Internet Gossip

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.James 3:9 (NIV)

This has been one of those weeks where I wished that verse was tattooed into my brain and like a beacon, every time I said something stupid, that beacon would flash right in front of my eyes and say STOP!!!!!

Sorry to say, no beacon and I didn't stop. Even if I did have that beacon, I'd probably do one of those California stops and roll right on through that "stop sign".

Why do I say all of this you ask?

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.2Corinthians 10:5(NIV)

I've tried over the years to work on thinking before I speak. Over the years, I've also tried to be very careful about what other are saying around me. Gossip is one of those things that kind of gets passed over when it comes to the Christian life, in my opinion. And because of that, I've tried to be careful about what I say, the conversations I've had and who I hang out with. That's not to say that I don't gossip or haven't ever done so. I'm human, I'm female and I most certainly have. Regret it too. And because I regretted it, I am very, very, very particular about friends. 

Why? Because women like to talk. That's just the truth. Talk & talk & talk; talk until before you know it, it turns into gossip. I've seen it happen too many times. Seen it happen too many times in the church; every church I've been in. From people in leadership too. It's not something I need in my life; got enough drama thank you very much. I already know I'm a sinner and the weaknesses I have; don't need to add gossiper in there too,.

Having said all that, I found a loophole in this scenario. 10 loopholes to be exact. My 10 little fingers. Fingers you ask? Yes, I say, fingers. And how could that be you ask? Let me tell you, I say.

The internet. The internet has enabled thoughts to be shared quickly and "almost" without filter. The delete button can work but if it only takes a copy/paste, "save as", print page, Re-Tweet, "Comment", "Like" or whatever to keep your opinion out there forever.

Thoughts flow from our brains to our fingers when we're on Facebook, Twitter, etc. Our fingers type out those thoughts on the computer. The question is whether we take those thoughts captive or not before we hit ENTER. Sometimes we read something and immediately feel like we have to respond. Before you know it, you've "said" (typed out) something that you regret. Just like gossip.

With gossip, we hear a conversation about someone, we have an opinion or information to share, and before you know it we've said something about the topic. And we are now caught up in gossip. 

As stated earlier, this was one of those weeks that I did not take those thoughts captive. I did not step back before I reacted. I did not pause and think about what I was "saying" (typing) before I hit enter. I just read things, got caught up in it, shared that information with others without "thinking" that maybe, just maybe, what I was reading wasn't true.

And so, I blog. As the title of my blog says "Rebellious Saint/Perfect Sinner". If we're begin honest, which I hope we are, we are all rebellious at some point. And, we all sin:

"..for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23(NIV)



I'll keep working at it......with God's help. Thank you Jesus.

Until next time,
RSPS Sunny