Rumors and Gossip

A Prayer to Cover Your Mouth

Lord, Jesus, guard my mouth so that my words will be few. Help me to be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger (James 1:19). Don't let me speak reckless words that can pierce like swords. Instead, give me a tongue that brings healing (Proverbs 12:18). Don't let me give in to gossip or speak careless critical words that will wound others. Keep the enemy far from me so that no unwholesome talk comes out of my mouth but only what is helpful for building others up, according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Don't let me grieve the Holy Spirit through my words (Ephesians 4:29-30).

Rumors and gossip can completely ruin the reputation of people, discredit causes, and undermine morale; spreading them is often used as a way some people get their jollies. However, if you remain alert, you can detect them effectively. A rumor is a social phenomenon that needs at least one person to create and spread it, as well as many others to modify and transmit it.  (Don’t be worried about what the world thinks of you; people talk, let them. You do not have to answer for them before Jesus; they do.)

Rumors usually arise to influence the thoughts or behavior of people with a specific purpose. Although at first, you cannot prove their veracity, it doesn’t take long for them to spread. At any rate, it’s because rumors tend to be shocking or controversial.

But remember, if your friends are gossiping to you about other people behind their backs, it’s likely they’re gossiping about you behind yours.

 “Whoever gossips to you, will gossip about you.” ~ Spanish Proverb

Negative gossip strengthens bonds between people and makes you feel good. So it’s easy to see why people gossip and for what reason spreading rumors can be so pervasive. It can be hard to step away from a gossiping circle.

Now if you have time to spread rumors or gossip, then wouldn't your time be spent better than to SHARE THE WORD OF GOD!

Despite what you may think, anyone — yes, even you — can fall prey to believing and spreading rumors or disinformation. And in an information landscape in which we are flooded with news, rumors, conspiracy theories, and lies, discerning fact from fiction can become overwhelming and seem insurmountable.

What disinformation research shows:

• People tend to spread information—or disinformation—that affirms their beliefs or identities.

• Beliefs are very closely tied to identity within a group or community, and people are more likely to believe misinformation that comes from people within their circles or family. (Yes, that would mean family members spreading gossip, rumors, or lies when they can’t even clean up their own lives first.)

• An individual’s level of anxiety can magnify the belief in and spread of disinformation. If someone feels uncertain or fearful for reasons completely unrelated to the piece of news, they are more likely to pay attention to and believe that information because it is consistent with the emotions they feel at the time.

• Anxiety plays a huge role in the phenomenon of selective exposure: anything that introduces a threat to an individual’s identity will instigate them to seek comforting, congenial information as opposed to anything that goes against ideas they already hold.

• Individuals are equally susceptible to believing disinformation, regardless of political leanings.

“There are a lot of people just spreading misinformation, and they might be doing it unintentionally. They might falsely believe it because they’ve been on a diet of misinformation for so long. So those are people who are probably susceptible. They probably need to be addressed differently from the people who are like, you know, political parties or other countries spreading misinformation, disinformation. … There’s a whole other group of people that … just need help getting good information and have been misled.”

If someone is talking behind your back and you find out, the first thing you should do is take a pause and process that information.

Second, if gossiping makes you uncomfortable, try your best to avoid participating in or listening to it.

In some cases, it may be best to ignore the gossip and not give it unnecessary attention, as rumors often fade over time. Remind yourself that the actions of others do not define your worth or character, and focus on building resilience in the face of gossip, because you are above nasty rumors.

(In the end, you have only God to trust with it all. You need to stay on the straight and narrow and not worry about what others think of you. Let it go. People talk; why, who knows? There are a million reasons why they do it, but in the end, again, stay out of the gutter and don’t air your dirty laundry.)

This I do know: stay close to God and His words, and pray, yes, even for those spreading disinformation.

Always remember there was only one who was perfect, and we all should see “Him” soon and answer for our lives.

GO WITH GOD AND HAVE A BLESSED LIFE

 

(From a Shane Mullins sermon: We must be self-controlled. A self-controlled Christian is serious about their walk with Christ. It doesn't say you are a perfect follower of Christ; no, but you take it seriously. It is a priority. It is important to you.)