How Believers Should Respond To Gossip (Series 2)

As a believer, you respond to gossip especially about people you know or those in your household of faith firmly.

When gossip starts to turn into rumours about someone else, you must be prepared to end the conversation and call it out for what it is. 

Gossip does not honour God. For this reason before there is any more chatter, you must end the conversation now.”

That’s why God is depending on you to respond to gossip from His lense not necessarily what you think.

How Believers Should Respond To Gossip Explained 

There are various ways in which a believer should respond to gossip, and this article will discuss some of those ways.

1.Redirect The Conversation

The best way for believers to respond to gossip is to just change the topic of conversation. 

When someone starts talking about someone else who isn’t there have enough willpower to call the person to order.

Because that is how you need to respond to gossip as a believer, refocus the conversation, or switch the subject entirely. 

Certainly, you may find this awkward, 

but the message is received, that’s how to respond to gossip.

2.Give A Blank Stare

Giving a blank stare is one of the active ways to respond to gossip as a believer.

You should also respond as a believer by just staring straight ahead. 

To point out, once you show even the slightest bit of interest, you are already in before you realize it. 

So to respond to gossip, you maintain a neutral expression. 

Consequently, may I remind you that Proverbs 20:19 tells us that we are to avoid gossipers.

“One who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with gossip.”

The way we should respond to gossip as believers  is to  kill gossip whenever it comes knocking on our door.

3.Confront The Source Of The Rumor Directly

How believers should respond to gossip again is to confront the source of the rumour directly.

Just like Paul says in 1st Thessalonians 5:14a “ And we urge you, brothers, “to warn the unruly”,

While you have a chance, walk right up to them and say that you don’t appreciate the untrue things they have said. 

Stay calm and collected while doing this because as much as you want to point it must be done with wisdom.

Sometimesthe person who started the rumor didn’t do it on purpose, regardless this is not an excuse.

There is a way God intends for you to respond to gossip, kill it and not fuel it.

4.Keep A Healthy Self-image

As Christians, we sometimes have to respond to gossip in ways contrary to what we profess.

Owing to, the fact that gossip would make people think differently of you, avoid allowing gossip to alter your perception of you.

Recall that the mere assertion made by someone about you does not guarantee that it is accurate, that’s how you respond to gossip.

Besides, should someone feel at ease enough to slander you, without a doubt, they’ll feel at ease enough to lie.

Furthermore, do not retreat into silence so as not to have to hear yourself speak. 

God expects you to see yourself the way He sees you, that’s a good way to respond to gossip.

5.Tell An Authority Figure

This is one of the best scriptural ways to respond to gossip as a believer.

If a gossip about you being involved in something you didn’t do was spread by someone.

Speaking with someone in charge or an authority figure is a sure way to respond to gossip.

Because, these people are able to guide you through the issue since they possess the necessary judgment and wisdom.

They can comfort you, offer guidance on how to move forward, and even gave those who began the gossip disciplinary action.

Besides, talk to an authority figure if you feel like you may retaliate by doing something drastic.

This is how you should respond to gossip, not the other way round.

6.Stay Away From People Who Gossip

Believers should respond to gossip by staying away from people who gossip.

As nice or cool as they may seem, these people sometimes may be sad and desperate. 

Furthermore, find people who don’t get enjoyment from hurting people with the information they peddle.

Also, de-identify from the situation, or remind yourself that gossip is not a reflection of you.

We show our displeasure by not gossiping or giving gossip room to thrive in our midst.

Handling Gossip About Other People

Don’t Pass The Gossip Along, Pray

As believers one of the ways we handle gossip is by not passing it along.

Consequently, when you hear gossip about someone, the most crucial thing to do is put an end to them. 

As a believer, you should not respond to gossip by allowing it to flourish on your table.

Additionally, make an effort to spend as little time as possible around gossipers. 

You won’t be as inclined to gossip about other people or spread rumours about them.

Look For Facts, Not Rumors

Don’t start avoiding or antagonizing people just because you heard something bad about them. 

That’s an ungodly way to react, Christ is calling us to maturity.

It is imperative, you never change the way you think about someone until you have reason to believe the things you’ve heard are true.

That’s the way God expects us to respond to gossip as believers not the way unbelievers do.

If they are not verifyable then wisdom demands that you kill it

Before talking about someone else, stop and ask yourself: “Is what I’m about to say harmful or helpful?

Conclusion

There are ways God expects that you respond to gossip, whether it is about you or someone else.

It is imperative, you speak with the person who started the rumour.

Also, you can talk to an authority figure, trusting their judgement and wisdom on the matter.

Finally, always keep in mind that rumours reveal more about the other person than they do about you.

Above all, may the Lord give you a santified reasoning, rid you off foolish talk and cause your words to have life. IJN

You can read the article 5 Things The Believer Needs To Know About Gossip 

References

The Bible

Christianity.com