Jesus welcomed the people, taught them about the Kingdom of God and healed those in need. Luke 9:11

Seeds of the Kingdom

Keeping Confidence

by Tanya Person

9 December 2009

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A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.
Proverbs 11:13, NIV

What is a gossip? One person said, “Gossip is when you say something about someone else that you wouldn’t say in front of that person.” Another person said, “Gossip is also sharing someone else’s news that isn’t ours to share.” All through Scripture it is clear that we need to guard our tongues and not gossip. We are encouraged to use our mouths to nourish and build up, rather than tearing down.

This is a challenge to me, to make sure that I do not participate in gossip. I want to be a trustworthy person. I want to be someone that people can share their problems with so that I can pray with them, without them worrying that I will go and talk about them to others. If they are hearing me talking about other people, they will not want to trust me. If we are going to be the body of Christ, encouraging each other, then we need to make sure that we are not gossiping. We need to guard our conversations with others, and also have the boldness to speak out when others are engaging in gossip around us.

The good news is that we don’t have to do this in our own strength! We can pray the prayer that David prayed in Psalm 141:3 ‘Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.’ Let’s ask God to guard our mouths, so that we can be trustworthy people, building each other up in love.

Prayer: Lord, please set a guard on my mouth. Show me when I am tempted to enter into gossip and help me to be a trustworthy person who encourages others. Please give me wisdom to also speak out if others are gossiping around me, that our words be edifying, rather than tearing down.

Tanya Person Tanya and her husband, Jim, were missionaries to Hungary for over 18 years. They have worked with Ellel since 2005. After serving in various positions with Ellel in Central and Eastern Europe, God led them back to the United States, where they are now serving with the Ellel USA team. They have a passion to see leaders restored, the church discipled and walking in God’s fullness of life and freedom, and for mentoring the existing and developing team. Tanya also enjoys crocheting and knitting in her free time and has written some children’s picture books.

 

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