We live in a day where communication norms have been flipped upside down. In this space, right has no doubt been confused with wrong, as much as in any other. One form of destructive communication that has been normalized is gossip. Our modern society feeds off of soiled morsels generated at tables of intrigue. Such an appetite has been formed that entire industries and associated economies are sustained through gossip.

Responsible patterns of first seeking to understand what someone actually said or did, what they intended, and why they went about it as such, have been lost. We are quick to by-pass an individual, arbitrarily assign our spin about them and drive our poorly derived perspective through talk channels. Before ever getting with someone, we have had their name on our lips in hallways, over coffee, on phone calls, in social posts and even in group “prayer forums.” To make it worse, as we malign their name we do so with all sorts of pious justifications for our behavior. This indeed has become a scourge in our land and a plague in the body of Christ.

We need to repent and turn to the communication patterns given to us by The Word Himself. We need to relearn the power bound up in the tongue to aide us in bringing in great good or causing great destruction. We need to understand the damage done to those on the other end of our deadly rants and remember how serious God takes it when we assasinate the character of people He formed in the womb and died for on the cross.

Said simply, we need to relearn to Talk To, Not About people.

James 3:6, 9-10 “And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell… With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.”

Titus 3:22 “To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.”

- Micah McElveen

Core to our humanhood is a longing to know and make known. Within us lies an undeniable urge to repeat things. "Did you know?" "Have you heard?" are common phrases in any language. From headlines to chat rooms, from spies to the common gossip, humans crave the receiving and giving of information deemed note worthy. Entire industries and distinct human behavior emanate from this intrinsic longing. The mediums of speech, writing and gesture are tools we use to convey what we have come to know. This, indeed, is no accident as our Creator intended that His creation would resound His message.

Unfortunately, since the fall, this natural inclination designed for pure purposes has been tainted, resulting in an intoxicating temptation to profit at the cost of others. Gossip is a prime example. We tear down and defame other image bearers of Christ as we spread toxic morsels, words we would not share in their presence. Our gossip often results in character assassination, the death of one's reputation. It is most sad to see a tool created for good perverted and deployed for such evil.

We, however, can act counter-culturally and commit to serving as amplifiers of the Word of God. We can become "good gossips", who focus on "spurring one another on to love and good works"(Heb. 10:24), spreading the "Good News" of our Savior, and propagating rumors of His wonder!

"If someone thinks he is religious yet does not bridle his tongue, and so deceives his heart, his religion is futile." James 1:26

"One generation shall commend Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts... They shall speak of the might of Your awesome deeds, and I will declare Your greatness." Psalm 145:4&6

"My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, and let all flesh bless His holy name forever and ever." Psalm 145:21

- Micah McElveen