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On a windy day in March 1997, a father and his son visited Valley Forge National Historical Park, where George Washington stationed the Revolutionary Army during the harsh winter of 1777-1778. The father and son wanted to launch a model rocket. Initially, they tried using electric ignition wires to light the fuse. That did not work. Next, they tried lighting the fuse with a sparkler, the kind seen on the Fourth of July.
With this second effort, sparks ignited a grass fire. The wind quickly spread the blaze. A field where the Revolutionary soldiers had trained was burned up. The fire came within a half mile of George Washington's headquarters.
Thirty units from twelve fire departments fought the fire for an hour before bringing it into control. At last, thirty acres were charred. The father with the sparkler was charged with destruction of government property and use of fireworks.
Editor, Craig Brian Larson, says, "Like the sparkler, gossip never seems as dangerous as it really is."
*Craig Brian Larson. Choice Contemporary Stories and Illustrations.
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The Book of Proverbs shows us the central role that gossip can play in quarreling among persons:
20 Fire goes out without wood,
and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.
*Proverbs 26.20, NLT
Paul writes to the Ephesians a guideline for speech, and gossip or defaming another person's character is excluded from such wisdom in using the tongue. Indeed, we can speak a truth about someone and it not need to be spoken; we can speak a truth about someone and it do a needless harm to him or her. Truth spoken, when the tongue ought to remain silent, can be a harsh, selfish act.
29 When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need—words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you.
*Ephesians 4.29, NCV
Possibly, at times, we gossip for it helps us feel better than another person. Maybe, gossip is, occasionally, an attempt to make ourselves feel justified and the other appear the totally-guilty one.
In the Hebrew Scripture, an accuser at court had to have multiple witnesses. No one could be judged on just the accuser's claim. What if we followed the same wisdom, seeking not to take sides, but simply to pray for all parties involved in a dispute or difference?
15 “You must not convict anyone of a crime on the testimony of only one witness. The facts of the case must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
*Deuteronomy 19.15, NLT
The New Testament gives a counter-move to gossip ~ seek to restore a person.
1 Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual should restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so you won't be tempted also.
*Galatians 6.1, NCSB
The Greek verb "restore" in Galatians 6.1 is katartizo. Katartizo was used for repairing something that had been torn or broken. That last thing a broken or torn person needs is for persons to step on it by gossip or tear it more by words of judgment.
Really, we are not above falling into brokenness or being torn by making mistakes minor or major. So, Paul writes: "... watching out for yourselves so you won't be tempted also." Yes, we have each committed sins of the body or spirit that have hurt others and ourselves. Until a person is humble enough to admit his or her own proneness to human fallibility, he or she is not ready to help restore the other. This may be why some of the most humble servants of Christ are men and women who admitted the depths to which they had fallen and from which Grace saved them.
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1. Why do you think many persons enjoy gossiping?
2. Have you ever been deeply hurt by gossip? Explain.
3. Have you ever hurt another person by gossip? Explain.
4. What do you think Paul meant by restoring the person who has committed a fault? Have you ever been restored spiritually by the meek kindness of another person or persons? Explain.
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*Charitable contributions would be appreciated to assist Brian in the continuance of his work of ministry. For contributions, contact Brian at barukhattah@embarqmail.com .
*Brian's book of mystical love poetry, An Ache for Union: Oneness with God through Love, can be ordered through major booksellers, or through the Cokesbury on-line store, at www.cokesbury.com .
*Brian K. Wilcox lives with his two beloved dogs, St. Francis and Bandit Ty, in Southwest Florida. He serves the Christ Community United Methodist Church, Punta Gorda, FL. Brian is vowed at Greenbough House of Prayer, a contemplative Christian community in South Georgia. He lives a contemplative life and inspires others to experience a more intimate relationship with Christ. Brian advocates for a spiritually-focused Christianity and renewal of the focus of the Church on addressing the deeper spiritual needs and longings of persons, along with empathic relating with other world religions, East and West. Brian has an independent writing, workshop, and retreat ministry, for all spiritual seekers.
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