{"id":19312,"date":"2022-09-15T09:00:11","date_gmt":"2022-09-15T13:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/?p=19312"},"modified":"2022-09-11T10:01:30","modified_gmt":"2022-09-11T14:01:30","slug":"6-negative-consequences-of-gossip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/2022\/09\/6-negative-consequences-of-gossip.html","title":{"rendered":"6 Negative Consequences of Gossip"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

“I heard Tracy slept with that boy from our science class. She will do anything for attention.”<\/em><\/p>\n

“Did you hear that the neighbor was having an affair with the worker who is remodeling her house? ” “No I didn’t. Tell me more.” <\/em><\/p>\n

Gossip is more than idle chatter. It can ruin the life of someone. It happens to the young and old.<\/p>\n

We know that gossip on social media has prompted teen suicide in some cases. The shame that comes with being outed or slandered can be unbearable.<\/p>\n

Matthew 12: 36 reminds us, “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,\u00a0that every careless word will be accounted for one day.” Think about that–every careless word! Gossip is full of careless words.<\/p>\n

Here are 6 negative consequences of gossip to help you stop and think before you speak:<\/p>\n

1)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Broken trust and hurt feelings<\/strong>: \u201cA gossip betrays a confidence but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.\u201d (Proverbs 11:13). Gossip has broken many relationships and ended with hurt feelings.<\/p>\n

2)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Damaged relationships:<\/strong> \u00a0It may even cause friends to separate or break up and stop seeing one\u00a0another. \u201cA perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.” (Proverbs 16:28). Words cannot be taken back once spoken. Do you really want to risk relationships over gossip?<\/p>\n

3)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Fueling negativity by causing suspicion and distrust<\/strong>: When gossip is involved, it makes you question the intent of the gossiper. \u201cWithout wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.” (Proverbs 26:20). What is the purpose, the aim of gossip? \u00a0Certainly it is not to build each other up. As followers of Christ, we are to encourage one another and build each other up.<\/p>\n

4)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A craving for more<\/strong> once you engage: There is a certain powerful feeling that comes with gossip. You like to hear it and want more. “The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.” (Proverbs 26:22). The more you do it, the easier it becomes.<\/p>\n

5) \u00a0 It feeds on itself:<\/strong> According to Timothy,\u201cBesides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not.\u201d (I Timothy 5:13). Gossip can be habit forming and a way to interact that feeds on itself.<\/p>\n

6) Because gossip results in negative consequences,<\/strong> we are urged to stay away from those who engage in it. \u201cA gossip betrays a confidence, so avoid anyone who talks too much.” (Proverbs 20:19). That’s pretty clear. Don’t do it and stay away from those who do.<\/p>\n

So the next time you are tempted to gossip, consider the impact your words might have on others. This is not becoming of anyone’s character and the tongue needs to be bridled.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

“I heard Tracy slept with that boy from our science class. She will do anything for attention.” “Did you hear that the neighbor was having an affair with the worker who is remodeling her house? ” “No I didn’t. Tell me more.” Gossip is more than idle chatter. It can ruin the life of someone.…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":419,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[917],"tags":[4524,3843,6583,6586,2729,3844],"class_list":["post-19312","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-friend-relationships","tag-careless-words","tag-gossip","tag-gossip-consequences","tag-negative-relationships","tag-shame","tag-slander"],"yoast_head":"\n6 Negative Consequences of Gossip<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Gossip is more than idle chatter. It can ruin the life of someone. 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