TOXIC TALK

We love to know and share rumors and secrets. The more scandalous they are, the more fun they can be to share. We often forget to stop to consider if it is true or not. We adjust or fill in the details, exaggerating here and there so we can get the right reaction. We become storytellers of the worst kind. We want to know about disputes and give our opinion. We are drawn to conflict. We want to hear and watch others go down.

 A simple conversation becomes an opportunity to speak negatively about someone. Maybe we hold a prejudice against someone and secretly want others to share that prejudice, weaving opinions into a conversation to get the others to agree, “Oh, yes, he is so much like this” or “It’s absolutely horrible how she gets away with that.”

Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.” Proverbs 26:20.

If we accept everything we hear about others as fact right away, it shows how close the sin of gossip and backbiting is to us. Even letting the idea run around in our minds is the first step on the path towards division and strife. Lies spread like wildfire.

Before you spread that tale THINK!
T - is it True
H - is it Helpful
I -  is it Inspiring
N - is it Necessary
K - is it Kind