Integrity and Gossip

Today in chapel Bill Fisher talked about Integrity.  It was a really good chapel.  He talked about how being a Christian with integrity doesn't mean that you are perfect, but it does mean that when you do screw up you handle it with integrity.  He also talked about the idea that we take tiny quarter turns in the wrong direction.   know that may not make complete sense to you, but it does to me.  He also talked about having integrity means that who you are at home and by yourself is the same as who you are around others.

As I had a little one-on-one time with God, I really thought about the idea of gossip.  For me gossip is my biggest uarter turn in the wrong direction.  It is something that I find myself struggling with constantly.  I love to know what is going on in people's lives...I am a people person by nature.  I think it is okay to want to have an interest in people in my life, but I need to focus on building that relationship with those people directly and not talking about them behind their backs.  One thing I also noticed was how I justify talking about people...I find myself justifying it by saying that I'm "worried about them" and feel the need to discuss those worries with someone.  Or I will call my mom to "vent" about something that happened and in turn find myself gossiping. In Ephesians 4:29 it says, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only
what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."  I need to use my words to build others up and not put them down.


So I am a gossiper.  What can I do about it?  How can I change my actions?  I am making a conscience decision to remove myself from situations when gossip in action.  This will be very hard for me.  I live with girls...and as all girls know we tend to get gossipy alot.  I have always said I need to not gossip as much....well now I am actually going to do something about it.  I tied a piece of hemp around my wrist as a visual reminder.  I am going to ask my roommates to keep me accountable and to be praying for me.   I encourage any one to join me in this endeavor....let me know so I can be praying for you as well.

God Bless
KJA