As children we all learn the little song “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me.” What rubbish! Words hurt, and gossip kills. It kills the soul.
Kevin A. Miller has shared nine great questions to ask yourself before you share information with others:
- Am I telling this to someone who can do something about the problem by helping the person or offering discipline or correction?
- If not, am I telling this to someone who is wise enough to help me sort out my feelings and courageous enough to make me do the right thing: to confront the person or to confess where I was at fault?
- Is this news approved for sharing?
- Am I breaking a confidence? If so, is it only because the person is endangering someone’s life, including his or her own?
- Am I willing to say from whom I got this information so the information can be checked for accuracy?
- When I say this, does it break my heart?
- Have I taken the time to examine my life and confess to God how I also sin like that?
- Am I praying for the person?
- Would I feel comfortable if someone were saying this about me?
What questions would you add to this list?
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“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be” (James 3:9-10).
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