Hi ladies and Happy Wednesday! I pray your week is productive and you have the joy of the Lord with you today. Today we will be discussing choosing graciousness over gossip. Open your Bibles to Psalm 141:3 & Matthew 12:33-37. “We must keep our hearts centered on Christ and rooted in the gospel.”
Gossip is an age-old temptation—a whisper in the ear that promises connection but often delivers division. It’s an alluring trap, masked as harmless conversation, yet the Bible consistently warns against the spiritual and relational damage gossip can cause. Instead, it calls us to pursue graciousness, reflecting Christ in how we speak and interact with others. The words we speak have great power—to build up or to tear down, to give life or to destroy. Psalm 141:3 reminds us of the importance of restraint, “Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” David’s prayer is one of humility and wisdom, acknowledging that without God’s help, our speech can easily stray from righteousness. It’s a call to vigilance, inviting God to guide us in speaking only what is truthful, kind, and edifying. In Matthew 12:33-37, Jesus teaches that our words are a reflection of our hearts, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Choosing graciousness over gossip isn’t just about refraining from harmful speech; it’s about transforming the very condition of our hearts. When we surrender our hearts to Christ, we begin to bear fruit that aligns with His character—words of love, grace, and encouragement. Gossip, on the other hand, stems from a heart that harbors envy, pride, or bitterness, and results in speech that dishonors God and others. Graciousness is contagious. When we choose to speak life, truth, and kindness, we set an example that inspires others. Proverbs 16:24 reminds us, “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Imagine the healing power of gracious speech in a world hungry for compassion and encouragement. Choosing graciousness over gossip is not just a moral choice; it’s an act of worship. By aligning our speech with the teachings of Scripture, we honor God, edify others, and reflect Christ’s love in our lives. As you navigate your daily interactions, remember the wisdom of Psalm 141:3 and the heart-centered teaching of Matthew 12:33-37. Let’s be people whose words bring healing, hope, and light to the world.
I understand that keeping gossip to ourselves can be a challenge, especially when it involves someone we dislike. But this is not honoring to our Father. Do we fully understand the power that our tongue holds? Our words can either spring life into others, or we can speak words of death. When we seek to eliminate gossip from our life, we also prove that we are trustworthy. If you are a boss, parent, friend, sibling, etc. you understand what I am saying. We do not trust those that gossip with information. We do not seek to counsel or be counseled by those who has loose tongues. If this is something that you struggle in, pray and ask God to help you walk in His words and continue to pursue His heart. Y’all, know I don’t leave you hangin’. Here are some ways that can help if you struggle with gossip:
Speak Life: Commit to affirming others and sharing encouragement whenever possible.
Pause and Pray: Before you speak, ask God to guide your words and search your heart for motives.
Redirect the Conversation: If gossip arises, steer the dialogue toward uplifting topics or remove yourself from the situation.
Let’s discuss what we just learned. I have some questions that I want you to think about, write them down, and if you’d like to comment below, we can discuss them together!
- In what ways do you struggle with gossip? What is your tendency to gossip rooted in?
- What practical steps can you take to prevent gossip?
- Pray Psalm 141:3 out loud, slowly, repeatedly, or adding to your prayer.
“As believers, let us be known for speaking words that build up and bring life.”
Today’s verse for Lent prayer is 1 Peter 3:18 and the prayer prompt is, “Consider the truth that Jesus suffered for your sins, and then respond with a prayer of thanksgiving to Jesus.”
I hope you enjoy this study and decide to come back. Tomorrow we will discuss Putting Humility in the Place of Pride. I hope you enjoy the beautiful sunset that was made by our loving Father and y’all have a wonderful night.