October 14, 2011
A Slice of Cheesecake, or Dirt?
Rachel Olsen
"The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts." Proverbs 18:8 (NIV)
Get-togethers with my friends or family
typically wind up /the same way. The men gather /by the grill or TV, and
talk /about music or sports. Meanwhile, the women congregate /in the
kitchen/ for some old-fashioned "girl-talk."
For women, people and relationships tend /to be
the common ground of conversation. We (women) are the more emotional and
relational gender. And of course we gather/ in the kitchen-it's the heart
of the home. Plus, that's where the food is. After all, girl-talk is
deliciously enhanced /by coffee or cheesecake.
However, there is a side of girl-talk that is dangerous and addictive. It's called gossip.
Why do we gossip? I believe () it's the same
reason () we do other things () we know () we shouldn't, like flirt with the
boss, or gorge ourselves on cheesecake-because it's pleasurable.
In the case of gossiping, we like the feeling
of being "in the know." At least for the moment, we can command
everyone's attention. Eyes widen and adrenalin pulses //as we tell our
friends the unbelievable news. They hang on our every word.
Hearing gossip can make us feel almost as good
as telling it - like we've been chosen and trusted /with a secret.
Gossiping feels good to everyone - except those who are the object of it.
When I look /inward /at my own motives for
gossiping, what I see is not appetizing. I see pride, carelessness and
judgment. I see a self-serving attitude that likes the feelings () gossip
brings. Although gossip may taste good /at the time, just like too much
cheesecake, it can negatively affect my well-being. Gossip goes down
/into my soul /bringing with it the weight of guilt and sin.
* 분사 bringing 은 주어 gossip 수식 즉 분사의 동작을 주어가 함
I've come /to realize that when I dish the dirt, or even listen to it, I'm serving dirt /to my own soul.
Next time the girls gather, I've decided () I'm
going to fast /from gossiping. I've pre-decided () I'll redirect the
conversation, or simply excuse myself /to the bathroom when gossip
arises. I don't wish to dish or devour dirt. When my heart is sensitive/
to God's, gossip only gives me a sick feeling later.
I will, however, have a cup of coffee and small serving of dessert. Which would you rather enjoy-a slice of cheesecake, or dirt?
Dear Lord, please forgive me /for
gossiping. I know that it hurts others and harms me as well. Help me be
sensitive /to when I'm starting to gossip and give me the courage /to hold
my tongue or change the subject. Fill me /with words of wisdom,
discernment and encouragement. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
For her favorite fall cheesecake recipe and a chance to win a copy of her book It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know, visit Rachel's blog today.
It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know by Rachel Olsen
God's Purpose for Every Woman a P31 Devotion book by various P31 authors with General Editors Lysa TerKeurst and Rachel Olsen
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Application Steps:
Pray the prayer above and commit to neither dish nor digest gossip
today. If you read celebrity gossip online or in magazines, fast from
that as well.
Reflections:
Have I ever jumped full force into a gossipy conversation? Have I regretted it later?
If I regretted it, how did I handle that regret? If I didn't regret it, what might that tell me about the condition of my soul?
God is fully able and willing to cleanse us of the dirt we've spoken or ingested.
Power Verses:
Proverbs 11:13, "A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret." (NIV)
2 Thessalonians 3:11-12,
"Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work
and meddling in other people's business. We command such people and urge
them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to
earn their own living." (NLT)
Psalm 139:4, "Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely." (NIV)
© 2011 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
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Matthews, NC 28105
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