![]() The Proverbs say, “Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered” (Prov 11:13). What will break up a friendship quicker than anything? Gossip! I can’t think of anything that will drive a wedge between Christian brothers or sisters quicker than spreading gossip. Scripture warns us that “A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends” (Prov 16:28). If it’s not all three, don’t say anything at all. If it’s helpful but not kind, don’t say it. Before you say anything at all, ask yourself, “Is it true, is it kind, and is it helpful?” If it’s true, but not kind, don’t say it. “a whisperer separates close friends” (Proverbs 16:28) Gossip Besides, God knows their need and that’s all that matters, so how does gossip hurt the church? The Bible is clear on this. Maybe that’s why many who request prayer say them as an “unspoken need.” I can’t blame them. That’s the hidden danger of having a prayer chain. As the Head, He feels the Body’s pain, just like we’d feel pain in our members. When Saul was persecuting believers who are the Body of Christ, he was actually persecuting Jesus Himself since He is the Head of the Body. Saul had been persecuting the Christians and not Jesus, right, so Saul asks, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting” (Acts 9:5). ![]() On the Damascus Road, Jesus asked Saul, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me” (Acts 9:4). If it hurts the Body of Christ, it hurts Christ. In fact, it’s one of the things God hates the most (Prov 6:16-19). ![]() Gossip is sin, and to gossip about a brother or sister who is asking for prayer is even worse. When one member attacks another, and that includes gossip, then it’s the same thing as persecuting Jesus Christ Himself. For example, something as simple as a prayer request might end up becoming a juicy piece of gossip that travels throughout the congregation, and even outside of the church, so we should remember that Jesus is the Head of the Church, and we are the Body of Christ. One of the greatest dangers in churches today is a hidden danger, and that danger is gossip. Gossip cannot only ruin relationships, it can wreck a church, so here’s a simple solution on how to stop the gossip in your church. ![]()
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