There is an 18th-century folktale attributed to Rabbi Levi Yitzhak which explores the cruel and uncontrollable nature of gossip. For those not familiar with the story I will attempt to give you the short version.
A woman in a small village had spread gossip concerning a fellow villager. The gossiper being somewhat remorseful went to the village Rabbi to confess this sin. The wise Rabbi told the woman to go home, take a feather pillow to the village square, cut it open and then return to him. Being somewhat relieved of the easy penance, the woman rushed out to do as the Rabbi had directed. Very happily the woman returned to the Rabbi to tell him she had done as he requested. The Rabbi told the woman she must now reclaim all the feathers she had loosed and bring them back to him.
Extremely distressed, the woman exclaimed, “That’s impossible! The weathers have been caught in the wind and spread about far and wide. I can never reclaim them all!”
“So true.” said the Rabbi. “Words like feathers in the wind can never be reclaimed. They are forever lost to you.” The woman went away sorrowful, but wiser.
We much prefer to conveniently forget our actions have consequences. Should you doubt this allow me to direct you to the story of King David, called a man after God’s own heart, and his sin with Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11-12.
In God’s word we are told to abstain from gossip and to separate ourselves from the gossiper; yet gossip continues to be a popular pastime. Today’s technology enables us to engage in this evil (yes, EVIL) pastime with abandon. We are no longer confined to the telephone, passing notes in school, slam books, beauty shops, etc.; today we can text messages to our friends and consorts, send emails, use posts on the varied and many electronic social networks to spread the word.
Careers have been destroyed, marriages ruined, homes wrecked and lives ruined by vicious gossips. And worst of all, testimonies for Jesus Christ have been shattered—yes, the person spreading the gossip is hurt by it too. Their credibility is severely damaged. Is the short-lived pleasure received from repeating and spreading those “tasty” morsels really worth the resulting carnage?
Here are a few verses from Proverbs for your consideration:
Proverbs 11:13
Gossips betray a confidence, but the trustworthy keep a secret.
Proverbs 16:28
The perverse stir up dissension, and gossips separate close friends.
Proverbs 20:19
A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.
Proverbs 26:20
Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.
Also consider Romans 1, where the apostle Paul groups gossips with “God-haters” and murderers. Certainly, this should humble us and give us pause.
Dearest Lord, please forgive me for careless words I have spoken and the damage they have caused. Help me to remember that as a member of the body of Christ I am to love my brother as myself; that I am to encourage and build-up. I thank you for saving me; I thank you for your infinite and divine love. Help me to see others as you see them and to love others as you love. In the precious name of Jesus I ask this. Amen.
God bless you!
