Defend your family!

Gossip is almost viewed now as random and 'harmless' chitchat among believers.

Proverbs 13.3 says 'He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.'

Gossip is negative and destructive. We see from Nehemiah that the enemy will try and divide from within, and gossip will always be one of the ways of division.

When someone confides in you about somebody else's private matters, when you listen and respond, you are then trapped and ensared and you encourage the gossip.

As believers lets aim to stop gossip as soon as we here it no matter the cause. Defend your family in God. Remember that listening is also participating in the gossip. Be an encourager and look for the best in others.(1st Timothy 5.22)

So lets not 'did you hear that Pastor...' or 'let me tell you what she said...'

Gossip strives in secrecy. Gossip is stopped when the secrecy is exposed.

Nehemiah 4.14