DAILY BREAD, 1-29-07

DAILY BREAD, Monday, 1-29-07

SOMETHING ALL FAITHFUL CHRISTIANS MUST WATCH!
Neal Pollard

Proverbs seems to do the most thorough job of dealing with the matter about which all faithful Christians today should be very aware. The Hebrew word rakil is found six times in the Old Testament, variously translated as "slanderer" (Prov. 20:19) and "backbiting" (Prov. 11:13). Proverbs 20:19 also uses the word "gossip" (pathah), which in that passage literally means "to be spacious, wide, and open."
Of all sins that it is easier to see in others than in ourselves, gossip would have to occupy a chief seat! It is easy to find ourselves, whether out of genuine or feigned concern for someone else's physical, social, or spiritual welfare, out of anger about their actions, attitudes, or lifestyle, out of frustration, or another reason, talking to someone else about a third party who is not present to hear or defend himself or herself. We might "backbite" about our family, our co-workers, our neighbors, or others at church. How do we discern when it crosses the line from concern or inquiry into gossip?

• If we would write the statement about the "subject" and sign our names to it, it is gossip.

• If we say it in their absence and would not say it in their presence, it is gossip.

• Even if the information is true and accurate but is said behind the back, it is still gossip.

• If we pass along information received about a person to another person, it is gossip.

• If we are only the hearer and not the "disher," it is still gossip.

• If it is hearsay, no matter our motives in sharing, it is still gossip.

• If we are speaking about a person in a way in which we would not appreciate being spoken about, we should ask if it isn't gossip.

• Even if we believe we are acting in the best interest of another, if it meets the definition it is still gossip!

We are to think on the right sort of things (Phil. 4:8). Let us also say the right things in the right ways. As Marshall Keeble would say, "Let us first taste our words" before we speak them. If they are not spiritually profitable or adequately thoughtful, let us leave them unsaid.

"Daily Bread" is sent out by Neal Pollard from the Bear Valley church of Christ in Denver, Colorado.