I know that today’s topic is a little touchy, but definitely one that we will spend some time on over this month. Proverbs 18:8 says, “The words of a gossip are like choice morsels, they go down to the inmost parts.” It‘s funny how easily I can forget things, even to the point that I have to walk back into a room hoping that I will be triggered to what I needed and was looking for. I can forget what my husband tells me to put on the grocery list. And, how many times we can sit over Sunday dinner, and think about what was preached on (struggling to remember, ouch!)
It is crazy how when we (or I) hear a bit of something juicy about another, that’s what wants to stick inside of me. I hate that. I don‘t want something that should be distasteful to me be something that I enjoy like a piece of pineapple or watermelon. I must practice the discipline of walking away from a conversation or even telling the one speaking I am not interested in hearing this, and you shouldn’t be sharing this. Wow, that takes grit and guts. BUT we must guard our sisters and brothers, we need to be a shield of protection about them and a circle of safety. We need to pray, confront conflict when necessary, guide, direct, train, teach and point to God’s way with all the love that He provides.
That is the choice fruit that I want to develop and crave—the kind of fruit that is produded from abiding in the Vine of my Jesus.