Gossip

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. (Exodus 20:16)

Also known as the Eighth Commandment.

When I was a principal, I learned people used gossip as leverage. They used it to: a. Keep me in the know by being "in the know" about who was saying what; or, b. Tell me people were saying "uncomplimentary things" about me, my leadership, or an action I had taken (or was alleged to have taken). They usually finished their reports with, "I just felt you should know."

I grew weary of it very quickly. Ending this was easy to be honest. If you've ever read Matthey 18, you know exactly how I handled it. "15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother."

The gossiper is a manipulator. While appearing to be knowledgeable or helpful, he or she does not want his or her name attached to the gossip, so the quickest way to deal with it is to call his or her bluff. "I'll get my secretary to call her down here immediately," I'd respond, or "I'll set up a meeting with you, me and her." That usually ended it 9 out of 10 times because the gossiper would say, "I don't want her knowing I shared this with you."

"Then we don't have a problem," I said. Anonymity is the gossip's weapon. Shedding light on it, or on him or her, is the solution. The only time anonymity is good is in assuring someone that the source will remain confidential if someone is about to harm him or herself or a child. 

Gossip is as deadly as murder in some cases. Careers have ended with a groundswell of ill-will or "gossip." People, including children, have taken their own lives over bullying under the guise of "gossip." The going advice among school lawyers is every teacher, administrator, or superintendent should google him or herself at least once a day in order to see if any malicious sites or accounts have been created in his or her name in order to address it quickly, swiftly and legally if need be. 

God gave us a voice and the gift of language to minister to one another. Words have power and can be healing. We've managed to misuse it and abuse this gift by using it for our own gain. 

Christ, himself, went to the cross under false accusations created by people intending to stir a crowd, arouse passions, and call for his execution. He also went to the cross to die and rise again to forgive this sin.

Pray with me; Gracious Father, Forgive me when I do not treat my neighbor as myself. Forgive me when I do ill-will in the name of my neighbor by spreading rumors, falsehoods or truthful information intended to harm, tarnish, or puff myself up. Give me courage to speak to my neighbor if I feel the need to confront an issue with him or her, and bring words that solve the problem I bring to his or her's attention. In Christ's name, Amen.