They band together and roam from house to house, gossiping about and meddling into other people's business; they talk about all sorts of things that should never be spoken of..1 Timothy 5:13
Nature is an amazing teacher. What happens in the physical world is often a potential spiritual lesson.
I have been walking my friend's dog Sparky along a nature trail the past three weeks. Each day I see thousands of tiny white flowering plants. They appear very lovely to the eyes.....they seem harmless.
I have observed these plants before. In a matter of time, these lovely minuscule flowers begin to turn very dark, and they eventually form ugly black sticky seeds.
As people and animals walk past, these seeds seem to jump out and attach to the innocent victims' clothes and fur. They are then carried and dropped in other places. Taking root, they continue to spread in an effort to conquer new territory.
There is nothing good about these plants......they turn ugly, and they spread.
It is interesting how these plants demonstrate gossipy people who slander others with words. They may start out using pretty and flattering words that gain entrance into a person's life, but their words turn into harmful attempts to sabotage that very same person.
Why would anyone spread destructive gossip? It is most likely because they are completely insecure. Insecurity promotes an urgent act to tear someone else down in order to feel good about themselves. Insecurity tries to get the other person on its side. Insecurity just likes to hear itself ramble on and on.
Only God can truly know the specific motives behind any individual who practices malicious gossip. I only know that this type of behavior does not come from a beautiful and loving heart that is right with Jesus.
I realize we all have the potential to slip up and get fleshy. Most of us can occasionally use words or actions that do not measure up with the loving behavior that Jesus always desires, but.....a major warning should sound about a person that maintains repeated consistency in this type of slanderous activity.
When someone says to you, "I am only telling you this because I care about this person"......you should be on alert that gossip might be about to ensue.
Listen to Holy Spirit's voice. He will direct you to discard all seeds of gossip before they begin to turn dark and try to attach themselves. Gossip does not come from our Jesus.
The Lord said, "..why were you not afraid to speak against My servant..?" Numbers 12:8.
Do not give life to the hateful seeds of gossip by planting them somewhere else. Cast those ugly seeds to the ground. Be the one to step on and crush their hurtful potential.
Studying the Bible will train you to discern false and hurtful motives in a person's words. The Word of God will also teach you how to nullify gossip's "evil attempt" by speaking life words of blessing and love.
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21.