It’s Just My Opinion!!!

I’ve heard that excuse before. 

And yes, I said excuse. 

Everyone has an opinion and every one says that they have a right to express their opinion.  And most folks truly believe that they have the right to say whatever they want to about whoever they want.  

   
Do you know that when you talk about others and give your opinion, you are gossiping?  

You are telling the truth???

So, that makes it okay?

Well, that’s what I used to think, too. 

Then THE LORD had me look up the word, “gossip.” 

Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gossip) says, gossip is idle talk or rumor, especially about personal or private affairs of others.

So, according to this definition, even if you are telling the truth, when you are talking about other folks’ private business, you are gossiping!!!


Do you see the word, “idle?” 

Vocabulary.com explains the word, “idle” very well.

Something idle is not active. If your car is idling, it's running but not moving. If someone calls you idle, it either means they think you don't have enough to do or that you're just plain lazy.

Idle can also mean having no value or purpose: idle rumors are rumors that people make up when they're bored, but have no grounding in fact. As a verb, idle can also refer to a car engine that is running while the vehicle is not moving. The adjective descends from Middle English idel, from Old English īdel "empty."


GOD’S WORD has something to say about “idle talk.”


Matthew 12:36 (NKJV) But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.


Here is what GOD says about those who say they love THE LORD, but continue to gossip and run their mouths about other folks. 


James 1:26 (CEB) If those who claim devotion to God don’t control what they say, they mislead themselves. Their devotion is worthless.


Now, that is pretty plain.  So, if you are gossiping and you think that GOD just overlooks it because you are supposed to be saved, then you are deceiving your own self. 


James 1:26 (ESV) If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.


Can you imagine what folks must think about you, if you go to church ALL the time and claim that you are saved, sanctified and filled with the HOLY GHOST?  Then they hear you telling ALL of Sister Sally’s and Brother Fred’s business. 


And you wonder why they won’t go to church with you when you invite them.


Why would anyone want to come to a church full of gossip-a place where folks act just like those people out in the world?  Folks can go anywhere and find that kind of behavior, but they shouldn’t find it in church.


1 Timothy 5:13 (NKJV) And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.


I know that some folks would say that I am making a big deal out of ALL this, but I must tell you that God wants us to keep our mouths off of others and HE wants us to stay out of other people’s business.


2 Thessalonians 3:11 (CEB) We hear that some of you are living an undisciplined life. They aren’t working, but they are meddling in other people’s business.


THE LORD dealt with me about talking about folks-about gossiping-which as you can see HE says is sin.  GOD told me to mind my own business.  And HE also told me NOT to tell everyone my business.    


Proverbs 21:23 (NCV) Those who are careful about what they say keep themselves out of trouble.

Proverbs 10:19 (NCV) If you talk a lot, you are sure to sin; if you are wise, you will keep quiet.


GOD also told me NOT to listen to gossip or repeat what I hear others telling.


Proverbs 26:20 (NCV) Without wood, a fire will go out, and without gossip, quarreling will stop.


Proverbs 26:20 (ESV) For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.


Do you see where it talks about the whisperer in that last verse?  Most folks whisper when they tell gossip because they know that they shouldn’t be talking about other people.  They know they are wrong!!!


Proverbs 16:28 (KJV) A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.


I looked up the word, “forward.”  It means willful and contrary.


So, Proverbs 16:28 is actually saying, A willful and contrary man stirs up trouble and causes conflict: and a whisperer separates close friends. 


That is why the Common English Bible says it this way. 


Proverbs 16:28 (CEB) Destructive people produce conflict; gossips alienate close friends.


If you know that someone is always telling other folks’ business, then you need to stay away from that person.


Proverbs 20:19 (CEB) Gossips reveal secrets; don’t associate with those who talk too much.


2 Timothy 2:16 (CEB) Avoid their godless discussions, because they will lead many people into ungodly behavior.


If a person will talk about someone else, they will talk about you.  You cannot trust someone who gossips.


Proverbs 11:13 (NCV) Gossips can’t keep secrets, but a trustworthy person can. 


Proverbs 11:13 (NKJV) A talebearer reveals secrets,
But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.

Proverbs 17:9 (NKJV) He who covers a transgression seeks love,
But he who repeats a matter separates friends.


As you can see, God does NOT like gossips and talebearers!!!  And if you have ever been on the other end of the tales that are being told, neither would you!!!  Folks are hurt by gossip, even when they don’t tell you that it is hurting them. 


But GOD reassures us that talebearers and gossips will get theirs.  HE tells us that NO ONE that comes against us shall prosper.


Isaiah 54:17 (NKJV)

¹⁷ No weapon formed against you shall prosper,
And every tongue which rises against you in judgment
You shall condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
And their righteousness is from Me,”
Says the Lord.


So, if we can’t talk about others, what are we supposed to talk and think about? 


Philippians 4:6-7 (NCV)

⁶ Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks.

⁷ And God’s peace, which is so great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:8-9 (NKJV)

⁸ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

⁹ The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.


That’s all well and good, but we can’t just sit around and think all day.  What are we supposed to do with our lives??? 


1 Thessalonians 4:11 (NCV) Do all you can to live a peaceful life. Take care of your own business, and do your own work as we have already told you.


Ephesians 4:29  New American Standard Bible (NASB) Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.


In case you don’t know what edification means, it means to build up a person and help them make themselves better, but as GOD reminds us, we have to speak in love!!!


Ephesians 4:15-16 (CEB) ¹⁵ Instead, by speaking the truth with love, let’s grow in every way into Christ, ¹⁶ who is the head.


If we truly want to be like CHRIST, we have to speak and teach GOD’S WORD in LOVE, so that we build others up and help them to be strong.  Then they can go out and spread GOD’S WORD by showing and telling others about the LOVE OF CHRIST!!! 


In the end, it ALL comes back to LOVE!!!  If you want to be more like JESUS, then you must love others and try to help build them up!!!  If you truly LOVE them, you won’t talk about them behind their backs.  And when you are trying to help build others up, you can ONLY do it effectively, if YOU DO IT IN LOVE!!!