Gossip Destroys Integrity
By Rick Warren
“A gadabout gossip can’t be trusted with a secret, but someone of integrity won’t violate a confidence” (Proverbs 11:13 The Message).
Your relationships are one of the primary ways you show integrity. Relational integrity means you don’t talk one way about people in front of them and a different way behind their backs.
In other words, you don’t gossip: “A gadabout gossip can’t be trusted with a secret, but someone of integrity won’t violate a confidence” (Proverbs 11:13 The Message).
What is gossip? Gossip is talking about a situation with someone who is neither the problem nor a part of the solution. Often, when we do it, it’s because gossip makes us feel a bit more important at someone else’s expense. We’re talking about their hurts and their problems to make us feel like we’re morally superior. That’s the danger and the hurt of gossip.
The Bible says if you’re acting as a gossip, you can’t be trusted. Today, we see gossip run rampant on social media, even among Christians. We need men and women of integrity who know how to keep a confidence and not spread everything they hear through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and all the other channels we have to communicate today.
Gossip, whether it’s on social media or in person, will tear churches apart. That’s why at Saddleback we’ve made it a rule that what is said in a small group stays there. Everyone needs a safe place with a few friends where they can be real and not have to worry that what they say will go public.
God says, “Anyone who spreads gossip is a fool” (Proverbs 10:18 GNT).
No one wants to be a fool. Spreading gossip doesn’t just hurt the people you’re talking about. It also hurts you by weakening and destroying your relationships.
You demonstrate integrity when you can be trusted to keep a confidence and to not speak behind someone’s back.
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Fill Your Home with Joy and Hope this Christmas!
With Christmas right around the corner, we want to help you spend the holidays worshipping instead of worrying. Slowing down and reconnecting with God. And expressing gratitude for the true meaning of the season.
That’s why Pastor Rick and his wife Kay created the Daily Hope Advent devotional booklet with a companion calendar. This 2-part resource is the perfect way to prepare your heart for the real celebration.
Praise God for the gift of Jesus and build joyful anticipation as Christmas draws near with the 24-day devotional booklet, featuring a special family activity each Sunday. And enjoy the beautiful, custom artwork of the Advent calendar, with a special door for every day of December that opens to reveal a hidden image and encouraging Bible verse.
We’ll send you the Advent devotional booklet and calendar as thanks for your gift below to help share the gift of Jesus with more people through Daily Hope. Be sure to request yours today so that you can start using it on December 1!
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This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
You can listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.
