If we would recommend to a recovering drug-addict, that they need to stay away from other drug-addicts... or friends of bad influence, then we should probably stay away from other back-biters, whisperers, wicked-tongues, gossipers... until we are strong enough in Jesus to be different.
 

Galations 5:15 NIV "If you keep on back-biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other."

Psalms 34:12-14 "Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies."

In most of my writings, the word ‘gossip’ appears often, along with other addictions, because ‘gossip’ has hurt me personally (the most) over the years, but I am guilty of gossip too (are you?), but we can STRIVE to be better!!! We can seek God's deliverance (to learn how to fight addiction, click HERE)

Jesus spoke a powerful message about the words that come out of our mouths: Matthew 15:15-20

People gossip for many reasons:

1. Because they have a low opinion of themselves, and by talking negatively about others (behind their backs), makes them feel empowered (they feel better), because they think it lifts them ‘up’ (makes them look better, more righteous?)
2. Because they have nothing better to do.
3. Because a DEMON has a good hold of their tongue (I’m only speculating).
4. Because they were teased by kids in school – see # 1.
5. Because they can’t help it like any other addiction!
6. Because they are just being 'polite' in conversation, and not stopping the other person (jumping on the band wagon).

Today, I trust VERY FEW people (not only because of my child abuse). Maybe this is a good thing (to not trust so easily), because it has drawn me to Jesus Christ, my very best friend (who doesn’t talk negatively behind my back). For many years, I tried to receive help from family, work, school, friends… only to find myself hurt even worse, because of the GOSSIP. (again, I am just as GUILTY!!!)

The wicked-tongue devours the ‘best of Christians’: preachers (especially their wives and children), missionaries, teachers, decons, treasurers… If a new Christian is ON FIRE for the LORD, the huge flames can be soaked down by hurtful tongues!!!

I know some sweet-hearted Christians with a strong passion for following Jesus, yet GOSSIP is the ONE problem that hurts their ministry the MOST. Many lost people blame these Christians for their lack of interest in the church and Jesus... and the consequences can be devistating and eternal.

I've heard many words from lost people, that they would rather hang around people that are not judgmental people (speaking about Christians), and that they would rather take their chances out on the road. Which is extremely sad to me. Please don't connect these negative issues to Jesus Christ.

IF you are one of those people who hates church for this reason, then please listen to me. Try church again, but this time only go to church for Jesus, find a church that seems to be (not so judgmental), try really hard to find the Christians that rarely gossip (there are many). Jesus will bless you for going to church, because he compares the church to His bride that He is coming back for. Jesus knows the problems of the church. But, Jesus tells us that where 2 or more Christians gather in His name that He will be there also. 
 

Before I end this inspiration with Scripture (which there are many more verses in the Bible on the wicked-tongue than any other sin), I would like to express my heart.

Yes, I am a Christian. Yes, I have my problems. Yes, I forgive you for speaking ill of me behind my back (be thankful I am a Christian). Please forgive me, I am SORRY if I've ever hurt you by gossip.

Folks, gossip has hurt me the most!!! The people I love the most can be BRUTAL, and vice-versa. And that is a REAL SHAME to admit, but it’s the TRUTH!!! It is also a REAL SHAME, because I am a good person to be friends with!!!

If you have been hurt deeply by the wicked tongue, please don’t connect this to God. The Bible speaks highly against it, as you will read below.
 

If you’re main ‘sin’ is your wicked tongue, then I suggest you stop speaking ill of people, and focus on saying some SORRIES! Just like an ADDICT, you may have to stay away from the friends who cause you to sin.

If your tongue is hurting your serving heart, please click HERE!

If you want to know what church should be about, click HERE!

If you need a friend (Jesus), please call 1-8888-NEED-HIM (24 hours/day). Call now! And receive an added BONUS = Heaven.

Please don't forget the Scriptures below and the music videos.
 

God Bless!

In His Hands,

Please let the healing begin.

Glen Davidson

Jeremiah 20:10-20 "I hear many whispering, "Terror on every side! Report him! Let's report him!" All my friends are waiting for me to slip, saying "Perhaps he will be deceived; then we will prevail over him and take our revenge on him." But the Lord is with me like a mighty warrior; so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail. They will fall and be thoroughly disgraced; their dishonor will never be forgotten. O Lord Almighty, you who examine the righteous and probe the heart and mind, let me see your vengeance upon them for you have I committed my cause."

I do not want vengeance upon anyone!!!  Only God's grace, love, mercy, blessings... Thank God He does not give us what we deserve (Psalms 103).

I Timothy 2:8 "I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, 'without' anger or disputing.

Psalms 109:3-5 "With words of hatred they surround me; they attack me without cause. In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer. They repay me good for hatred for my friendship."

Psalms is full of verses just like the one above. When King David speaks of evil and wicked people, he relates them to the arrogant, proud and their wicked tongues.

Psalms 123:3-4 "Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us, for we have endured much contempt. We have endured much ridicule from the proud, and much contempt from the arrogant."

Psalms 140:1-5 "Rescue me, O Lord, from evil men; protect me from men of violence, who devise evil plans in their hearts and stir up war every day. They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent's; the poison of vipers is on their lips. Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; protect me from men of violence who plan to trip my feet. Proud men how hidden a snare for me; they have spread out the cords of their path."

Psalms 140:7-9 "O Sovereign Lord, my strong deliverer, who sheilds my head in the day of battle, do not grant the wicked their desires, O Lord; do not let their plans succeed, or they will become proud. Let the heads of those who surround me be covered with the trouble their lips have caused."

Mark 12:13-14a "Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. They came to him and said, "Teacher, we know you are a man of integrity, you aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the TRUTH." Mark 12:15 "...But Jesus knew their hypocrisy, "Why are you trying to trap me..."

James 1:26-27 "If anyone considers himself righteous and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being poluted by the world."

IF you need rest from it all, please listen to the 3rd video!!!