Gossip; It’s Deeper Than You Think.

On today’s episode of LIFE’S HACK we will address the common, disturbing, probably non-deliberate evil………..GOSSIP.

Meanings of Gossip:

According to Oxford dictionary, gossip is defined as a casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people typically involving details, which are not confirmed, to be true.

According to urban dictionary, exaggeration or fabrication of a story, regarding somebody other than the talebearer, in the absence of this person who is being discussed for the malicious purpose or demeaning, slandering or tarnishing this person’s reputation.

MYTHS;

So here’s what it is,

There are certain beliefs we hold on to that makes us get away with this gossip act in our head

1. If I can also say it in front of the person and not just at the person’s back then…ITS NOT GOSSIP

This statement above is not true, the points whatever is being said at the moment still presents an unpleasant image of the person being spoken about.

2. If it’s true then…ITS NOT GOSSIP

Well technically according to some definitions of gossip, this is technically correct, if the statement is true then its not gossip but here’s the thing;

Whatever is being said might be true but at the moment it’s not of help to the person being talked about especially when it’s not being said to the person in question.

3. I have said it to the person in question before, so now talking about it to someone else doesn’t make it GOSSIP

THOUGHTS;

Talking about someone is a spiral pit….. you start from one sentence and before you know it you have said a whole chapter.

Is it intentional; well YES and NO

NO because you did not intend to say things in the first place, worse of negative stuff

YES because you didn’t stop either.

WHAT THE BIBLE HAS TO SAY

Exodus 23:1

Do not spread false reports. Do not help a guilty person by being a malicious witness.

James 1:26

Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.

Leveticus 19:16

Do not go about spreading slander among your people. “ Do not do anything that endangers your neighbour’s life”

Psalm 34: 13

Keep your lips from evil and your tongue from telling lies.

Just to mention a few, the book of proverbs just keeps going on and on about it

NOW LETS HELP EACH OTHER;

You know the times when you just tell someone else about the faults of others (true or untrue) without telling them (the person in question) and with no aim to achieve good from the conversation: STOP IT

You know times when you make passive jokes about something someone else told you in confidence: STOP IT

The times you have to talk in low tunes or behind close doors about someone. ……There my friend is gossip trying to pull you: STOP IT.

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Dike-Chinedu Naomi, “Nae” is a Medical Doctor with an MBBS degree from Babcock University.

She loves Public speaking , Art, Fashion and Space decoration.

She is an unapologetic Lover of God and enjoys sharing his word.