Gossip by Makaeyla Z.

Gossip

By Makaeyla Z. 

Gossip. It's stupid, but we all knew that. It's a sin; that's not new. It ruins countless friendships. I'm sure we've all had our fair share.There isn't much we don't already know about gossip; it's been around since the beginning of time.

We know it's a sin and we know it's one of the ten commandments to not commit false doctrine, which includes lies and gossip. Wait a minute! If one of the commandments covers not gossiping, and another is to not murder, then wouldn't that mean that gossip is JUST as bad as murder?

When we hear that we think "Wait a second, that's not possible. Talking about someone doesn't come close to killing them!" But there we are wrong. We are killing them emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. It hurts to be talked about, whether it's true or not.

This is just going to be quick, but I'll leave you with this. The Bible says Satan is the father of all lies (gossip) - think about that... do you want to be associated with Satan? I sure don't. 

The Problem With Rumors, By Courtney

The Problem With Rumors  

 By Courtney S.

"Hi Marcia!" said Clara. "Boy, did you miss some action last week!"
"What happened?"
"Well let me see.... Oh! There was a rumor that Brian Fitzger cheated off Mikayla's paper in geography class! He claims that he didn't but, I've told everyone that I can think of, well except you!"
"Oh Clara, you really should stop spreading rumors."
"Yea, I know! But, I can't help myself! You will pass this one on won't you? I mean, you have to! Everyone needs to know that Brian Fitzger is a cheater!"
"Oh alright, but this is the very last time! I mean it!"  
"Hi Clara! How was school?" Mom asked.
"Fine."
"You didn't by any chance spread any rumors did you?"
"Of course not mom! Why do you ask?"
"Well it seems like a lot of the kids are giving Brian Fitzger a hard time."
"Oh Mom! I had to! I'm tired of always having to be nice to that spoiled kid!"
"Well, 1st of all spreading rumors isn't nice whatsoever and even more than that it isn't godly at all. Mrs. Applewood allowed Brian to look at Mikayla's workbook because he doesn't have his own yet, and his eyesight isn't the best. He wasn't cheating."
"Oh" said Clara sheepishly.
"I think you have some apologizing to do young lady."
"Yea, me too."  
 Question Time!
I would like for you to answer the questions below and email them to me. With your answers please include you first name or nickname whatever you prefer and your age. I will then post them on CGC.    
1. Why shouldn't Clara have told had told Marcia that Brian Fitzger had cheated off of Mikayla's paper?  
2. What did Marcia do that was also wrong?  
3. How should Marcia have responded to Clara's rumor?  
4. Why did Clara have to apologize?  
5.What would you have done if you were in Marcia's position?  
6. What you have done if you were in Clara's position?  
Bible Verse  
New International Version (NIV): Psalm 34:13 reads: Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking lies.  
New King James Version (NKJV): Psalm 34:13 reads: Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.  
King James Version (KJV): Psalm 34:13 reads: Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.      

Summary

Basically all this is saying is: Refrain form speaking things that you do not know are true. For another example:  If someone were to tell you that they think something is safe to eat or drink, but they're not positive, would you eat or drink it? No! You wouldn't. You'd go and ask someone who knew. It's the same with what you say, if you don't know if the person did it, don't say they did. Talk to the person and find out or don't say anything at all. I know that sometimes it is easier said than done, but pray to God for strength and he will help you.   
 ~God Bless! Courtney~

Rumors & Gossip, By Jamie B.

Rumors & Gossip

By Jamie B.

Have you ever noticed how many rumors you here in just one day?
You may not think what you're hearing is a rumor, but The American Hetitage Dictionary defines the word rumor as:
 ru·mor n.
1. A piece of unverified information of uncertain origin usually spread by word of mouth.
2. Unverified information received from another; hearsay.
This means that anything that you hear about someone that doesn't come out of their mouth is a rumor. Also, gossip is announced as a synonym to rumor. The bible clearly states in many places that gossip and people who gossip are both very wrong.
The Bible states that gossiping is evil: Psalm 34:13 Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.
The words of a gossip will ruin friendships and lives:
Proverbs 18:8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts.
Proverbs 16:28 A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends.
Proverbs 11:13 A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.
The Bible clearly states that any gossip will betray confidence and can't be trusted- Do you want to be defined as that by God's Holy Word? However, the Bible also gives information about what will happen after gossip stops: Proverbs 26:20 Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.
The Bible sets clear rules about not gossiping: Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
And His Word also informs about what will happen when He comes back, and what he fears:
2 Corinthians 12:20 For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder. Matthew 12:36 But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.
Lastly, in the book of Psalm, David is asking "Lord, who will get into your house?" Psalm 15:1-3 LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? 2 He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart 3 and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman.
These are the verses that talk about gossiping. What God thinks of it (Evil), What it can do to lives and friendships (Destroy Them!), The rules about gossiping (Don't Do It!!!!), and The consequences.
The Lord says that no man who does wrong to his neighbor and says wrong things about him will be able to house in his sanctuary; He says that we have to speak the truth from our hearts, and if we do not, we will be judged by him.
Next time you hear your friend spreading rumors, now that you know the true definition of rumor, ask her to stop, politely tell her what she's doing, and give her these scriptures to guide her.
All of these verses were found in the New International Version