Life Coach - Wisdom from the Proverbs

“The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body.”

-Proverbs 18:8

Oh my, this proverb is too true! How often have we listened with smacking lips enjoying some little word of gossip like a tasty truffle? And then we swallow it up, moving that word of gossip from our smacking lips to our innermost self, not even knowing if this little item of interest is even true. Like the old saying says, “A moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips.” Once we have enjoyed that tasty morsel and swallowed it, we will often defend it as if it were true and even pass it on to others, it has become a part of us.

Why do people gossip? Sometimes it is to put a wedge between the person they are gossiping about and the person who they are telling. Sometimes it is so that the gossiper feels like they know something that others do not, and that makes them feel important or superior. Sometimes it is because they are jealous of the person about whom they are gossiping. Is there any good motive for gossip?

What should we do with gossip? We can cultivate an attitude of not sharing gossip and not listening to it. If we discourage others from sharing their gossip with us, they will soon change to talk about other subjects or find someone else to gossip with. You may be the brunt of their gossip, but at least their tasty trifles will not end up on your hips! You will be traveling lighter, have less to remember, have better thoughts towards others, and probably not fear what they may saying about you!

Action: Make it a goal to not listen to or share gossip.

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