My name is Gossip. I have no respect for justice. I aim without killing. I break hearts and ruin lives. I am cunning & malicious & gather strength with age. The more I am quoted the more I am believed. I flourish at every level of society. My victims are helpless. They cannot protect themselves against me because I have no name and no face. To track me down is impossible. The harder you try, the more elusive I become. I am nobody's friend.
Once I tarnish a reputation, it is never the same. I topple governments & wreck marriages. I ruin careers and cause sleepless nights, heartache, & indigestion. I spawn suspicion and generate grief. I make innocent people cry in their pillows. Even my names hisses. I am called Gossip, Office Gossip, Shop Gossip, Party Gossip, Telephone Gossip, Organizational Gossip. I make headlines and headaches.
Before you repeat a story ask yourself is it true? Is it necessary? If not -- Shut Up! If you spend as much time praying as you do talking about others behind their backs, you would be further ahead spiritually.
Leviticus 19:16 / Proverbs 11:13, 16:28, 18:8, 19:5, 20:19, 25:18, 23 / Psalms 24:13, 52:2, 101:5, 141:3 / Matthew 12:37 / Ephesians 4:29 / 1 Timothy 5:13 / 1 Peter 4:15 / James 1:19