Use Your WordsEsimerkki

Did you hear? I’m getting better as I get older and wiser, but I have to confess that I used to love sharing gossip. And I loved hearing gossip. Oh, I didn’t think it was gossip. We were just sharing information . . . or venting . . . or asking for a prayer request. What’s insidious about gossip is that it looks pale in comparison to other “bigger” sins. After all, no one ever goes to a 12-step meeting and says, “My name is <fill in the blank>, and I’m a gossip.” Let’s not deceive ourselves. We may not be ingesting gossip literally, but it’s just as addicting. After all, “the words of a gossip are swallowed greedily, and they go down into a person’s innermost being” (Proverbs 18:8 GW). God wants you to use your words to build up people. Instead, we give into the temptation to gossip. Gossip makes rumors sound like truth. Gossip hurts a friend’s reputation. Gossip talks about people behind their backs to make fun of them. Gossip puts people down. Gossip laughs when other people hurt. Gossip is like sugar-covered poison. It tastes good, but it makes your heart and soul sick. “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be” (James 3:8-10). Today’s a good day to be reminded. [ Sign up for more devotions like this! ](http://www.yourtimeofgrace.org/newsletter/YouVersion/ToG/)