Dr. Gary VanDeWalker

Evangelical Free Church of Mount Shasta

July 13

Gossip

Proverbs 11:11-13

July 13              The Monsters Within:  `                                                                       

Mummy:  Gossip…Proverbs 11:11-13

1.         Introduction:  The Monster Words Released

Gossip:  "Idle talk or rumor, esp. about the personal or private affairs of others."

2.         Gossip has three powers;

            It destroys other people

            It makes a joke of people made in God’s image

            It betrays the confidence people have in us

3.         Christ centered words have three powers:

            They exalt what God sees in people –Prov. 16:24

            They understand what a person needs  -Prov. 17:27

            They are trustworthy - 1 Timothy 4:12

4.         How to respond like Christ to Gossip

            --Speak the truth in love to the gossiper –Eph. 4:15

            --Walk away –Ecc. 7;5

            --Speak Christ’s truth - Eph. 4:25

5.         How to entomb the gossip monster

--Only speak well of people(Rom. 12:10).

-- Keep private matters private (Prov. 11:13; 25:9-10).

-- Beware of sharing a concern which is really gossip

-- Challenge gossip by saying:

“How can I help them?"

"I feel uncomfortable with this conversation."

"Have you gone to speak with this person privately?"
Ask yourself:  "Am I gossiping?"

Chinese proverb: "Speak only well of people and you need never whisper."

                                    --Only say what you would if Christ were physically standing there.

                                    He is really there anyway.

Hook:

            1.  What is an urban myth or a rumor you heard that took you by surprise?

            2.  What is some news that you just couldn’t wait to tell?

Book:

            3.  Read James 3:1-12

            4.  If can control your tongue all the time, what is true about you?
                                                      
            5.  How is the tongue like a horse bit or a rudder?

                                                                       6.  What potential does our tongue have?  What can it do to us?

                                                                       7.  What hope do you have to tame your own tongue?

                                                                       8.  How is our tongue double-minded? 

                                                           Look:

                                                                       9.  What does our tongue reveal about our hearts?  (Mark 7:19-21)

                                                                      10.  What should our words reflect?  (Colossians 4:6)

                                                                      11.  With what other sins is gossip compared?  (Romans 1:29)

                                                          12.  How is gossip a problem of the tongue?  How is it a problem of the heart?

                                                Took:

                                                          13.  If you hear gossip this week, what will you do?  What is your plan?

                                              14.  Where do you find it most easy to get caught up in gossip?  What will you do next time you are there?

                                              15.  Who is someone you can affirm to others this week?  How will you do this?

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