Bitterness has the same effect as hemlock! Recently I had a conversation with a couple who were deeply hurt by gossip in the church. They dropped out of a prayer group because of this gossip. It had - at some point - focused on their family. They are still hurt and angry about it. I wonder how long ago this offense took place.
Their report affected me too. I also feel the bitterness of betrayal that results from gossip. Most churches struggle to keep their prayer chain from becoming a gossip chain! Our craving to know details often supersedes our genuine compassion. We share intimacies not because we care, but because it gives us a feeling of power to know something that others don't know. It's evil.
Psalm 141:3-7 The Voice (VOICE)
Guard my mouth, O Eternal One;
control what I say.
Keep a careful watch on every word I speak.
Don’t allow my deepest desires to steer me toward doing what is
wrong or associating with wicked people
Or joining in their wicked works or tasting any of their pleasures.
control what I say.
Keep a careful watch on every word I speak.
Don’t allow my deepest desires to steer me toward doing what is
wrong or associating with wicked people
Or joining in their wicked works or tasting any of their pleasures.
We need Your help to keep our words appropriate and just.
When we have been hurt by gossip, help us to forgive.
When we have hurt others by gossip, help us to seek forgiveness and make amends.
Help us to remember that "...the tongue is a flame of fire. It is full of wickedness, and poisons every part of the body...Men have trained, or can train, every kind of animal or bird...but no human being can tame the tongue. It is always ready to pour out its deadly poison."
Help those whose trust has been destroyed to heal.
Hold those accountable who take delight in hurting others!
Let Your Kingdom come, O Lord, through the power of Your Holy Spirit at work within us!
Amen.
[The scripture quoted in the prayer is from James 3:6-8 (NLT)]
Have a Nice Day Hal!
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