says that Satan is called the "accuser of the brethren" (Rev. 12:10). Are you an accuser of the brethren too? If so, even though it may not be your intention, you are being used an agent of the Devil! According to scripture, any Christian who's mouth is out of control does not have a right relationship with God. "If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight reign on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless" (James 1:26).
NOW YOU CAN READ FROM THE TOP DOWN. This is such a wonderful message. |
uncharmed
Intermediate Member
Username: uncharmed
Post Number: 143
Registered: 10-2005
Posted From: 206.132.122.10
| | Posted on Friday, December 15, 2006 - 4:18 pm: |
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Duh ta duh.
Did you gain copyright privileges to post that here?
Other people's good words and godly lives don't make you into someone who can be trusted.
Do you steal and hate or judge? Do you take other people's creative work and manuever it into yours and then act so so so so so innocent?
Telling the truth about someone who lies on purpose for gains is not slander. Who died and made you Judge? It wasn't why Jesus died Wings! |
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