I Got Some Juicy Information About...........

Have you ever been greeted by a family member, co-worker, neighbor or friend with that line. "Hey, I know something that I have to share with you, but you have to promise not to tell anyone!" And what do we do, we fall hook line and sinker and say, "i won't, tell me." The next thing we know we are jammed packed with the good stuff. We know something about someone that no one else knows. WOW! We feel powerful over that person. It gives us a false sense of security in ourselves. Unfortunately this type of behavior is the norm in our society and very few people take a stance. What would happen if all of us stood up and said, "Nope, stop there. I'm NOT interested in hearing anything about anyone." Wow, that would take some awesome courage, but would be cool to see.

Yesterday we looked at James 3 to see what God has to say about the tongue, but specifically about gossiping. It is like a small spark that explodes into a massive wild fire. We can control such massive things like horses, ships with tiny things, but this small tongue we cannot control at all. The truth be known, the Bible says that the heart reveals the true you. The mouth only says what is in the heart. So the challenge is this week to ask God to give us a new heart, then to also step back and take some time to think about what I will say in response to someone. My natural tendency is to reply instantly, but that is NOT always the right response.

I was sent this email about a man and his office that take the issue of gossip very seriously. How cool would it be if everyone took this approach. Check it out.

Sam Chapman, founder of Empower Public Relations in Chicago, Illinois, has banned gossip in his office. Two years ago, Chapman left a larger company where office backbiting was epidemic and damaged both careers and morale. Now he calls the shots, and one of his primary rules is that if you have something to say to or about a colleague, you must say it to their face.

The penalty for breaking this rule is stiff. "If you're committed to gossip," Chapman says, "you get fired."

While censoring water cooler conversation was difficult at first, most Empower employees appreciate the environment honesty creates. If they must vent, they do so elsewhere. "If I still have some unresolved issues at the end of the day," says Empower executive Jayne Spottswood, "I save the drama for my mama."

["Caution: This Office Is a Gossip-Free Zone," ABC News online, 11-13-07]

Philip Thurman